serial interface/printer problem

[sebugg@CS1.PRESBY.EDU (Stephen Buggie)]

comp.sys.apple2                                        May 5, 1993
                         SERIAL PRINTER PROBLEM
                         ======================
                            ADVICE SOLICITED
                            ----------------

My favorite printer is a Nec Spinwriter #7715, a 55cps "thimble" letter-
quality (fast daisy wheel) text typer.  It has been connected to my Apple
Super Serial Card in slot #1 of my IIe. It is a wide carriage 1981-vintage
heavy duty printer.  It types fast and clearly.

Recently I bought two of the older Apple serial cards (model p8) of early
1980s vintage.  This is the serial card that preceded the Super Serial; it
is a much smaller card with only five ICs.  It has seven DIP switches.

My plan was to use the older p8 serial card to drive the printer.  This will
free up my Super Serial card for possible use with a fast external modem.
The smaller P8 card ought to conserve power in my fully loaded IIe.

I set the seven DIP switches on the p8 card as follows:
          DOWN-DOWN-UP-DOWN-DOWN-DOWN-UP

The above DIP switch settings specify:  1200 baud, carriage return delay
enabled,  132 characters/line,  default line feed disabled.

The problem is that the printer types about two lines, then quits and a
buzzer indicates DATA ERROR.  What is wrong?  The printer is also  set for
1200 baud, so the data transmission rate is synchronized. There are other
DIP switches on the printer for duplex, parity, etc.  The p8 serial card
states that the interface must be "initialized."  Does this mean that a
startup sequence of characters should be transmitted by the word processor
to the printer at the start of each printing exercise?

I dont believe that the P8 card is faulty.  I have two identical cards and
they both perform similarly.  I have removed the P8 and am back to using the
Super Serial card and the printer is working fine again.  Can any printer-
interface experts advise me?  Specific advice will be appreciated.  I have the
instruction manuals for the NEC Spinwriter 7715 printer, the Apple P8 serial
card, and also for the Super Serial card.      Thanks.    Stephen Buggie


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 ** Stephen Buggie  Psych Dept  Presbyterian College   Clinton SC 29325 **
 ** sebugg@presby.edu                 voice: (803) 833-8337 or 833-1632 **
 **                        Apple IIe/IIc loyalist                       **
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