[comp.sys.apple2] 80-col firmware and Ctrl-Q, ESC Ctrl-Q, Ctrl-U

dlyons@Apple.COM (David A. Lyons) (07/23/90)

Just to clarify this after all the discussion of turning the 80-column
firmware on and putting it in 40-column mode:

 --> There are *differences* between what you type at the *keyboard*
     to activate and deactivate 80-column firmware, and to switch
     between 80 and 40 columns while the 80-col firmware is on.

From the keyboard:

     PR#3 enables the 80-col firmware
     On a IIc Plus and a GS (and a IIc??), ESC then 8 also does it

     With the 80-col firmware *on*, ESC then 4 switches to 40-col
     *leaving* the 80-col fimrware active (cursor is solid), and
     ESC then 8 switches back to 80-col.

     Typing ESC then Ctrl-Q turns *off* the 80-col firmware, leaving
     you in 40-columns with a blinking checkerboard cursor. 

In the "output stream" (PRINTed from a program):

     Ctrl-D "PR#3" enables the 80-col firmware the next time a
     character is printed (not right away!...try printing the
     PR#3 and doing a VTAB or HTAB or something and then doing
     a print...the screen initializes & HOMEs in 80-col before
     that character gets printed).

     Ctrl-Q switches to 40-columns, and Ctrl-R switches to 80
     columns.  The 80-col firmware stays active.

     To disable the firmware (return to 40-col and checkerboard
     cursor), print a Ctrl-U.

(I hope that helps rather than confuses. :)
-- 
David A. Lyons, Apple Computer, Inc.      |   DAL Systems
Apple II Developer Technical Support      |   P.O. Box 875
America Online: Dave Lyons                |   Cupertino, CA 95015-0875
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My opinions are my own, not Apple's.

reeder@reed.bitnet (Doug Reeder,,,2343817) (07/30/90)

A furthur clarification: GETLN on the IIc, in addition to the cursor
movement keys accepts the following commands:
ESC 8 activates enhanced firmware if not already activated, and sets screen to
      80 columns, preserving the information on the screen.  (if going from
      40 to 80 the right 40 columns will be blank.)
ESC 4 activates the enhanced firmware if not already activated, and sets the
      screen to 40 columns.  The information in the rightmost 40 columns is
      lost if switching from 80 columns.
ESC ctrl-Q switches (back) to old firmware, rightmost 40 columns are lost,
           if switching back from 80 columns

These commands work only if input is being gotten through the routine GETLN.

The above commands as part of their effect, switch in the old or new
character sets.  The values in pages 4-7 are not changed, but some of the
interpretations are (lower case inverse goes to flashing punctuation marks,
or something like that.

These commands presumably work the same on the IIc+ and GS.

Doug Reeder                                   USENET: ...!tektronix!reed!reeder
from ARPA: tektronix!reed!reeder@berkeley.EDU BITNET: reeder@reed.BITNET
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