Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!mcdchg!ddsw1!andyross
From: andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Andrew Rossmann)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy
Subject: Re: Problems with Epson printer
Message-ID: <2671@ddsw1.MCS.COM>
Date: 10 Jan 89 23:28:58 GMT
References: <3853@alvin.mcnc.org> <193300085@trsvax> <1136@csm9a.UUCP>
Reply-To: andyross@ddsw1.UUCP (Andrew Rossmann)
Organization: ddsw1.MCS.COM, Mundelein, IL
Lines: 60

In article <1136@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes:
>Tandy 1000 series computers are advertised as IBM compatible... unfortunately
>as I and others have found out after the sale: THAT IS FALSE ADVERTISING!
>
>The Tandy 1000 series is designed to be compatible only with Tandy peripherals
>They use a different HD interrupt... a different monitor scan rate... a
>different joystick interface... a different floppy disk cable configuration...
>(and the cheapest disk drives that Teac makes [both my original drives died!])
>A very non-standard (and sub-standard) keyboard that has caused me considerable
>interface problems... AND 
>
>A non-standard parallel port WHICH not only requires a special Tandy cable
>but ALWAYS outputs a hardware LF on every CR.  Tandy provides a program called
>lf.com that patches DOS to overcome this problem but programs that use the
>Tandy wonder bios STILL output a LF on pin 14.
>
>If you haven't guessed it I am not a satisfied customer... In fact I will
>never buy another Tandy computer and take great pleasure in warning my students
>against buying Tandy computers!
>
>			   - Joe Applegate -

  You CANNOT blame Tandy for the problems with Epson printers. In fact,
Epson is the ONLY printer brand affected (to the best of my knowledge.)
Most printer ignore line 14. Tandy has had line 14 tied to ground since the
Model I.
  The 1000 was originally designed to be a PCjr clone, therefore, the
different HD interrupt. Some of the newer 1000's can work with standard PC
controller cards. The so-called monitor problem can be fixed by issuing a
MODE 200. Tandy adds an extra blank scan line between lines of text. On a
monitor that has a vertical size control, when you re-adjust the screen,
the scan lines are slightly closer together, resulting in more readable
text. The ONLY time I ever have keyboard problems is when a program
directly reads scan codes. Although this used to be common, very few
programs now do. Even then, the problem was almost always that the arrow
keys 'moved' into the keypad. Tandy's own KEYCNVRT.SYS can fix a few
potential problems. I even wrote my own program that lets the Tandy
keyboard emulate (at least at the key-code level) the new extended
keyboards. It even allows you to use Ctrl-/ to get the backslash, instead
of having to reach over to the keypad.
  At over 2 years old, I've NEVER had a disk drive problem. I ran floppies
only for nearly 2 years. I've never heard of problems with the disk drive
cabling. True IBM's twist 2 lines on the cable to change selection. Tandy
(and many clones) use the Drive Select jumpers on the drive. Big Deal.
  The Tandy 1000 has 2 SEPARATE joystick connectors in the FRONT of the
computer. On IBM's, you must use a Y-cable that connects the joystick to
the BACK of the computer.
  I should note that I have Tandy 1000SX (one of the first), 640K,
Smartwatch, Seagate ST-251 40M hard disk and controller (from Hard Drives
International), Logitech Bus mouse, Practical Peripherals 2400 baud
internal modem, 8087-2. The only hardware related program problems have
been Seagate's On-Track partitioning software (wouldn't boot off the HD, so
I use the stuff that came with the computer.)
  Also, more and more programs (especially games) make use of the 320x200
16 color graphics mode. NO other PC-compatible computer can give you
anything close to that for <$700! (As in the sale priced HX w/ monitor.)
  I've had Tandy's from the Model I, to the Model III, and now the 1000SX
and have NEVER been dissatisfied!

andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM