How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in SERIAL
How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in SERIAL
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 SERIAL PORT:
1. Verify the cable and serial communications with the following
guidelines:
a. The 25 pin computer serial port (RS-232) requires a
female-to-male straight (modem) cable with pin #'s 2
thru 8 and 20 being used (CalComp P/N 11772-0250). The
9-pin RS-232 computer serial port requires the standard
IBM 9-to-25 (female to male) cable.
.
b. SERIAL CABLE MAX LENGTH = 50' (double shielded type
recommended, CalComp P/N 11772-0250). Specially designed
cables which exceed the 50' 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?
c. The computer and plotter must match in baud rate, data
bits, stop bit, & parity (data bits, stop bit, and
parity are known together as the character or data
framing), and handshake. The handshake is called Plot
Data Protocol (on the plotter s serial port
configuration list) and is either CTS (which means Clear
To Send and stands for hardware handshaking. Hardware
handshaking is also known as Direct Control), Xon/Xoff,
or Ack/Nak. See example below:
9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and CTS
plot data protocol
2. THE PLOTTER'S SERIAL 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
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
When using OPCOM to configure the plotter s port (see
Note #A-3 on OPCOM, below), the Sync code and EOM values
are to be entered as hexadecimal numbers. The plotter s
operating system differentiates decimal numbers from
hexadecimal by marking them with a preceding character;
the dollar sign ($). For example; the Sync Code value
shown as 16 (above) would be entered as $16. The 2 above
would be $2. The 0D would $0D (using a terminal and
OPCOM, see chapter's 10-12 of the User s Guide, P/N
M0016-031). The number of Sync codes is not a
hexadecimal value. Do not use a dollar sign ($) sign for
that value (it s an absolute value, just enter the
number 1 or 2, as the case may be).
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 is 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 one of the following MODE statements
for parallel or serial (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; COM2):
MODE COMn:9600,N,8,1,P
(Note: Be sure the plotter baud rate and data framing
matches 9600, n, 8, 1 and it is set for CTS
handshake.)
b. Copy the 907/PCI test file 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'
stands for the port number, for example; COM2):
COPY TESTPCI.PLT COMn
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 while 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 serial communications) 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), yet you are able to run the plotter's Confidence Plot. The
following additional problems could be the cause:
1. Defective plotter cable
2. Com port assignment conflict on the PC
3. Defective computer serial port (or interface card)
4. Defective CalComp plotter interface (one or all ports not
working)
C. NO RESPONSE FROM THE PLOTTER - TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES:
This step (C) presumes that all of the previous steps (as outlined
in notes A1-A6 for serial communications) 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. One way
to do this is to check the wire connection from one end (pin
connecter) of the cable to the other. Each pin must be checked
this way using a common electrical Ohmmeter (multimeter) or
electrical continuity checker. CalComp does not provide these
common tools (they are available from most hardware stores).
a. SERIAL CABLE TESTS: Test the serial cable for correct
*pin assignments, electrical continuity, and possible
shorts (A short occurs when cable wires which should be
isolated are connected to one another. For example;
pin's 1 on both ends of the cable are supposed to be
connected and test OK, however, pin 1 and pin 3 also
test as being connected - this is a short). *Call
CalComp for assistance IF you do not know what your
cable's wiring is supposed to be.
Another way to test is to try a second serial cable that
is currently working with a another printer or plotter.
Be sure the second serial cable meets the CalComp
plotter requirements. If your tests prove that you have
a good serial cable but the plotter still does not work
- GO TO STEPS C2 and C3 for further assistance.
2. COM PORT ASSIGNMENTS ON THE PC: If you are getting some DOS
error messages, these error messages often relate to problems
with the PC hardware or DOS I/O conflicts.
Most DOS I/O conflicts come from two sources; memory resident
programs (TSR's), and shared COM port addresses (called
interrupts).
a. If there are TSR's on your system, unload them from
memory (either all of them or one-by-one) and reboot the
system clean (a clean reboot implies that the system is
reset but the TSR s are not loaded). DO NOT TRY TO PLOT
AGAIN UNTIL YOU HAVE REBOOTED YOUR PC WITHOUT THE TSR'S
LOADING. Once the system is up again, try the test given
in Note A5 above. If the plotter works now, the earlier
problems would appear to have been caused by at least
one of the memory resident programs on your PC system.
b. COM port conflicts usually occur if there is one port
address being used by two I/O devices connected to your
PC. There is usually a DOS or Windows error message
displayed when these problems occur. They are especially
common now that most people have standardized on Windows
and are trying to get the most out of their 486/586
PC's. COM port conflicts can be difficult to resolve,
even for an experienced PC user. The reason these I/O
conflicts occur is simple; someone configured the PC for
I/O devices which share the same interrupts. CalComp
does not provide configuration assistance for PC
systems. CalComp does offer assistance in the setup and
correct use of all DOS and Windows drivers which we
provide.
I/O conflicts can take a lot of time to sort out,
therefore it is suggested here that, in the spirit of
possibly saving time and getting to the bottom of
whether or not your plotter is actually failing, test
the plotter with another PC as explained in the next
step (3).
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. SERIAL INTERFACE: The PC may give a communications
error if it has an internal hardware problem. Whether or
not DOS system errors have been displayed, perform the
following test:
i. Try a different computer. Any PC (286 or better)
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 good one
that EXACTLY meets the plotter's requirements If
the plotter works with a second computer you can be
reasonably certain the original communication
problems were probably caused by either an I/O
conflict or port defect on the first computer
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).