PRINTER SETUP DOCUMENTATION CP/M 2.2 & 3 Ver. 1 (C) Copyright 1985 PSD PERIPHERAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT 2123 N.E. HALSEY ST. PORTLAND, OR 97232 THE LAST PAGE OF THE DOCUMENTATION WILL EXPLAIN HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED USER OF THIS SOFTWARE. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 1 There are two programs on the distribution disk; CONF.COM and PRINTSET.COM. The PRINTSET.COM is the program that you will be using in day-to-day operation. CONF.COM is the program you will use to configure PRINTSET.COM. CONF actually stands for configure, but due to the number of configuration programs already on our systems we thought you might appreciate a name that had meaning and yet did not conflict with the others. This utility is used to preset your printer thus allowing you to use programs that have printing capabilities, such as the PIP.COM which comes with CP/M or SWEEP.COM from Dave Rand in Canada, that have very little or no formatting capabilities. By presetting your printer, you can dump a document and have it printed to allow enough left margin for three ring binder holes, and in the case of some of the supported printers, allow 1" skip-over perforation. Some even allow turning off the skip-over function which is very handy when printing program code. The very first item to be done is to make a backup of the distri- bution disk so that you will have the master available should anything happen to your working copy. Refer to your computer operating manual if you need assistance to accomplish this task, or call your dealer. Put the master distribution disk away. DO NOT leave it lying on your desk or working area. Be sure that both CONF.COM and PRINTSET.COM are in the same user area of the same disk. Run CONF.COM and you will first see the copyright notice and BRANDS menu. You may pick the letter corresponding to the manufacturer of the printer that you own, or one of the numerals in the left column to define the printer you have (will be discussed further down), or to set your screen clear and color (or inverse) codes. If you make an error or enter a letter or number not on the screen, the menu will be re- displayed for your choice. The printer information (from the menu or USER-DEFINED) and the terminal setup information are independent of each other. If you don't like one or the other when you are finished, you may come back into CONF and re-do that one ONLY. Feel free to experiment with all these options. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 2 The numeric options include: 1 = HELP !!! One screen full of general help with the configuration. 2 = ABORT Get out of the program WITHOUT config- uring PRINTSET.COM. 3 = SAVE & EXIT MUST be used to save your changes whether you are picking from the BRANDS and MODELS menus, setting your screen codes, or defining your printer via the User-Defined option. If nothing is entered in any area, choosing option 3 will do nothing but abort and put you back to the system prompt. 4 = Terminal Setup Allows you to improve the appearance and speed of the PRINTSET menu display. Follow the instructions on page 6, or just leave the defaults if you are in a hurry. 5 = User-Defined This option will be necessary if your printer is NOT listed on the menus, or if you wish to make your own CUSTOMIZED menu. WARNING ! Read the instructions carefully to avoid unnecessary work. The instruc- tions begin on page 4. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 3 /* CHOOSING YOUR PRINTER */ First we will cover the printer which is made by one of the listed manufacturers. This is the easiest part, simply enter the letter next to that manufacturer and hit RETURN. A second or MODEL menu will be displayed showing the models currently supported. Again, enter the letter next to the model that you have. At this point, the first or BRANDS menu will be re-displayed allowing you to either enter the number correspon- ding to one of the items in the left column or if you've made a mistake in any of the choices, simply pick the manufacturer again and continue. If you choose the SAVE option, the PRINTSET.COM program will be configured from the choices you've made. /* SAVING YOUR WORK */ Once you've built a menu and PRINTSET.COM has been successfully configured, all that is necessary is for you to COPY the PRINTSET.COM file to another name: EXAMPLE: PIP EPSON.COM=PRINTSET.COM or PIP PROSET.COM=PRINTSET.COM CONF.COM needs the PRINTSET.COM file to be in the same user area of the same disk. If you rename PRINTSET.COM to another name, CONF.COM will tell you that it 'Cannot Open Printset.com'. Using the COPY (PIP.COM) function of your operating system will make another copy of PRINTSET.COM and leave the original intact, thus allowing you to configure yet another printer or change the choices you've already made. DO NOT RENAME "PRINTSET.COM" to another name!!! Always use the copy function issued with your computer or one of the Public Domain programs to copy the PRINTSET.COM file to another name. When the copy is complete you can run CONF.COM again and User- Define your second mode or printer. Then, as per the example, copy PRINTSET.COM to another name. The names you choose should reflect (to you) the function of that file. Logical names could be TI-WP.COM or DS-DATA.COM for the Texas Instruments Word Processing Mode or the Data South Data Processing Mode. Keep in mind that you will have to type the name every time you wish to setup the printer so pick a name that is comfortable to you. CAUTION: Stay away from the one letter names such as P.COM, the reasoning should be obvious. