SR2PAR.THD --- Copyright 1988 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. These messages address the question of how to use the Model 100 as a serial- to-parallel converting printer interface. What software is needed?? None! Read on. Message range: 173039 to 173119 Dates: 8/17/88 to 8/18/88 Sb: #Serial to Parallel? Fm: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 To: Sysop I was looking for a utility that will allow me to use the model 100 as a glorified serial to parallel converter and printer buffer... I have a system that is physically distant from my computer room (in the house) and wanted to set it up to use a serial port for the line printer. This way, I could overcome the limitaions of a parallel interface (distance wise) in routing the cable to the computer room. Then, passing it through the m100 would allow me to convert it back to parallel, and possibly provide some buffering as well. Has this been done? If not, is it safe to assume that BASIC is too slow for the task? Thanks! Fm: Alan Rowberg 76703,4421 To: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 Just go into telcom and set STAT to match the serial line and press F4 to go online and then F5 to log to printer. No special software is needed. Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 Yes, as Alan points out, simply use TELCOM for the function. Unfortunately it will not function as a buffer, having only a 64 character internal buffer, but if it responds to the printer's "wait" handshaking, it should send the ^S-^Q wait handshaking (via the RS-232 line) to the originating computer. If that computer recognizes those commands for dataflow, you've got just what you want, but without the buffer part being needed. Generally, TELCOM will operate as fast, or faster, than the printer can, so you should have no problem between computers, but will be limited to the actual printer speed; and of course, the process, without a buffer, will tie up both computers for the entire printing process. Fm: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 To: Alan Rowberg 76703,4421 Thanks for the comeback, and for slapping me with the obvious (grin)! I was kind of hoping to circumvent the screen in the interest of speed.. is this possible? Will the M100 keep up at 9600? 4800? Fm: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 Thanks for the comeback... As I also later asked Alan, is there a way to circumvent screen (LCD) I/O here? This may help speed (BTW - I have an R/S Printer Buffer, so printer speed is probably not going to be the limiting factor, at least not for the first 64k). Also, is the TELECOM program smart enough to send an Xoff when the printer flow-controls the M100? Lastly - I bought Carl Oppendahl's (sp?) book a while back - I note that he mentions a Screen/Printer output flag... is this flag honored under TELECOM, or just under BASIC? If both, this may be the answer! Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 I don't know exactly how TELCOM will handle flow control since I've never had a need to try it in this mode. But it manages with everything else, so why not try it, and let us know. There is a small program in Lib. 3 that you can use to turn on/off the screen scroll by assigning those functions to the normally unused F6 and F7 function keys in TELCOM. The program is TELUTL.100, by Bill Templeton, 75655,1056. There are two files there with the same TELUTL name, so be sure you get the right one. Just a push of the button, and the screen locks up, all incoming data is written over and over on the same line, and high-speed COM rates are possible. But what printer do you have that will truck along at 4800 or 9600 baud? Ah! you intend to put that print buffer in the line between M100 and printer, thus making the computer only a protocol converter. OK. But were you aware you can buy protocol converters, serial to parallel, or vice versa, for less than a hundred bucks? And if you want, you can add print buffering in various amounts and still stay under $200? Might be more efficient. If you can give me a page reference in Opedahl's book, I can look it up and see what you're talking about. Fm: Alan Rowberg 76703,4421 To: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 Wow, you have a printer that can keep up at 9600 baud? (grin) No, the M100 will stop at 600 baud, unless you use one of the special programs here that allow you to turn off the screen. Fm: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 Don't have the book handy - It's in the chapter on LCD control though. Also - while the buffers are available <$200, I *have* an m100 on hand, and lots of other items waiting for that $0>?<$200 to be spent on them ;^}! Fm: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 To: Alan Rowberg 76703,4421 Alan - well.... the printer won't keep up at 9600, but the print buffer ahead of it will ;^}... I have a Tandy PT-64 (or something like that). Tony mentioned a file called TELUTL.100 in LIB3. Are there *other* goodies that just disable the screen altogether? Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Pete Lyall 76703,4230 No.