Technical difficulties with ZX Spectrum +3 and Amstrad CPC6128

[AmstradCPCcool]

Hi there,
I'm having problems using the Retroprinter on both the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC6128. I connect the Retroprinter to my Raspberry and put the 8GB SD card into the Retroprinter. The Amsoft PL-1 printer is connected from the printer socket to the socket on the Retroprinter. I connect a Canon PIXMA printer to the Raspberry. With the ZX Spectrum +3 , using the +3 Basic, I use the LPRINT command to send data to the Retroprinter. What happens is that the Orange and Blue small LEDs start to flash as well as the small lights near the network connection socket. Nothing comes through on the printer. When I use the Amstrad CPC6128 the same thing happens but I use a program called Mini Office which has a Word processor to print documentation. In addition my PC does not recognise the Raspberry via the IP address.

Ideally. I would like to be able to print documents straight off as though it was a normal printer. I would be happy though if I could print PDFs versions of the data sent.

What is it I'm doing wrong?

[RWAP]

Is /root/config/output_printer set to Yes and /root/config/emulation set to Epson?

Did you install the Canon Pixma printer in CUPS (that is used by the Raspberry Pi to print the PDF)?

If you have edited any of the config files using Windows (instead of using Nano on the Raspberry Pi), the line endings might be wrong, in which case the files get ignored.

Is there anything in the /home/pi/data/pdf directory? That should contain anything that is captured.

It can also help if you show the values in /home/pi/data/retroprinter.log or email the contents of /home/pi/data to me !!

[AmstradCPCcool]

Yes /root/config/output_printer set to Yes and /root/config/emulation set to Epson.

I also installed the Canon Pixma printer through CUPS

How do I access /home/pi/data/pdf directory or how do I show the values in /home/pi/data/retroprinter.log ?

[AmstradCPCcool]

Just looking at some of the other topics, I have a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and there is a discussion of a power drain. When I attach the centronics cable to the RetroPrinter and switch everything on, the LED lights don't switch on as bright. This is for both the Amstrad and Spectrum +3.

Could this be the problem? Has a solution been found ?

[RWAP]

Just looking at some of the other topics, I have a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and there is a discussion of a power drain. When I attach the centronics cable to the RetroPrinter and switch everything on, the LED lights don't switch on as bright. This is for both the Amstrad and Spectrum +3.

Could this be the problem? Has a solution been found ?

The power drain is on the Pi 3 Model B+, not the Pi 3 Model B - can you check that you have a Pi 3 Model B.

Do you also have the metal cross-over adaptor which corrects the pinout issue on the centronics connector?

[RWAP]

Yes /root/config/output_printer set to Yes and /root/config/emulation set to Epson.

I also installed the Canon Pixma printer through CUPS

How do I access /home/pi/data/pdf directory or how do I show the values in /home/pi/data/retroprinter.log ?

Are you accessing the Raspberry Pi using the Bitvise SSH tool (as per the manual)? If so, you can use the FTP window to navigate to any directory to transfer files between a PC and the Raspberry Pi.

If you don't and are accessing the Raspberry Pi using a keyboard and monitor, then use:

cd /home/pi/data/pdf (change directory)
dir (list directory contents)

You can also use:
cd /home/pi/data
nano retroprinter.log

to get the log data

[AmstradCPCcool]

Hi there,

It is a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B not the + model.

I do not have the the metal cross-over adaptor which corrects the pinout issue on the centronics connector? Where can I buy this?

I'll email the log data I've received.

[RWAP]

PM sent re the cross-over adaptor - this will probably fix the issue.

[AmstradCPCcool]

Found the adaptor works perfectly!!

[RWAP]

Glad to hear it is all working fine