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 4 /* USER-DEFINED INSTRUCTIONS */ In this section of the program it will be necessary to enter a (possibly) large number of codes. Since these must be entered sequen- tially, an entry error discovered later will necessitate re-entering all of the codes again. For this reason, please read the following instructions carefully. Before attempting to build your first User-Defined menu, find the three pages within the manual with the 'fill-in-the-blank' lines on the right side of the pages. Make at least three copies of each sheet and store one set. These will be necessary if you have more then one printer or your printer has multiple modes. These will help you decide what you would like to see on your menu. DO NOT attempt to build your own without first studying the sheets and filling them out to suit your printer. Use a pencil to fill in the areas you need for your printer. Because this program was designed to be a WORKING utility and not an elaborate program to spend hours involved with, the menus are limited to one screen full, including titles. That equates to 20 lines per column including titles. As you can see from the three pages of material mentioned above, there are 3 columns; however, the middle column has many more then 20 options. Therefore it will be necessary, if your printer has above average capabilities or is of the 15" carriage variety and can have the right margin set, for you to make some choices as to what you want within the column's boundaries. You will be asked a number of questions dealing with the control codes for your printer. These codes will need to be entered in HEX format. Most printer manuals show the control codes in ASCII format but have an example in hex. If you need it or would rather use it, we've included a HEX conversion chart at the end of this documentation. EXAMPLE: ESC Y chr$(27), chr$(89) (1b,59) Your manual will at the very least show a sequence like the first line in the example above. From that point, manuals differ greatly and you may have to refer to a page (normally toward the back) which will have a chart showing the equivalent of the second and third lines of the example. To begin USER-DEFINED select number 5 from the main menu. Have your prepared fill-in sheets ready. You will be offered a number of options under various title headings. They will be presented in the same order as the ones on the three pages of fill-ins. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 5 If you make a typing error while entering the data into one of the lines you may use the backspace key to edit the line. If you have entered a RETURN and then discover that an error was entered on a previous line you will NOT be able to go back to that line and fix it. The only solution is to enter a slash ( / ) which will return you to the BRANDS menu. Then you will have to enter number 5 again and START OVER. The resulting menu may not be as elaborate as some of the ones we've developed. For example, if your printer has multiple mode capability, such as Data Processing, Word Processing, and IBM Compa- tible, you will need to build a separate menu for each mode. Building separate menus whether it be for different printers or printers with multiple modes will not be hard after you've done the first one. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 6 /* TERMINAL SETUP */ Whether you pick from the BRANDS and MODELS menus or choose to define your own, you have the option of entering the clear screen and colors desired (or inverse on and inverse off for monochrome) for your terminal or computer. This function is accessed by entering the number next to SET SCREEN CODES located in the left column. Once entered, you will be faced with the same situation as the User-Defined printer in that all answers to the prompts MUST BE answered in HEX. Your computer or terminal manual will have the codes listed within it to allow at least the clear screen, and probably the inverse on and off. Refer to the back of this documentation for the ASCII to HEX conversions and enter them according to the prompt. Read the HELP screens CAREFULLY! You will see that the input request line states that there are 10 and 20 HEX codes of space available depending on whether you are inputting clear screen or inverse video. One HEX code is