Printing SCO UNIX 5.04, what is the best printer? 1

[UNIXHELP]

Hello

I am having difficulty getting anything to print from my SCO UNIX 5.04 machine, using the parallel PORT. I think my problem may be the printer? I can't even print simple echo commands, and my printer shows that it is enabled. I am looking to purchase a printer at BEST BUY or a local retailer and need to know what printer to purchase is best suited for SCO UNIX 5.04. Thanks

 

[pcunix]

Any printer you like, as long as it is not a "Windows only" printer.

If it says it will work with Mac and Dos, it will work with Unix.

Generally cheap printers are the "Windows only" type.

One other thing- you may need to set your parallel port (in your BIOS) to "standard" mode..

So "date > /dev/lp0" doesn't work? What printer is this?

Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[pcunix]

Oh, and one more thing:

You did run "mkdev parallel" to add the parrallel port to the kernel, right? It's not there by default.

If the port shows up in "hwconfig" it either needs to be "Standard mode" in the BIOS, or the interrupt is wrong, or you have a "Windows" printer. Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[UNIXHELP]

The Printer is an EPSON LQ870. I will look in the BIOS for Standard mode.
Thanks
UNIXHELP.

 

[UNIXHELP]

In response to this question, does anyone know what model of HP Deskjet printer will work with SCO UNIX 5.04 and is not considered a windows only printer.
Thanks
UNIXHELP.

 

[pcunix]

I've never lookled at any of them, but my guess would be none of them. Just a guess, though. Same advice as above- if they don't say they work with Dos and Mac, they probably are Windows only. You can probably find that out at HP's web site, I would think.

The more important point to consider is do you really want an ink jet printer? True laserjets only cost a few hundred dollars and the cartridges last a long, long. LONG time- those ink jets will eat you up in printing costs.

I have a HP LaserJet 6L here (yes, it's fine with Unix) that I've used for years- I think I only have changed the cartridge twice in all the time I've owned it.


Of course if you ned color, that's a different story. Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[edfair]

I've had several 500 and 600 series installed at various times. Anything that can emulate a HP-IIP in DOS will work.
You might want to look at used IIP or IIIP. They sell refurbed $200 to $250 and most run forever. One problem is page length. But that can be a problem with any laser.
Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Megabitman]

I've used various flavors of HP inkjets (again, check the windows only stuff), but models that come to mind that work are the 855, 895 series... If I remember right, stay away from the *42 series; it seems to me that those are windows only ones.