AUXPRT.LIT DOCUMENTATION 1.2 Written By: James A. Jarboe IV 1401 19th Street Huntsville, TX 77340 409-295-5767 02/24/86 Copyright (c) James A. Jarboe IV GR/AM Current versions: AUXPRT.LIT 161-400-444-103 AMOSL 1.2a-1.3?? AUXPRT.M68 744-245-725-523 AMOSL 1.2a-1.3?? Description: AUXPRT is an assembly language program invoked from the AMOS dot or command mode that allows a file to be printed through the terminal to the auxillary port to which a printer is attached. Usage: AUXPRT filename.ext or AUXPRT (cr) Enter Filename : filename.ext The default extension is LST. That is if you do not specify a file extension then it will default to .LST . It can also be invoked inside a COMMAND or DO file What it does: Upon invoking AUXPRT the selected filename is opened for output. The auxillary port on the terminal is turned on by using the TCRT call 82 (similar to ? tab(-1,82) or XY=82). The terminal's terminal driver is then changed to DUMB.TDV and the opened file is then sent to the terminal through the auxillary port to the attached printer, one character at a time. When the opened file is empty, it is closed, the terminal's original terminal driver is put back into use and the auxillary port is turned off by use of the TCRT call 83 (similar to ? tab(-1,83) or xy=83), and the terminal is returned to AMOS. Why it does it: As far as I know any printable file can be used with this program, on any printer attached to the auxillary port of any terminal capable of Transparency Print, or the ability to send text to the auxillary port without displaying it on the terminal screen. The terminal's driver is changed to DUMB.TDV so that if text in the file contains any control or escape characters they will not affect the terminal. Some files such as those that are prepared to print on DIABLO or NEC printers contain codes to operate the printer. Those codes are a mixture of control and escape codes. If used in conjuction with a terminals normal terminal driver routine the control of escape characters could do odd and weird things to the terminal's display, status, or current functions. Requirements: 1. A terminal capable of printing to the auxillary port in a TRANSPARENCY PRINT mode or printing to the port without displaying the text on the terminal screen. 2. TCRT codes 82 and 83 within the current terminal driver routine TCRT code 82 is the character sequence that turns the transparency mode off. TCRT code 83 is the character sequence that turns the auxillary port off. 3. DUMB.TDV resident in DSK0:[1,6] . It can be added or used for any other terminal, printer, or NULL job on the system in an .INI file. Add DUMB to an existing TRMDEF statement for a printer: TRMDEF PRINTER,AM300=2,DUMB,9600,20,20,20 or add a new dummy TRMDEF statement that contains the DUMB.TDV TRMDEF AUXPRT,PSEUDO,DUMB,1,1,1 Add one or the other to your .INI file and then reboot the System. 4. The auxillary port on your terminal should be set up to match the printer, 8 bit, no parity, DTR, or whatever parameters the terminal allows for auxillary port to match what the printer needs to see. As far as pin hookups for the cable, that is dependent upon your terminal and printer. The applications that I am familiar with, use the cables that came with the printers, or a direct 25 pin ribbon cable connected from auxillary port to printer. Application: I am familiar and know of the following instance and that they do work: FRE100 terminal and a DIABLO 630 PRINTER - computer hookup FRE100 terminal and a DIABLO 630 PRINTER - modem hookup FRE100 terminal and an OKIDATA 93 PRINTER - modem hookup LNK125 terminal and a DIABLO 1680 PRINTER - computer hookup FRE100 terminal and a H-P LASER-JET - computer hookup WYSE50 terminal and all the above printers WYS350 terminal and all the above printers Different and varying baud rates from 9600 baud to 300 baud If these can be hooked up and work most anything can be. EXAMPLE OF DUMB.TDV OBJNAM DUMB.TDV DUMB: WORD 0 RTN RTN RTN RTN END SPECIAL: If you use other TCRT calls for Transparent print mode on your terminal drivers then you may replace the variable AXON (which is auxillary on) and AXOFF (which is auxillary off) to any TCRT code that yur driver uses to turn the auxillary port on and off If you would like to substitute a special driver instead of the DUMB.TDV then place it in the place of DUMDVR: at the end of this program between the / / on the RAD50 line. Any questions, answers, or comments to: Let me know if you use it and with what terminals and printers so that others may know and use it if it works for them. James A. Jarboe IV Educational Filmstrips 1401 19th Street Huntsville, TX 77340 GR/AM 409-295-5767 [101]- sleep 7.5 secends when through printing for auxport running at slower baud rate than main port's baud rate I.E. MAIN PORT BAUD RATE = 9600 AUXILLARY PORT BAUD RATE & PRINTER = 300 [102]- fixed erroneous error out put of DUMB.DVR it should be DUMB.TDV ( a terminal or printer driver) DUMB should be added to a TRMDEF statement or made on new TRMDEF statement in the .INI file prior to booting system. TRMDEF PRINTR,AM300=3,DUMB,9600,20,20,20 or TRMDEF AUXPRT,PSEUDO,DUMB,1,1,1 .