Difference between revisions of "CPCI 8bit Printer Mod"

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[[Category:Printers and printer ports]][[Category:DIY]]
 
[[Category:Printers and printer ports]][[Category:DIY]]
An [[8bit Printer Ports|8bit Printer Port]] DIY extension from german magizine [[CPC Schneider International]] (issue 12'85, page 64).
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An [[8bit Printer Ports|8bit Printer Port]] DIY extension from German magazine [[CPC Schneider International]] (issue 12'85, page 64).
Connects Printer Bit7 to Joystick1 Select signal (joystick port pin8).
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Connects Printer Bit7 to Joystick 1 Select signal (joystick port pin8).
  
This solution isn't too recommened. Some drawbacks and problems are:
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This solution isn't too recommended. Some drawbacks and problems are:
 
* Joystick Select is an open-collector output, so HIGH levels may be unstable (this could be fixed by an additional pull-up resistor).
 
* Joystick Select is an open-collector output, so HIGH levels may be unstable (this could be fixed by an additional pull-up resistor).
 
* Bit7 may tend to be HIGH by default, so printing normal text won't work with normal software that doesn't support the mod (the schematic includes a switch to disable the mod manually).
 
* Bit7 may tend to be HIGH by default, so printing normal text won't work with normal software that doesn't support the mod (the schematic includes a switch to disable the mod manually).
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== Note ==  
 
== Note ==  
 
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Some years later the same magazine (renamed to [[PC Amstrad International]], issue  8/9'91, page 69) released another 8bit printer mod: This newer (and better) solution uses PPI.Pin12 (same as the [[Happy Computer 8bit Printer Mod]]). This modification is fully supported by [[FutureOS]].
Some years later the same magazine (renamed to [[PC Amstrad International]], issue  8/9'91, page 69) released another 8bit printer mod: This newer (and better) solution uses PPI.Pin12 (same as the [[Happy Computer 8bit Printer Mod]]).
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Latest revision as of 13:28, 19 April 2021

An 8bit Printer Port DIY extension from German magazine CPC Schneider International (issue 12'85, page 64). Connects Printer Bit7 to Joystick 1 Select signal (joystick port pin8).

This solution isn't too recommended. Some drawbacks and problems are:

  • Joystick Select is an open-collector output, so HIGH levels may be unstable (this could be fixed by an additional pull-up resistor).
  • Bit7 may tend to be HIGH by default, so printing normal text won't work with normal software that doesn't support the mod (the schematic includes a switch to disable the mod manually).

The circuit can be connected internally to the mainboard, or externally to the joystick/printer port connectors.

Original Article

Note

Some years later the same magazine (renamed to PC Amstrad International, issue 8/9'91, page 69) released another 8bit printer mod: This newer (and better) solution uses PPI.Pin12 (same as the Happy Computer 8bit Printer Mod). This modification is fully supported by FutureOS.