Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!XEROX.COM!"chaz_heritage.WGC1RX"
From: "chaz_heritage.WGC1RX"@XEROX.COM
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: NEC P2200 compatibility
Message-ID: <890612-090337-12728@Xerox>
Date: 12 Jun 89 16:04:11 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 31

In his Thu, 1 Jun 89 14:56 N Roger Hunen writes:

>If you have a NEC P2200 connected to your ST *without* modifica-
     tion, DISCONNECT it now.The 1 kOhm pull-up resistors on the Cen-
     tronics interface of the NEC will eventually kill the sound chip
     of your ST.<

Has anyone out there actually had their ST damaged by using it with a
P2200? Until Mr. Hunen posted his fix for the problem I didn't know it
existed - I had to call NEC (UK) to get some driver software for my ST to
dump Degas correctly on my new P2200, and they didn't mention any hardware
compatibility problem at that time.

I'd like to use a printer buffer on my system, to allow me to keep on
working while printing Degas or CAD frames, which take forever. Would such
a buffer provide the correct pull-ups? Or would it also be likely to damage
the ST? Has anyone tried it? I don't really want to make up Mr. Hunen's fix
box only to make it redundant afterwards by buying a printer buffer.

Anyone got any clues?

Regards,

Chaz

PS This problem seems to be related to the numerous problems and fixes
associated with fitting an IBM-type 5.25" disc drive - one has to buffer a
number of lines controlling the drive, which are also generated by the
wretched sound chip. Is there no way of buffering the chip itself, and thus
killing a number of birds with one stone? Anyone tried it, before I get my
soldering iron out?