How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in Parallel
How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in Parallel
Model: 5700/57000 series
The 5700/57000 plotter series supports only the CalComp 907/PCI vector
format. The P/N for the 57000 User's Guide is M0014-870 (the 57000 User's
Guide may be used for both 5700 and 57000 plotters).
HPGL and HP/GL2 ARE NOT SUPPORTED (and there are NO optional upgrade
packages for these formats). The PostScript language and the Print Bridge
external interface are NOT supported.
CalComp Raster Format (CCRF) is supported IF you purchase the CCRF
upgrade option (the 5700 series requires both the CCRF option and an XP
controller, the P/N for the XP controller is 701460-8). The CCRF upgrade
is processed by logging in a call with CalComp's service at 1-800-CALCOMP
(800-225-2667).
The 5700/57000 series plotters DO NOT support the CalComp Device Control
Language (CDCL).
The 5700/57000 series plotters were designed to be connected into a
dedicated system. This means only one of it's two ports (one serial and
one parallel) is recognized by the plotter as being active at any given
time. To switch from one port to the other, you must use a terminal and
change the COM parameter called MODE (see Note #A-5).
SPECIAL NOTE: The 5700/57000 series electrostatic plotters were
manufactured to be custom configured to meet any host computer's
connectivity specifications. These plotters were not user-installable
devices. Unit installation by a trained field engineer was included in
the original purchase price. Because of this, although most units were
configured as DCE devices, some were configured to be DTE. All of the
information in the following notes are for the most commonly used device
configuration, which is DCE. CalComp does not keep records as to exactly
how each unit was configured for a customer site. That information should
be available from the original operator or system administrator. (The
baud rate on these plotters is fixed and was also set during the original
installation. Changing the baud rate requires an onsite service call with
CalComp UNLESS the optional 4-to-1 MUX was installed. The 4:1 MUX gives
your plotter 4 serial ports, one Terminal port, and NO parallel ports.)
A. IF THE PLOTTER IS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER'S PARALLEL PORT:
The plotter's parallel port is located on the back of the plotter
and is marked by the number, 8502.
1. NOTE ON 5700 SERIES CENTRONICS COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS:
The 5700 series plotters using the standard CalComp 908K
controller do not have 100% reliable centronics interfaces. In
order to work reliably in centronics mode, the 908K controller
must be upgraded to either an XK controller, revision 1.02 or
greater, or an XP (the XP controller is recommended). The XP
Controller may be ordered with P/N 701460-8.
To find out what revision controller your plotter has, enter
REV at the terminal prompt (see Note #A-5).
2. The 57000 series plotters and IBM/Compatible computers support
the Centronics parallel standard. A recommended parallel cable
is CalComp P/N 717960-9.
a. PARALLEL CABLE MAXIMUM LENGTH = 25' (heavy duty
recommended). Specially designed cables which exceed the
25' limit may be used but are not available from
CalComp. For information on custom cables refer to the
problem summary, WHAT KIND OF CABLE DO I NEED FOR THE
PLOTTER?
3. THE PLOTTER'S PARALLEL PORT CONFIGURATION MUST MATCH THE
SOFTWARE APPLICATION'S PLOT FILE: For 907/PCI, this is the
sync code value, number of sync codes, end of record code
(also called the EOM or EOB), checksum (either on or off), and
stepsize (use either 400 or 2032, depending on the plot
driver's requirements). If the plotter is configured to a
different stepsize than the driver, the plot will either be
much too large or much too small (depending on the type of
mismatch).
a. Check the software application's documentation or help
files for a listing of the CalComp 907/PCI plot file
configuration parameters. ALL 907/PCI FILES HAVE THEM.
Here is a typical 907/PCI configuration:
Sync = 2, # of Syncs = 1, EOM = 3, Checksum = NO,
Stepsize = 2032
Here is the AutoCAD 12/13 default 907/PCI file
configuration:
Sync = 16, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 0D, Checksum = YES,
Stepsize = 400
4. VERIFY THE PLOTTER OPERATION BY RUNNING THE CONFIDENCE PLOT:
The Confidence Plot tests the plotter's engine. Run this test
using the following procedure:
a. Be sure the plotter is turned on and is in (AUTO) mode.
When in AUTO mode the plotter is ready to receive plot
data and the AUTO light is ON
b. Put the plotter into MANUAL mode by pressing the
MAN/AUTO key once. The MANUAL light should now be ON.
c. Next, press the key marked TEST, then press 0 and then
the ENT key.
