Need help on setup

[Ken Simmons]

I have a C-64C, USB HP Envy 5530 Printer, Pi 3B+, v4 retro-Printer, Cardco Card/Print +G Centronics Parallel Printer Interface (1984). The Print +G is hookup to the Serial 6-Pin IEC and Cassette Port (+5v) on the C-64. Have Windows 11. The Centronics connector is plugged into the printer port on the Retro-Printer. The Print +G box does have DIP switched inside the box to set to Epson, Prowriter and Siekosha type printers. But I don't see any HP printers listed. I have the HP Envy printer hooked up to the USB port on the Retro-Printer box. I did a test from the Print +G manual, "Open4,4, at the "Ready" prompt on the C-64 screen, type "CMD4", if everything is OK, it should print out. But nothing happens. Ok here is where I am not sure what to do next. Do I determine what DIP settings to use for the HP printer first, then do I need Bitvise SSH Client and CUPS. I installed Bitvise, but can't figure out how to get it setup. I made a folder in C:/user/xxxx/root/retro-printer.tlp. Have no idea how to get CUPS installed. I was hoping there would be a You Tube video on setting up Retro-Printer in relation to Bitvise Client and CUPS and Windows. Take care.

[RWAP]

Have a look at the quick start guides. A video would be a good idea if I knew how to make one! I find videos less helpful than a manual but maybe that is just me.

You leave the c64 set up for Epson and the Retro-Printer configured to run with default Epson emulation. Cupa is installed and used to install he usb hp printer as your default printer from the Retro-Printer module.

Simply use a browser to go to Https://Retro-Printer:631 to access the CUPS interface.

[Ken Simmons]

I haven't been able to go to this site (retro-printer:631), broswer can't find this address. Try to go to this site before writing this post. I did setup the Print +G DIP switches inside to Epson type settings. Set DIP 7 (ASCII Correction) and DIP 8 (Auto Line Feed) to on.Take care.

[RWAP]

I haven't been able to go to this site (retro-printer:631), broswer can't find this address. Try to go to this site before writing this post. I did setup the Print +G DIP switches inside to Epson type settings. Set DIP 7 (ASCII Correction) and DIP 8 (Auto Line Feed) to on.Take care.

You need the Retro-Printer powered up and connected to the same network as your PC.

https://retro-printer:631 should work, but if not then you need to find the IP address for the Retro-Printer and use that, for example:
https://192.168.1.12:631

Open up Bitvise, and connect to the Retro-Printer using Bitvise:

Screenshot 2023-12-07 164019.png (58.24 KiB) Viewed 3614 times

Set the host as retro-printer
Port 22
Username: root
Initial method: password
Password is rootroot

Then click Log in and you should be able to connect to the Retro-Printer. You should see a console window open similar to:

Screenshot 2023-12-07 164212.png (14.39 KiB) Viewed 3614 times

The IP address is given at the top.
If it doesn't appear click on "New Terminal Console" on Bitvise (on the left hand side).

[Ken Simmons]

Hi there, I will give it a try later. I understand the general steps now on the setup. Had to install a new router for other reasons. Take care.

[Ken Simmons]

Hi there, I did find my IP address for the Retro-printer, I had the ethernet hooked up to my router and the Retro-printer. I was able to print a test page from Windows. So the Retro-printer is working. My HP Envy 5530 is only connected to my PC computer through Retro-Printer via Ethernet. But I can't get Bitvise to connect to Retro-printer. Connection fails. Have attached two screen shots. I am thinking about checking printer interface box, to see if the voltages are correct, check the electronic components since these are 40 years old. Take care.

[RWAP]

Weid that the name retro-printer is not being recognised, but you can just use the IP address in the host box of Bitvise (instead of retro-printer)

[Ken Simmons]

When I get into CUPS admin, if I select "add printer", I get a message stating internet connection is not secured". But if I select "Manage Printers", my Retro-printer showup. I noticed that there is "hpcups 3.2..." listed, is this already setup for HP printer HP. I have attached a screen shot.

[RWAP]

Yes you often need to change the url to https when you first enter CUPS for some reason.

It looks as though your default printer has set itself up automatically - if you go into administration (change the URL to https at the start), you will be asked for the root username and password. You can then set it as the default printer and try printing a test page to see if the printer is properly installed

[Ken Simmons]

Hi there, on your last response, I haven't never been asked for the root username or password. Currently I am using http://raspberrypi:631/admin/.
If I go to "Printers" tab, I have listed "Queue: Envy 5530 Series, Description: HP Envy 5530 Series, Location: raspberrypi, Make and Model: HP Envy 5530 Series, hpcups3.18.12, Status: Idle. Now I would leave CUPS open, startup Bitvise, for "Host" I would type in "raspberrypi". Username: root, password: rootroot. The Ehternet is hooked up to Retro-Printer, power is connted to box, USB is connected beweet box and printer. Micrgrafix MW-350 first three switches are set to ON, OFF, ON and the last three are ON. I checked to power in the MW-350 case, were a brown wire coming from the printer port, which I believe is connected to Pin 18, the trace from this Brown wire go's to the aux. AC adapter port, if your printer doesn't supply the 5v.

Have attached a screenshot of Bitvise errors. In the "Host" box I have tried "retro-printer", 192.168.1.81. and others that I don't remember. Just can't get Bitvise to work. What I would like to do is have the C-64 connected to either a Cardco Card Print +G or a Micrografix MW-350 (this has HP Thinkjet settings). ca. 1984. Then this is connected to Retro-Printer and Retro-Printer connected to the HP Envy 5530. No ethernet connected to Retro Printer. Mainly want to use it to print out programs (In Work) listings. Since I haven't been able to see the Retro-Printer CUPS Config. settings, I assume it is on the default HP settings., what ever they are. As of right now, both Cardco (Print B and +G interface) and Micro R& D (Micrografix MW-350) documention state to use the basic following commands to check correct setup. "Open 4,4" After the "Ready" prompt, type "CMD 4". "Ready" should print out. Most of the times, after pressing the "Return" key, the cursor dissappears. Have to reset the computer. I removed both out board jumpers. Only have "Pin 18" set. The switch on top of the box is set to "I", beleive this is "ON". I have another Micrografix MW-350 coming today, that has a "Push-Button" in place. So I have a Cardco Card Print B and a +G interface and two MW-350's. I hoping I can get one of the MW-350 to work, with the HP Thinkjet settings. Not sure if you have any of these Printer interfaces cards, if not, it might nice to have one or two for testing. Right now I am in limbo, not sure if the problem is in my CUPS config settings / Windows settings or the Printer interfaces need to be worked on. Replacing old capacitors, ect.

Under Windows 11, I typed" CMD", "IPconfig /all". My IP address for Ethernet 4 is IPv4...192.168.1.81. But if I try "http://192.168.1.81:631/admin/" it doesn't work. I noticed that "IP Routing Enable....No" and "WINS Proxy Enable.......No", not sure if this is important. Under Windows, Settings/Bluetooth & Drivers/Printers & Scanners/ HP Envy 5530 Series@raspberrypi/ Printer Properties: General/Location: raspberrypi. Comment: HP Envy 5530 series. Model: Microsoft IPP Class Driver. Sharing/ Share Printer: Share name: HP Envy 5530 Series@raspberrypi. Port: WSD-b......IPP Port HP Envy 5530 Series@raspberrypi. Adv.: (checked) Always Availiable. Spool Print Documents so program finishes printing faster. Start Printing after last page. Print spooled documents first. Take care.

Ken Simmons