Printing problem with PC-INTERFACE

[Ken Weaverling]

In article <165 at rubys.UUCP> dnb at rubys.UUCP (Dave Buonomo) writes:
>I've been following some of the discussion in the last few weeks in reference
>to PC-INTERFACE and generally agree that it is a solid product.  I do have
>one problem that I have been unable to resolve.  This problem could be with
>PC-INTERFACE, UNIX server configuration, or the printer.  

A lot of ifs here! Let's narrow it done a bit (in a bit...)

>My problem is this: when I try to print some documents, created with Word
>Perfect v4.2, on the HP LaserJet, it will print with some lines pulled to
>the left of the margin.  Attempting to print this same document on the C.ITOH
>dot matrix or the same HP LaserJet directly connected to the PC/XT, results
>in the documenting printing perfectly!

OK, first step is to rule out the server (which I doubt it is). Disable your
lp printer interface and then print your Word Perfect doc. Log in as root
and locate the waiting request in the /usr/spool/lp/request directory. Copy
this file to your own user account.

Next, log in using DOS and print this document to your directly connected
printer. If it comes out OK, then the problem is NOT with PC-Interface.

>Does the lp service need to be specially configured for the HP
>printer?  

It may. I suspect the problem is with software flow control. Word Perfect
is sending a lot of binary data to the printer, some of it will be ^S and
^Q characters, which will be interpreted as flow control commands and not
sent to the laser. 

You need to disable software flow control and enable hardware flow control.
Here's the catch. I think the HP lasers use DTR for flow control. You'll
have to custom rig a cable to get it to work.
-- 
>>>---> Ken Weaverling  >>>---->  weave at brahms.udel.edu