rcarter@WSMR-EMH02.ARMY.MIL (Raymond Carter STEWS-NR-AD 678-1536) (02/27/89)
For those who have requested info, I offer the following: 1. nearly all problems associated with using a centronics printer with CP/M can be fixed with CONF. A P.D. program available from Simtel, Genie, Compuserve, FOG. The problem is that the system puts out PETascii by default, and some characters are not direct translations. What you need to do is get the system to put out true ASCII, and convince the interface to do nothing. Assuming a secondary address of 5 does that for your interface (works for Cardco +G) you issue CONF PRT1=ASCII5 I do it in my PROFILE.SUB file. Just substitute your sec. address for transparent mode for the 5. 2. BIOS3 and BIOS4 are modified source code for generating a modified CP/M+ system. They take care of things like setting the system up for ASCII (see above), eliminating all the 40 column drivers, etc. 3. CP/M+ on the 128 can be speeded up significantly by using CONF to shut off the 40 col screen, and reducing the baud rate. Your terminal program will reset it as needed. The command is CONF 40COL=OFF,BAUD=75. You can also use CONF to set some decent screen colors. I use dark blue screen with yellow text. 4. If you have any questions I can probably put you on the right track. I also have access to the SIMTEL, and will be happy to send any of the Commodore specific stuff if you send a blank disk - just get in touch. 5. FOG is the best remaining source of CP/M info. Their address is PO Box 3474, Daly City, CA 94015-0474. One year membership is $30, and includes subscription to FOGHORN - monthly CP/M newsletter, and access to their library.