Re: Printer cable length

[Robert Boucher <boucher1@alumni.texas.net>]

I got it to working after I reseated the wiring connectors on the 
printer end. My old eyes are just not as good as they use to be.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Does anyone have a source for the connector on the printer card end? 
Apparently that connector isn't made to take apart. I managed to break 
off one of the tabs on the side that holds it together.

In article <C6AE0544.3255%hughhood@earthlink.net>,


 Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Robert,
> 
> It seems the conventional wisdom is that you should be good up to about 15
> feet.
> 
> May I ask which Apple II interface card and printer you are using?
> 
> I ask because I have had issues before on two fronts:
> 
> (i) The interface (particularly under Apple DOS 3.3) may be passing all 8
> bits to a modern printer that recognizes all 8 bits of data. Unfortunately,
> high ascii characters (especially <return> and <LF>) just mess things up. To
> get around this, I've built the parallel cable with the line for the high
> bit grounded through a resister. I have heard of others just leaving this
> line disconnected. I recall that the EPSON APL interface normally does NOT
> pass the high bit, whereas the Apple Parallel Card does.
> 
> (ii) Some modern printers also support high-speed bidirectional parallel. I
> know my HP LaserJets do. These printers' control panels allow disabling high
> speed parallel. I found that I have to do this to communicate with them from
> my Apple II's. If high speed parallel is enabled on the printers, I can't
> talk to them.
> 
> I hope this helps.
> 
> Hugh Hood
> 
> 
> 
> 
> in article boucher1-704C6C.16472316082009@news-wc.giganews.com, Robert
> Boucher at boucher1@alumni.texas.net wrote on 8/16/09 4:47 PM:
> 
> > I have spent most of Sunday afternoon splicing and checking a longer (9
> > feet) cable between my Apple IIe and a parallel printer. It is not
> > working. Before I spend more time trouble shooting, is this too long a
> > length to have this arrangement work successfully?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> in article boucher1-704C6C.16472316082009@news-wc.giganews.com, Robert
> Boucher at boucher1@alumni.texas.net wrote on 8/16/09 4:47 PM:
> 
> > I have spent most of Sunday afternoon splicing and checking a longer (9
> > feet) cable between my Apple IIe and a parallel printer. It is not
> > working. Before I spend more time trouble shooting, is this too long a
> > length to have this arrangement work successfully?