[comp.sys.ibm.pc] Anyone seen software for a Star Gemini-10 printer?

dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) (02/17/89)

I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
Anyway, if I try to do a "Print Screen" in graphics mode, it just
honks and beeps.  Has anyone seen any software, such as a "Print Screen"
interrupt handler, or .GIF printing utility, that is designed to work
with this printer?  Right not I cannot take advantage of the graphics
capabilitites.

Doug Braun				Intel Corp CAD
					408 765-4279

 / decwrl \
 | hplabs |
-| oliveb |- !intelca!mipos3!cadev4!dbraun
 | amd    |
 \ qantel /

bkbarret@sactoh0.UUCP (Brent K. Barrett) (02/19/89)

In article <3592@mipos3.intel.com>, dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) writes:
> I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
> it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
> Anyway, if I try to do a "Print Screen" in graphics mode, it just
> honks and beeps.  Has anyone seen any software, such as a "Print Screen"
 
 I do graphic dumps, GIF dumps (using CSHOW, The Grin, others) all
the time with my Star SG-10. You might check the mode you're in.
SG-10s have two different modes, Star and IBM. I am in IBM mode,
and have no problems when I set my system up to talk to an IBM
Graphics printer or an Epson MX-80 (RX-80).

-- 
 "Somebody help me! I'm trapped in this computer!"
  
 Brent Barrett ..pacbell!sactoh0!bkbarret GEMAIL: B.K.BARRETT

figlik@ihlpl.ATT.COM (Jim Figlik) (02/20/89)

In article <703@sactoh0.UUCP> bkbarret@sactoh0.UUCP (Brent K. Barrett) writes:
>In article <3592@mipos3.intel.com>, dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) writes:
>> I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
>> it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
>> Anyway, if I try to do a "Print Screen" in graphics mode, it just
>> honks and beeps.  Has anyone seen any software, such as a "Print Screen"
> 
> I do graphic dumps, GIF dumps (using CSHOW, The Grin, others) all
>the time with my Star SG-10. You might check the mode you're in.
>SG-10s have two different modes, Star and IBM. I am in IBM mode,
>and have no problems when I set my system up to talk to an IBM
>Graphics printer or an Epson MX-80 (RX-80).

The configuration of the printer is determined by two sets of DIP
switches on the left side of the printer (as you're looking at the
front). The second switch on the second block determines if the
printer is an "IBM" (OFF or down) or a "STAR" (ON or up).

My SG-10 is about 4 or 5 years old. At work there are some older
SG-10s that do not have the same capabilities as the one at home,
so your printer maybe different. The manual is Copyrighted 1984
and refers to the SG-10/15 (the 15 is the wide carriage version).

You might also check your local bbs's for a utility called PSET....ARC
which supports the SG-10 for setting from the keyboard different
settings (Pica, Elite, line spacing, etc).

Jim

-- 
 Name/Number:  Jim Figlik      (312) 979-3478
Organization:  CAP Gemini America @ AT&T Bell Labs, Indian Hill, IL
Elec.Address:  {world}!att!ihlpl!figlik
Phys.Address:  2000 N. Naperville Rd/IH 6U-212, Naperville, IL 60566-7033

dmt@mtunb.ATT.COM (Dave Tutelman) (02/21/89)

In article <703@sactoh0.UUCP> bkbarret@sactoh0.UUCP (Brent K. Barrett) writes:
>In article <3592@mipos3.intel.com>, dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) writes:
>> I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
>> it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
>> ... [ problem with graphic dumps ] ...
> 
> I do graphic dumps, GIF dumps (using CSHOW, The Grin, others) all
>the time with my Star SG-10. You might check the mode you're in.
>SG-10s have two different modes, Star and IBM. 

But, unfortuately, the Gemini-10 and -10x printers (predecessors to
the SG-10) have no IBM compatibility mode.  (I've owned one
for years, and spoke extensively with the Star Micronics support folks
when they were coming out with the SG-10; that was one of the reasons
for the SG-10.)

