Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uunet!tnc!m0154
From: m0154@tnc.UUCP (GUY GARNETT)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: My external drive plays hell if I don't switch on my printer!
Message-ID: <801@tnc.UUCP>
Date: 24 Apr 91 13:42:52 GMT
References: <1991Apr15.163229.9473@hemel.bull.co.uk>
Reply-To: m0154@tnc.UUCP (GUY GARNETT)
Organization: The Next Challenge, Fairfax, Va.
Lines: 33


Hmmm ... interesting.  I have had several printers connected to my
A1000 (2Mb FAST RAM, 68010, two external floppies, Ks/Wb v1.3, Akron
Systems Development Clock Module on the printer port).  With an Epson 
JX-80 (with Dresselhaus FX-86e ROMS) and an Okimate 20, no problems. 
Connecting a NEC-P7 (with the same cable as the Epson and Okimate!)
causes the clock's date and time to become scrambled UNLESS the
printer is turned on (or the cable disconnected) before the system
boots.  If the monitor is turned on while the printer is on (but
before the CPU is switched on) then the printer prints garbage until
the CPU is switched on.

My solutions: I curreltly leave the printer and CPU on 24-hours a day,
seven days a week.  The machine is a 5-year old A1000, and has been
left on constantly since the week I bought it.  No problems.  I switch
the monitor on and off at the start and end of my work sessions.

Other possibilities: You can get one of those power-director centers
($50-$100 at computer stores) so you can switch each thing on and off
from one convenient place under the monitor.  Just make sure to switch
the printer on first and off last.  Don't worry about the electricity:
most dot-matrix printers use very little power when they are not
printing.  The NEC even switches its fan on and off when it starts and
stops a print job.  You could also get an auto-sense switcher (this is
a thingie from Radio Shack that has 4 or 6 outlets on it.  One is
special: whenever something plugged into the special outlet is turned
on, all the other outlets are switched on.  When the special outlet
stops drawing current, the others are switched off).  You could use
the special outlet for your CPU, and plug the monitor and printer into
other outlets.  Then when you switch on the CPU, your entire system
gets turned on.

Wildstar