actually two characters. For example, an ESC or Escape character is 1B in HEX, and 27 in decimal. When your manual states that the code for INVERSE ON is 'ESC j', this means that you would need to enter '1B,6A' into the input request line for Inverse On, separating the characters with a comma preferably and NO spaces after the comma. The screen options may be changed by running CONF again and picking the number next to TERMINAL SETUP and again answering the questions in HEX. If you're satisfied with the printer menu as you had designed it, you will find it un-necessary to re-enter the printer. "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 7 /* RUNNING PRINTSET.COM */ To run your configured printer setup program, just type PRINTSET (or the name of the copy -- EPSON, for example). This will bring up the menu for the printer you have selected or USER- DEFINED. Now you may enter as many choices as you please. Functions will be performed in the same order that you type them. For example, if you are using the EPSON FX-80, typing 8AP [RETURN] (the letters may be upper or lower case), will: 1. do a software reset (restore printer to power-on defaults) 2. set the elite font 3. set the left margin to a width of 15 characters If you don't wish to see the menu, then simply type PRINTSET 8AP [RETURN] to accomplish the same thing faster. You may find during use that, contingent to the printer you are using, the left margin will vary according to the print size selected. Not all printers have this capability, some call 1" left margin a 1" left margin, while others adjust according to the pitch selected. If yours has this capablity then you will surely find that instead of having just the margins available from the menu, you will be able to double that by turning on the printer, running PRINTSET.COM or whatever you have renamed it, and selecting the left margin before selecting the PRINT SIZE. The logic is this: If you select a left margin of 10 and are in the power-up state on the printer (either just turned on or reset) the default print size will probably be Pica or 10 CPI. Therefore, the left margin will be adjusted according to Pica size. Then changing to Condensed size will give you the same physical left margin as the Pica, about 16 characters in Condensed, or 1". If on the other hand you request from the menu a change to another PRINT SIZE before requesting a left margin setting, the left margin will be adjusted according to that PRINT SIZE. Thus Condensed with a 10 left margin would give a left margin of 5/8". "PRINTSET DOCUMENTATION" Page 8 Another fun item to play with is the capabilities of some printers to allow the combining of multiple PRINT TYPES. A good example of this would be combining Condensed, SuperScript, and Italics. If you thought it was nice to be able to print 132 columns on an 8" sheet of paper, wait till you see this. ****************************** * User-Supported Software * ****************************** If you are using this program and finding it of value, your contribution ($14.95 suggested) will be appreciated. Please be sure to include your name and address ( & phone number if you like ) along with your contribution. You will become a REGISTERED USER by sending a contribution to the address below. We will be happy to give any assistance to registered users. Registered Users will be the first notified of any future updates or revisions, as well as any New Software developed. **** PSD **** 2123 N.E. Halsey Portland, OR 97232 (503) 249-0627 You are encouraged to copy and share this program with other users, on the conditions that the programs and documentation are not distri- buted in modified form, that no fee or consideration is charged, and that this notice is not bypassed or removed. *** 1st Column *** [ ENTER YOUR CODES HERE ] .PRINT SIZE.= Normal Pica Print ------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ Elite Print ------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ Condensed Print -------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Condensed OFF ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Proportional Print ----- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Proportional Spacing --- ____,____,____,____,____,____ SuperScript ------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ SuperScript OFF -------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .PRINT TYPE.= Italics Print ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Italics Print OFF ------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ Emphasized Print ------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Emphasized OFF --------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Shadow Print ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Double Width ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Double Width OFF ------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Correspond Quality ----- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Correspond Qual OFF ---- ____,____,____,____,____,____ *** Middle Column *** .LINE SPACING.