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From: jkr@gitpyr.UUCP (John Kenneth Riviere)
Newsgroups: net.micro,net.micro.trs-80,net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: Printer advice needed
Message-ID: <705@gitpyr.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Aug-85 20:23:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: gitpyr.705
Posted: Fri Aug 30 20:23:24 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 16:29:55 EDT
References: <756@brl-tgr.ARPA> <1068@mtgzz.UUCP> <766@asgb.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 41
Xref: watmath net.micro:11766 net.micro.trs-80:391 net.micro.pc:5173
Summary: Epson chip upgrade

In article <766@asgb.UUCP>, tomm@asgb.UUCP (Tom Mackey) writes:
> While we are talking about printers, does anyone know if the Epson RX-80
> printer can be upgraded (with new ROM, PC board, or whatever) to an FX-80?
> Tom Mackey 

I am not sure if this will satisfy you, but you might check with:
Dresselhaus Computer Products
837 East Alosta Ave. 
Glendora,  CA  91740

I bought a product of theirs called the Finger Print LetterWriter.  It 
consists of three chips which replace chips on the Epson FX printer to
provide panel button control of a variety of features as well as NLQ
printing without going into graphics mode.  While this product seems to
be very specific to the FX printers some of the documentation leads me
to believe they may have similar products for other Epson printers.  The
package describes providing panel button control for:

Reset, Condensed, Double Wide, Emphasized, Double Strike, Perforation
Skipover, Left Margin Indent, Italics, 8 Line Per Inch, Fine Print
[subscript], Buffer Clear, Elite (RX, FX only), Underline, (RX, FX only),
Paper Out Disable (RX, FX only), Quiet Mode (RX, FX only), Slash Zero
(RX, FX only), Proportional (FX Only), 8 1/2" wide paper (FX-100 only).

Since they differentiate between what works for RX, FX, and other
printers they must have similar products for non-FX printers.  However,
I have no info on any but the FX version of their product.  The FX
version which I bought lists for $75 (I found it at Priority-One
Electronics for $59) and came with very clear instructions for
installation including photo closeups of the printer's circuit board.
Their brochure and my calls to Epson indicate that a properly installed
Finger Print will not void the printer warranty.

{usual disclaimer, no association except as a satisfied customer}

                          -J. Kenneth Riviere

-- 
John Kenneth Riviere
Georgia Insitute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
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