How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in Parallel
How to communicate with IBM-PC/Compatibles in Parallel
Model: 54424/54436 (Solus 4 series)
Please Note: This plotter series supports CalComp 907/PCI vector format,
the CalComp Raster Format (CCRF), HPGL, and HP/GL2 (HP 7600 emulation).
HP/RTL is supported with firmware revision 3.11 or greater.
The Solus 4 also supports TIFF and CALSG4. For detailed information print
TIFF and CALSG4 files, refer to the Plotter Reference Manual (P/N M0016-
310). The Solus 4 User's Guide P/N is M0016-280.
PostScript (LEVEL 1 ONLY) is supported if the PostScript upgrade option
for the Solus 4 has been ordered and installed (CalComp order P/N 22962-
1008).
A. IF THE PLOTTER IS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER'S PARALLEL PORT :
1. The Solus 4 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. PLOT FILES ARE AUTOSENSED BY SOLUS 4 PLOTTERS:
CalComp 907/PCI, HPGL, HP/GL2, CCRF, and CALSG4 are all
automatically recognized by the plotter.
There are more than 100 different types of TIFF file. CalComp
supports one of the most common 'flavors'. Please refer to
your Plotter Reference Manual (chapter 6) for specific details
on TIFF file requirements.
CalComp 907/PCI plot files include a Stepsize (steps-per-inch)
upon which vectors are precisely calculated. The Stepsize is
NOT Autosensed by the plotter. The Stepsize must be configured
in the Control Panel, under Port Setup.
The Stepsize on the plotter must match what the CAD
application software's plotter driver is configured for. The
factory default Stepsize setting for 54424/54436 plotters is
400 dpi. Both plotters may also be set to 2032 (as well as a
number of others). The Stepsize DOES NOT impact the resolution
quality of the plot file - only the internal vector
calculations..
When there is a Stepsize mismatch, the plot will come out
either much too small or much too large.
3. VERIFY PLOTTER OPERATION BY RUNNING THE DEMO PLOT:
Run the plotter's Demonstration Plot (DEMO PLOT 1). Please see
the User's Guide, page 5-10. If the demo plot runs, it means
the plotter's operation is sound.
4. 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 #5, 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'
in LPTn 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'
in LPTn stands for the port number, for example; LPT1):
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.
5. 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
#4 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-A5 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 A4,
above), yet you are able to run the plotter's Demonstration 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-A5 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 #4), however, you are able to run the plotter's
Demonstration 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 further 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 Demonstration 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 Demonstration 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
assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).