Aloha Slow Printers 1

[joenoreason]

Could someone please help me with epson TM88IIIP Parallel printers connected to windows XP running aloha?

When I print, it prints very slowly. Like one line per two seconds.

Could someone please run me through the proper way to setup parallel printers in aloha?

Thanks a lot

 

[Circle9]

I would download the EPSON drivers from [link h

https://www.epsonexpert.com/Epson_Assets/APD_403EWM.exe

]here[/url]. Install the printer drivers in Windows. Make sure Aloha is not running (kill the IBER.EXE process and make sure to close the batch file if one is open) before you start the install. Follow the instructions, and when the printer is finished installing, open Aloha Manager. Go to Maintenance -> Hardware -> Printers. Once you select a printer from the drop down menu, change the Type to Windows Printer. Go to the Windows Printers & Faxes and click File -> Rename. Copy the name of the printer and paste it into the Windows Printer Name field. Then select TM-T80 from the drop down that says Windows Printer Type. This should speed up your printer. Be sure to refresh the system.

If you need me to clarify more, please ask - I do not have access to a system to know the exact procedure.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to this forum!

 

[coorsman]

After W98 parallel printers won't work with aloha on the terminals. We have switched to serial printers. A serial interface card for the epson printers is about $40.

Coorsman

 

[Circle9]

You could also use a Parallel to USB cable. I am using one with my EPSON TM-U220 and it is working great for me!

Thank you to everyone who contributes to this forum!

 

[DTSMAN]

Coorsman is correct. Parallel printers are flat out flakey and slow.

Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com

 

[alohaakamai3]

Yep, they are horribly slow. Exactly how slow seems to very with the terminal to which it's connected. I remember fiddling with the bios of a particular PC- where you can change the type of communication the LPT port uses (usually there are like 3 settings)- and that helped a bit, but a serial is still at least twice as fast.

We NEVER use them. The only time we run across them anymore is when a customer decides to try to save some money buying them online and asks us to come set it up. At that point we tell them it's really not the proper printer, and that we can still use it, but they will not be thrilled with it's speed.

But I have seen a few that, when paired with certain PCs, were almost unusable in a busy rush.

 

[m0dE]

I have the same issue with my TM-88 III
Has anyone tried using usb to parallel adapter?
Does it improve the printing speed?
thanks.

 

[Circle9]

I bought a USB to parallel adapter from cablestogo.com and it really helps the printing speed.

 

[alohapm]

I have used OPOS drivers for paralle printers.

 

[ezcrane]

swap the parallel card with a serial. you can find them anywhere.

 

[alohaakamai3]

As been said, stay away from parallel printers if you can.
The only time I ever mess with them is when a customer tries to buy one online and accidentally gets the wrong one, then asks for my help. And even then I usually tell them just to return it and get a serial.

If it helps any though, I have found that you can occassionally speed up the printers by altering the communication of the parallel port in the BIOS. It wasn't blazing fast, but it was acceptable most of the time. Unfortunately, I can't remember what the exact change is since I don't have to do it too often, but there are only like 3 different options to try. You will just have to try them. But could usually get it work well enough where the customer was ok with it.

 

[joenoreason]

I have some serial cards that I can swap the parallel out with.

What type of serial cables do the printers use? Standard or Null modem Cables? Or do they use a non standard cable?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Circle9]

Serial printers use null modem cables.