** Configuration Program for the MT-180L Printer ** Written by: Ray Kester Version 1.0 : May 31, 1984 If you are reading this file, chances are you have either seen the MANNESMANN/TALLY 180L, or may even own one. It really does seem to be a good printer, although due to the speed (160cps) I have noticed every once in a while it doesn't keep up and may print 'faded' characters. This is very rare and not to be taken as 'gospel' for all the models... Now to the good stuff. Because it is a 'smart' printer which includes graphics capability, it also has other functions that are very similar to the EPSON series. In fact it can emulate some of the same codes. The printer must be configured (from the front panel, no DIP switches!) into the 'E-CODE' mode, or the 'D-CODE' mode to emulate certain daisywheel printers. Even in these other modes, it will still accept 'ANSI' codes (these are the majority of the codes it accepts). As with every printer it becomes a bother to set-up the printer for different functions, hence a wave of configure programs for certain printers (and why not?). One big problem with the 180L is to set the right margin to 80 columns because it is a 132 column printer. Saving paper is only one of the reasons for 80 columns. Let's just take a look at the menu to get a better idea of what this program does for you... Mannesmann/Tally 180L Configure program : v1.0 RDK (Use ^C or RETURN to abort) Printer should be initiated for E-CODEs --------------------------------------------------------------- A - 6 Lines/inch B - 8 Lines/inch C - Emphasized print ON D - Emphasized print OFF E - Clear permanent Dbl. F - Auto right just. ON/OFF G - Clear perforation skip H - Set perforation skip I - Dbl. width DRAFT mode J - Set right margin to 80 K - 10 cpi CORR. mode L - 12.5 cpi CORR. mode M - Proportional space ON N - Proportional space OFF O - 10 cpi draft mode P - 12 cpi draft mode Q - 16.7 cpi draft mode R - 20 cpi draft mode S - Enable paper out switch T - Disable paper out switch U - Change character fonts V - RESET printer (see manual) W - Send test sentence X - Configure the 8th bit Y - Send FORM FEED Z - Send LINE FEED(s) 1 - Set form length 2 - Set margins --------------------------------------------------------------- Enter letter option -> ? As you can see it not only has 'simple' options (set 80 columns), but also has 'sub' menus within it... -- Option 'F' -- ++ Auto right justification ON or OFF ++ Do you wish to [A]ctivate or [D]e-activate this option.... NOTE: Printer is still left in CORR. mode... (A or D) -> ? -- Option 'H' -- How many lines do you want to skip at the perforation... Enter a number 1-9 ONLY!! Value = ? -- Option 'I' -- + + Double width - DRAFT mode + + A - 5 cpi B - 6 cpi C - 8.3 cpi D - 10 cpi Choice ? -- Option 'N' -- If you do not have the printer in D-CODE mode, it will ask you to make sure first. If you do not, nonsense is sent to it. WARNING!... Do you have the printer in the D-CODE mode?? Answer [Y]es or [N]o -> ? It will politely 'beep' at you if you answer 'N' -- Option 'U' -- The printer also has several character fonts built in for certain requirements... 1 - UKASCII 2 - USASCII 3 - Nor/Dan 4 - Swe/Fin 5 - German 6 - French 7 - Spanish Which set do you wish ? -- Option 'X' -- If your computer can send 8 bits, then you would leave it set for 'A'. If not, you can fool the printer, so you can take advantage of the scientific (greek) character set. + + Configure the MSB + + A - Send bit 8 as is B - Set bit 8 to 1 C - Set bit 8 to 0 Your choice ? Since a simple thing like leaving the printer off line can cause minor frustration, an 'online' check has been added. If you are in the main menu and you have selected an option a message like -> Online? might might appear at the cursor to remind you to push the button. Some requirments have the printer in a rather remote location, therefore, I have added the FORM FEED and LINE FEED option. Type the 'ESC' key to return to menu or type the LINE FEED key to initiate LINE FEEDS to the printer... There are a few other sub menus inside the program which are self-explanatory. ----------------------- CUSTOMIZING THE PROGRAM ---------------------- There is one optional modification that the user can perform to have the program clear the CRT. This makes for a much cleaner presentation of the instructions. To do this all is needed is DDT.COM (or similar), the string or byte known to clear the CRT, and the exercise. There have been 10 blanks set aside to insert the clear screen sequence. The eleventh (a null) is used to terminate the sending instruction. An example follows, user input is denoted by an '*'... A0>ZDT MT180L.COM * ZDT VERS 1.4.14---CPU IS Z-80 NEXT PC 0F80 0100 -S103 * 0103 1A-1B * Enter 1B ONLY -S104 * 0104 00-59 * Enter 59 ONLY -S105 * 0105 00-1B * Enter 1B ONLY -S106 * 0106 00-52 * Enter 52 ONLY -G0 * A0>SAVE 15 MTEST.COM * In the above example, we have changed the byte '1A' to the following: ESC Y ESC R, (or 1B 59 1B 52).. Remember, at least one zero (0) should reamain intact! ----------------- USING THE PROGRAM ----------------- The program has be designed to be used on an 80 column, 24 row CRT screen. Visability may be hampered if using a smaller CRT... Entering the program can be accomplished in 3 different ways. By just typing the program name the menu will be displayed, and will await your input option. By typing the program name followed by a space AND an option letter, it will execute that option BEFORE displaying the menu. As time goes on, you will certainly require an option all the time, therefore you may also type the program name followed by a space AND type the option letter TWICE. This will execute the option, then return directly back to CP/M without displaying the menu. ------- SUMMARY ------- A>MT180L Will display the menu and await your selection. A>MT180L A Will execute option 'A' (set 6 lines/inch) BEFORE displaying the menu. A>MT180L AA Will execute option 'A' and return back to CP/M. It will NOT display the menu, instead it will clear the CRT and type 'DONE'. All the options have been checked, so if you encounter problems that seem strange, you should check to make sure the printer is set-up in the E-CODE mode. Most, but not all of the options are selected via ANSI mode. Some of these options only exist using the E-CODE mode. Only one (option 'N') uses the D-CODE mode. FINAL NOTE: Even if you do not have the 180L, I am sure some of commands are still usefull... If any bugs or upgrades are seen, please leave a message on the: Generation-5 RBBS : RCP/M Paul Lazar SYSOP 301-495-2932 RDK 05.31.84