Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!genbank!ames!ncar!tank!eecae!cps3xx!usenet
From: usenet@cps3xx.UUCP (Usenet file owner)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Epson printers and Minix 1.2
Keywords: Epson, printer, Minix
Message-ID: <5528@cps3xx.UUCP>
Date: 27 Nov 89 03:13:57 GMT
Expires: 15 Dec 89 05:00:00 GMT
References: none
Reply-To: rattan@frith.egr.msu.edu ()
Distribution: usa
Organization: Michigan State University
Lines: 24


The Epson printers (FX 86e and FX850 were available) do not work
not work properly with the Minix 1.2 printer driver. The
printers at random, double echo or drop characters to be
printed. The fix to the problem does not require too much effort
(hence no diffs).

	The fix involves the pr_char() module of kernel/printer.c file.
The following two lines of c-code in pr_char()

	port_out(port_base + 2, ASSERT_STROB);
	port_out(port_base + 2, NEGATE_STROBE);

should to be replaced by the folliwng lines of code

	port_out(port_base + 2, ASSERT_STROBE);
	while(port_in(port_base + 1, &value), (value & STATUS_MASK) !=
						NORMAL_STATUS);
	/* no negation of strobe till printer status is normal */
	port_out(port_base + 2, NEGATE_STROBE);

It has worked very well upto files for sizes upto 600Kb.

- ir (rattan@frith.egr.msu.edu)