The self-test should now begin to process. If you can't get
the CONFIDENCE PLOT to work, Call CalComp for further
assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
5. HOW TO VERIFY AND CHANGE THE PLOTTER'S PORT CONFIGURATION:
There is only one way to change the plotter's port. You must
use a DUMB TERMINAL (or a software communications program
running in terminal mode) which is setup to talk to the
plotter's TERMINAL port. The plotter's terminal port is the
serial port located on the back of the plotter which is
numbered 8503. Details on using Terminal Operations are found
in the problem summary; HOW TO SETUP A TERMINAL FOR THE
PLOTTER (and in the User's Guide, Chapter 6).
a. The plotter's port settings are called COM parameters
(in Terminal Operations) and are summarized as follows:
COM
PARAMETER EXPLANATION EXAMPLE
--------------------------------------------------------
MODE sets the plotter for a DIR
specific data protocol
DIR, XONXOFF, (DIR, XONXOFF,
and ACKNAK are serial
protocols. CENT is for
centronics parallel)
SYNC sets Sync Code value and $16,$16
the number of Syncs 6,
(2 sync codes shown, with a
value of hexadecimal 16)
EOB sets the End-of-Byte code $0D
CSUM sets Checksum to either ON Y
or OFF (Y = ON)
FRAME sets plotter's character 7,1,E
framing (required for
serial port only)
CLOCK should always be set to ASYNC
ASYNC for IBM PC's &
Compatibles
When using Terminal Operations to configure the plotter's
port, the Sync code and EOB values are to be entered as
hexadecimal numbers. The plotte's operating system
differentiates decimal numbers from hexadecimal by marking
them with a preceding character; the dollar sign ($). For
example; the Sync Code value of 16 would be entered as $16.
The Sync Code value of 2 would be entered as $2. The 0D
(for EOB) would be entered as $0D (using a terminal, see
chapter 6 of the 57000 User's Guide).
b. To verify the plotter Stepsize, enter the command
STEPSIZE (at the terminal prompt). The plotter should
then ECHO back the current stepsize setting. To change
the Stepsize, enter as follows (at the terminal prompt);
STEPSIZE = 400 (or 2032, for example).
c. To find out what revision your plotter's controller is,
enter REV at the terminal prompt. The plotter should
then ECHO back the firmware revision
for your plotter (example: 908K, rev 3.11).
6. RUN A TEST FILE FROM DOS TO CONFIRM THAT THE PLOTTER WORKS
WITH YOUR COMPUTER: This test presumes you have a good cable
and your computer is connected directly to the plotter - with
any switch boxes having been removed from the system (please
see Note #7, on switch boxes).
Test basic connectivity by sending a plot from DOS. A test
file for the CalComp 907/PCI plot format is available from
CalComp's Web site (http://www.calcomp.com), under the filename
TESTPCI.ZIP. Download TESTPCI.ZIP and unzip the file with
PKUNZIP version 2.04G or later. This version of PKWARE is
also available from CalComp s Web site (and includes
documentation on how to use PKUNZIP). This 907/PCI test file
(TESTPCI.PLT) has the following configuration:
Sync = 16, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 0D, Checksum = YES,
Stepsize = 2032
Anytime you want to confirm that the plotter and computer
work, run the following test (NOTE: A DOS batch file named
TESTPLOT.BAT is included and will run the procedures below
automatically. To use the batch program, type TESTPLOT and
then press ENTER at the DOS prompt):
a. Configure DOS with the following MODE statement for the
parallel port: (Note: DOS is not case sensitive,
otherwise, enter the MODE statement exactly as shown,
beginning with the word MODE. The letter 'n' in LPTn is
for the port number, for example LPT2)
MODE LPT1:,,P
b. Copy the 907/PCI test file to the parallel port using
the following DOS command line shown below (Note: DOS is
not case sensitive, otherwise, enter the COPY statement
exactly as shown, beginning with the word COPY. The
letter 'n' in LPTn is for the port number, for example
LPT2)
COPY TESTPCI.PLT LPT1
When the test file plots it provides proof that there is
good basic connectivity with your computer system and
CalComp plotter.
7. IF A SWITCH BOX IS BEING USED: (A/B manual or electronic)
Switch boxes often create connectivity problems which can only
be isolated and confirmed by removing the switch box and
running a test. Remove the switch box and run a test (see note
#6 ABOVE). When the test file plots it provides proof that
there is good basic connectivity with your computer system and
plotter.
CalComp provides assistance only on equipment which we
manufacture. If problems appear to occur only when a switch
box is connected, please contact the switch box manufacturer's
help line or consult their support documentation.
