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Printronix P6040 Line printer

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 6:18 pm
by dimSim
The Retro Printer works well as a replacement for the printronix line printer. 8-) So long as it has a centronix input - The dataproducts of course not suitable.
Mode IBM
page size L-A3
Thanks Rich for sorting out the A3.

BRgds
Mark

Re: Printronix P6040 Line printer

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 6:46 pm
by RWAP
Thanks for your patience whilst we tested the IBM ProPrinter emulation.

Why are dataproducts not suitable - is it just the physical connection?

Re: Printronix P6040 Line printer

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 7:51 pm
by dimSim
The dataproducts interface is a 50 pin connector and different control set.
On Gould/Encore computers I usually divert the printout to a serial line and capture/convert that to postscript. Occasionally I don't have any spare serial lines.

So I have a dataproducts to centronics converter https://www.photologic.ca/dc1.htm That has a bug that I may (after many years) have found a fix for. - notice it costs 10x the retroprinter!
I tested another computer recently with the above converter and the retro - it captured the data but I need to experiment with the emulations (I only tried IBM).

Re: Printronix P6040 Line printer

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 8:02 pm
by RWAP
I have also been contacted by someone else in the same line of business as yourself...

They have some machines with Printronix printers, but also at least one which is set to be used with Mannesmann Tally printers and needs a new emulator writing for that.

Perhaps a driver for the Dataproducts control set would also be useful - but you still have the issue of the connector!

Re: Printronix P6040 Line printer

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 9:22 pm
by dimSim
We have a Genicom as well (also has a dataproducts interface)
The best thing is to divert the output to a serial port then deal with it (unless they are all used up!)
I have two PC software based solutions for the serial dataproducts conversion.

I'll test one next week (printronix dataproducts) with the converter and retro and you can have a look at the raw for interest :-)