>> Anyway, if I try to do a "Print Screen" in graphics mode, it just
>> honks and beeps.  

However, it shouldn't be nearly as bad as Doug has it.  Are you sure
you have GRAPHICS.COM (or its equivalent for your machine) loaded.
What SHOULD happen with a GEMINI 10x is: you get a graphic dump, but
in "venetian blind" form.  That is, you get "slats" of pixels, interspersed
with "slats" of whitespace; all the pixels are there, and you could
reassemble the image with scissors and tape (though the aspect ratio
might be wrong).

You might be able to cure the venetian blind by sending the appropriate
escape sequence to the printer to adjust the inter-line spacing.
However, this won't work if the program you're using starts out by
resetting the printer.

Good luck!

+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|    Dave Tutelman						|
|    Physical - AT&T Bell Labs  -  Lincroft, NJ			|
|    Logical -  ...att!mtunb!dmt				|
|    Audible -  (201) 576 2442					|
+---------------------------------------------------------------+

jec@nesac2.UUCP (John Carter ATLN SADM) (02/21/89)

In article <9120@ihlpl.ATT.COM>, figlik@ihlpl.ATT.COM (Jim Figlik) writes:
> In article <703@sactoh0.UUCP> bkbarret@sactoh0.UUCP (Brent K. Barrett) writes:
> >In article <3592@mipos3.intel.com>, dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) writes:
] ]] I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
] ]] it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
] ]] Anyway, if I try to do a "Print Screen" in graphics mode, it just
] ]] honks and beeps.  Has anyone seen any software, such as a "Print Screen"
] ] 
] ] I do graphic dumps, GIF dumps (using CSHOW, The Grin, others) all
] ]the time with my Star SG-10. You might check the mode you're in.
] ]SG-10s have two different modes, Star and IBM. I am in IBM mode,
] ]and have no problems when I set my system up to talk to an IBM
] ]Graphics printer or an Epson MX-80 (RX-80).

Please read the original request carefully - the 10-X is NOT the same as the
SG-10.  The 10-X preceded the SG-10 by a couple of years.

There IS a graphics.com that works for the 10-X.  Try the IBM bbs's or
Compu$erve.  I had a version that I used until the line feed stepper died for
the second time (about $70 in parts) - I then bought a Panasonic 1080i which
does respond exactly to the normal graphics.com.  I doubt that I have a copy
of the 10-X graphics driver.
-- 
USnail: John Carter, AT&T, 401 W. Peachtree, FLOC 2932-6, Atlanta GA 30308
Video:	...att!nesac2!jec    Voice: 404+581-6239
The machine belongs to the company.  The opinions are mine.

mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP (Michael R. Volow) (02/22/89)

Not sure who the original poster was, but if he will respond E-mail,
I will return E-Mail a screen dump for Star Gemini.

M Volow, VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705   mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP

Erik@cup.portal.com (Erik - Dufek) (02/28/89)

In article <1411@mtunb.ATT.COM> dmt@mtunb.ATT.COM (Dave Tutelman) writes:
>In article <703@sactoh0.UUCP> bkbarret@sactoh0.UUCP (Brent K. Barrett) writes:
>>In article <3592@mipos3.intel.com>, dbraun@cadavr.intel.com (Doug Braun ~) writes:
>>> I have a Star Micronics Gemini-10 printer I got years ago.  I think
>>> it's supposed to be mostly compatible with some older Epson model.
>>> ... [ problem with graphic dumps ] ...

>You might be able to cure the venetian blind by sending the appropriate
>escape sequence to the printer to adjust the inter-line spacing.
>However, this won't work if the program you're using starts out by
>resetting the printer.

There is a program floating around called STARFIX.  It is a TSR which 
adjusts the LF to compensate for the difference between the Star and
the Epson series.  Considering the limits of the Star printer this
program works pretty good.  I don't play around trying to modify programs
to work with the Star any more.  I just load STARFIX into memory.  Being a 
TSR the printer can be turned off without affecting it.

erik

erik@cup.portal.com