How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in PARALLEL
How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in PARALLEL
Models: 68000 series
Please Note: This plotter series supports only the CalComp 907/PCI vector
format, the CalComp Raster Format (CCRF), and HPGL (HP/GL2 support is
available with firmware version 4.05 or greater. The firmware revision is
always displayed on the plotter's Control Panel momentarily during it's
boot-up sequence. It comes up right after the System Initializing message
is complete).
An optional firmware upgrade which enables the plotter to support the CGM
format is available. The CGM upgrade may be purchased by contacting the
CalComp service center at 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
Neither PostScript nor the AppleTalk interface are supported.
A. IF THE PLOTTER IS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER'S PARALLEL PORT :
1. The 68000 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?
2. 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). For HPGL see note (b) below.
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
On the plotter, using OPCOM, the Sync code and EOM
values are to be entered as hexadecimal numbers. This is
understood by the plotter when you precede those values
with a dollar sign ($). For example; the sync code value
(also called the Sync Character) would be entered as $16.
b. For HPGL, the plotter's port must be set to the HPGL (or
CPGL) plot command language. The recommended HP model
type is 7585A or 7585B (both work the same) for the
68436. In most cases, including current Windows & DOS
programs, the factory default emulation of CLCMP is the
best choice because it automatically works correctly
with both large and small format HPGL drivers. Selecting
an HP model in the plotter's port configuration is
required only on a few older HPGL drivers, most of which
were written prior to 1990. The 68000 series plotters
support HP/GL2 (EMULATING the 7600) ONLY with firmware
revision 4.05 or greater installed. The firmware
revision is always displayed on the plotter's Control
Panel momentarily during it's boot-up sequence. It comes
up right after the System Initializing message is
completed.
3. HOW TO VERIFY THE PLOTTER'S PORT CONFIGURATION:
Run the plotter's self-test (see the User's Guide, Appendix C,
pages C-5 through C-7). A listing for each port (2 serial and
2 parallel) and the default palette of 1024 colors is printed
on the self-test (called the EMBEDDED CONTROLLER TEST). Here
are the steps to run this test.
a. Be sure the plotter is turned on and is in READY (AUTO)
mode.
b. Place the plotter into MANUAL mode by pressing the AUTO
key once.
c. Next, press and hold the AUTO key, and, while holding
the AUTO key, momentarily press and release both the
FEED and CUT keys. Then release the AUTO key.
d. The LED Control Panel display should now read; Testplot
#0 Press Y or N (CUT to exit). At this time, press the
YES key (also labeled CANCEL key).
The self-test should now begin to process. If you can't get
the EMBEDDED CONTROLLER TEST (#0) to work, Call CalComp for
further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
4. HOW TO CHANGE THE PLOTTER'S PORT CONFIGURATION:
There are two ways to change the plotter's ports. One is with
a CDCL file and the other is with a DUMB TERMINAL which is
setup to talk to the plotter's TERMINAL port (using OPCOM).
Details on using either of these methods are found in the
problem summaries; HOW TO USE CDCL and HOW TO SETUP A TERMINAL
FOR OPCOM.
5. 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 #6, 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
A CDCL (CalComp Device Control Language) file is included
which will help to configure your port. 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
parallel (Note: DOS is not case sensitive, otherwise,
enter the MODE statement exactly as shown, beginning
with the word MODE. The letter 'n' stands for the port
number, for example; LPT1):
MODE LPTn:,,P
b. Copy the 907/PCI test file using the following DOS
command line shown below (Note: DOS is not case
sensitive, otherwise, enter the MODE statement exactly
as shown, beginning with the word MODE. The letter 'n'
stands for the port number, for example; LPT2):
COPY TESTPCI.PLT LPTn
When the test file plots it provides proof that there is
good basic connectivity with your computer system and
CalComp plotter.
6. 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
#5 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-A6 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 A5,
above), yet you are able to run the plotter's Confidence Plot. The
following additional problems could be the cause:
1. Defective plotter cable
2. Incorrect parallel port assignment on the PC
3. Defective computer parallel port (or interface card)
4. Defective CalComp plotter interface
C. NO RESPONSE FROM THE PLOTTER - TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES:
This step (C) presumes that all of the previous steps (as outlined
in both Notes A1-A6 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 port parameters) and the plotter still does not respond
(i.e., you could not successfully run the basic test given in step
A, note #5), however, you are able to run the plotter's Confidence
Plot. The following additional guidelines should help you to
isolate the current problem:
1. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CABLE: Do not assume the cable is good. The
correct cable may still be a defective cable. Cables are
exposed to handling and as such their wires and connectors are
susceptible to damage that often cannot be seen. The only sure
way to know you have a good cable is to test it.
a. 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:
i. Remove the known working parallel cable from the
printer it has been working with.
ii. Now connect the parallel cable which did not work
with the CalComp plotter to the printer which does
work.
iii. 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.
iv. Now connect the good parallel cable (removed in the
first step) to the plotter. It should work. If not, call CalComp
for assistance 1-800-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).