= 3 Lines Per Inch ------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 4 LPI ------------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ 6 LPI ------------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ 8 LPI ------------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ 9 LPI ------------------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ 12 LPI ----------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .LEFT MARGIN.= 3 Characters ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 5 ---------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 7 ---------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 10 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 12 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 15 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ *** Middle Column Cont. *** [ ENTER YOUR CODES HERE ] .RIGHT MARGIN.= 5 Characters ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 7 ---------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 10 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 12 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 15 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .80 COL RIGHT MARGIN.= 5 Characters ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 7 ---------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 10 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 12 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 15 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .132 COL RIGHT MARGIN.= 5 Characters ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 7 ---------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 10 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 12 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ 15 --------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ (NOTES): cont. next page *** Right Column *** [ ENTER YOUR CODES HERE ] .PRINT MODE.= Quiet Mode ------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Draft Mode ------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Near Letter Quality ---- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Line ------------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Serial ----------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Logic Mode ------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Incremental Mode ------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Word Processing Mode --- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Data Processing Mode --- ____,____,____,____,____,____ IBM Mode --------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .PRINT DIRECTION.= Uni-Directional -------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Bi-Directional --------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ .Misc Print Codes.= Double Strike ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Double Strike OFF ------ ____,____,____,____,____,____ Underline Print -------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Underline OFF ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Right Margin ON -------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Right Margin OFF ------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Skip Over Perf --------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Skip Perf OFF ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Cancel Buffer ---------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Auto Justify ----------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Form Feed -------------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ Software Reset --------- ____,____,____,____,____,____ (notes): Decimal - Hexadecimal - ASCII Conversion Chart Decimal HEX ASCII Decimal HEX ASCII Decimal HEX ASCII or CHR$(n) or CHR$(n) or CHR$(n) 0 00 NUL 43 2B + 86 56 V 1 01 SOH 44 2C , 87 57 W 2 02 STX 45 2D - 88 58 X 3 03 ETX 46 2E . 89 59 Y 4 04 EOT 47 2F / 90 5A Z 5 05 ENQ 48 30 0 91 5B [ 6 06 ACK 49 31 1 92 5C \ 7 07 BEL 50 32 2 93 5D ] 8 08 BS 51 33 3 94 5E ^ 9 09 HT 52 34 4 95 5F _ 10 0A LF 53 35 5 96 60 ` 11 0B VT 54 36 6 97 61 a 12 0C FF 55 37 7 98 62 b 13 0D CR 56 38 8 99 63 c 14 0E SO 57 39 9 100 64 d 15 0F SI 58 3A : 101 65 e 16 10 DLE 59 3B ; 102 66 f 17 11 DC1 60 3C < 103 67 g 18 12 DC2 61 3D = 104 68 h 19 13 DC3 62 3E > 105 69 i 20 14 DC4 63 3F ? 106 6A j 21 15 NAK 64 40 @ 107 6B k 22 16 SYN 65 41 A 108 6C l 23 17 ETB 66 42 B 109 6D m 24 18 CAN 67 43 C 110 6E n 25 19 EM 68 44 D 111 6F o 26 1A SUB 69 45 E 112 70 p 27 1B ESC 70 46 F 113 71 q 28 1C FS 71 47 G 114 72 r 29 1D GS 72 48 H 115 73 s 30 1E RS 73 49 I 116 74 t 31 1F US 74 4A J 117 75 u 32 20 SP 75 4B K 118 76 v 33 21 ! 76 4C L 119 77 w 34 22 " 77 4D M 120 78 x 35 23 # 78 4E N 121 79 y 36 24 $ 79 4F O 122 7A z 37 25 % 80 50 P 123 7B { 38 26 & 81 51 Q 124 7C | 39 27 ' 82 52 R 125 7D } 40 28 ( 83 53 S 126 7E ~ 41 29 ) 84 54 T 127 7F DEL 42 2A * 85 55 U