B. NO RESPONSE FROM THE PLOTTER:
This step presumes that all of the previous steps (as outlined in
Notes A1-A7 for centronics parallel) have been worked through and
the plotter still does not respond. This means you could not
successfully run the basic test which was given above (see note
A6), yet you are able to run the plotter's Confidence Plot. The
following additional problems could be the cause:
1. Defective parallel cable
2. Parallel port assignment on the PC
3. Defective computer parallel port
4. Defective CalComp plotter parallel port interface
C. NO RESPONSE FROM THE PLOTTER - TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES:
This step (C) presumes that all of the previous steps (as outlined
in Notes A1-A7 for centronics parallel) have been worked through
(you have the correct type of cable, and the plotter's port
configuration matches EXACTLY what is setup in the test plot file
and your PC's port parameters) and the plotter still does not
respond (i.e., you could not successfully run the basic test given
in step A, note #6), however, you are able to run the plotter's
Confidence Plot. The following additional guidelines should help
you to isolate the current problem:
1. PARALLEL CABLE TESTS: The easiest way to test a centronics
parallel cable is to connect it to any other device which
supports parallel (MOST printers have a centronics parallel
port) and is currently in use as a parallel device. If the
cable being tested does not work, it is probably defective. If
it does work, either the plotter port setup is wrong, the
plotter port is defective or the computer port is defective.
Another way is to try a parallel cable that is currently
working with a another printer or plotter per the following
steps:
a. Remove the known working parallel cable from the printer
it has been working with.
b. Now connect the parallel cable which did not work with
the CalComp plotter to the printer which does work.
c. Test this cable by running job to it. If it does not
work you can be reasonably certain that this parallel
cable is probably defective.
d. Now connect the good parallel cable (removed in the
first step) to the plotter. It should work. If not, call
CalComp for assistance1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
2. INCORRECT PARALLEL PORT ASSIGNMENT:
a. Be sure the parallel port you have assigned to the
plotter driver is the same number as the port you are
actually connected to. If, for example, you are
connected to LPT2, then you must assign LPT2 as the port
to be used by your software program's (CAD, graphics,
etc.) plotter driver.
If your PC has two parallel ports, you must confirm
which port the parallel cable is connected to (is it
LPT1 or LPT2?). Ports on the back of a PC are usually
marked as to what they are. However, sometimes they are
not. If you aren't sure which port is which, please
refer to your computer manufacturer's documentation.
3. THE PLOTTER OR COMPUTER MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE INTERFACE: This
step presumes you have a good cable, the port configuration on
the plotter matches EXACTLY what is setup for both the plot
file parameters and the PC s port communications, and the
plotter is able to run its Confidence Plot.
a. PARALLEL INTERFACE: This step presumes you have a good
parallel cable, the port configuration on the plotter
matches EXACTLY what is setup on for the plot file, and
the plotter is able to run its Confidence Plot.
i. Try a different computer. Any PC can be used (DOS
5.0 or greater preferred). The same cable should be
used if at all possible. If that is not possible,
be sure to use a known working parallel cable. If
the plotter works with second computer but will not
work with the first, you can be reasonably certain
there is probably a parallel port defect on the
first PC tested.
If the plotter does not work with the second computer
(which was confirmed to be setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cabling), call CalComp for
further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
4. PLOTTER PARALLEL INTERFACE: This step presumes you have a good
parallel cable, the port configuration on the plotter matches
EXACTLY what is setup for the plot file, and the plotter is
able to run its Confidence Plot.
NOTE ON 5700 SERIES CENTRONICS COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS:
The 5700 series plotters using the standard CalComp 908K
controller do not have 100% reliable centronics interfaces. In
order to work reliably in centronics mode, the 908K controller
must be upgraded to either an XK controller, revision 1.02 or
greater, or an XP (the XP controller is recommended). The XP
controller may be ordered with P/N 701460-8.
The 57000 series plotters DO NOT have a centronics parallel
compatibility problem.
To find out what revision controller your plotter has, enter
REV at the terminal prompt. The plotter will then ECHO back
(to the terminal) your plotter's firmware revision (for
example: 908K, rev 3.11)
a. Try a different computer. Any PC can be used (DOS 5.0 or
greater preferred). The same cable should be used if at
all possible. If that is not possible, be sure to use a
known working parallel cable. If the plotter works with
second computer but will not work with the first, you
can be reasonably certain there is probably a parallel
port defect on the first PC tested.
If the plotter does not work with the second computer
(which was confirmed to be setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cabling), call CalComp for
further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).