Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!pacbell!hoptoad!peora!rtmvax!bilver!bill
From: bill@bilver.UUCP (bill vermillion)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.microport
Subject: Re: How to install HP LaserJet II??
Keywords: print spooler, DOS Merge, lpset problems, graphic output
Message-ID: <499@bilver.UUCP>
Date: 9 Apr 89 14:02:17 GMT
References: <11828@ut-emx.UUCP>
Reply-To: bill@bilver.UUCP (bill vermillion)
Organization: W. J. Vermillion, Winter Park, FL
Lines: 43

In article <11828@ut-emx.UUCP> mike@ut-emx.UUCP (Mike O'Donnell) writes:
>We have a HP LaserJet II printer connected to a 386 running
>Microport SYS V 386 and DOS Merge.  I am having difficulties
>getting this printer set up using lpset to turn the transparency
>mode on.  I have verified that the printer is connected to 
>/dev/lp1 and have set up a printer for spooling to without any
>problems.  However when I use the lpset it messes up the lp
>output device.  Even if you cat filename > /dev/lp1 , a 'can't
>create device' error message is displayed.   What I eventually 
>want to be able to do is let unix spool dos output files that
>use eight bit data.  Any ideas?  If you need more specific information
>please let me know.  Oh, also, the printer is connected via the
>parallel port.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Mike - if you figure it out let us all know!

Seriously though.  I have a client site with a IBM 80 386.  Running an HP
Laserjet Plus off the parallel port.  It would sometimes go 'catatonic'.
Output would change from continuous to 45 seconds to 2 minutes between each
page.  Reboots would cure it.  I also got 'cant create ...' when trying to cat
filename >/dev/lp0.   And it was intermittent.  Sometimes it would work fine
and then seem to go bonkers at random.  I finally used a converter and put it
on a serial port and it flies - full speed - no problems.

That was with SCO's 2.2.3.

Earlier this week installing 2.3.1 on an AST I was doing multiple printouts.
All of a sudden one file starting printing a line at a time, with about a
second pause in-between each line.   WHen the next file printed it cleared up.
This was with an Okidata 320 connected.

I have seen a report on the net with parallel printer problems on a 386
running Interactive.  And now with yours on Uport I am beginning to think thee
may be genetic damage to the 386 parallel port drivers.  After all they did
have the same parent.

Anyone have any comments or thoughts.  Why does the parallel on a 386 just
slow down for no apparent reason?

bill
-- 
Bill Vermillion - UUCP: {uiucuxc,hoptoad,petsd}!peora!rtmvax!bilver!bill
                      : bill@bilver.UUCP