Printer problems under SCO

[Roger Murray]

I have a Sperry IT running SCO Xenix 2.0.4 and a Fortis DM2010 connected to
it via the parallel port on the monochrome video card.  Sometimes while
printing, the printer resets spontaneously.  I don't mind that, but in
resetting, the print buffer is cleared and it goes back to its power on
settings so I lose several lines of text and, in the event I was in a
different pitch, I get a half-12 half-10 pitch document.

The printer book mentioned pin 31 as being an INIT signal that, when low,
does what I just described.

The Xenix release notes (part 4.5 if you're interested) talk about parallel
printer problems.  "If your parallel printer stops printing in the middle
of the file, and the system hangs at that point, and the printer is connected
to the parallel port in the subsystem board, the following hardware
modification is required:"  It goes on to describe locating and removing a
capacitor on the board.  The printer doesn't stop.  It keeps going after
hiccupping, and the system doesn't hang, so I'm not sure this is the right
method; especially since I probably won't be able to undo it one it's done.
I have several questions:

- Has anybody removed the capacitor before and, if so, did it help?
- Would upgrading to a newer Xenix help me?
- If all else fails, can I persuade pin 31 to do my bidding somehow?
- Why do I get upside-down question marks on my console when I print?

Note: The printer works flawlessly under DOS.  In fact, after three attempts
      at printing the same 12-pitch document, I finally doscp'ed the file and
      printed it under DOS.  I'd hate to have to resort to that for all of my
      printing needs.
-- 
Roger Murray

UUCP: ...!{ihnp4,randvax,sdcrdcf,ucbvax}!ucla-cs!cepu!ucla-an!remsit!rem
ARPA: cepu!ucla-an!remsit!rem at CS.UCLA.EDU [formerly LOCUS.UCLA.EDU]