Epson Equity I Product Support Bulletin page 48

EPSON
EPSON AMERICA INC.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
PRODUCT SUPPORT BULLETIN
DATE: 12/14/87
Equity Series with Microsoft Word and Serial Printers
SUBJECT:
This bulletin is to inform you of a
Microsoft Word, certain Equity computers and a serial printer. The
situation exists on:
Equity I
Equity I+
Equity II+
Equity III+ (10 MHz)
Equity III+ (12 MHz)
Apex
When Word is configured to drive a
COM2, it will print a character every 1 to 2 seconds. A single line
of text may take up to a minute to print.
Word uses BIOS interrupt
character to port) for driving either COM port. The function number
is placed in the AH register and the interrupt called. On return, AH
is supposed to contain the line control status. However, AH is still
set to 1, indicating that a character is ready to be received. Word
then calls interrupt 14h, function 2 (receive character) and attempts
to receive the character. After 1 to 2 seconds, the routine times out
and transmission is resumed.
There are three methods of correcting this situation:
1) If the printer supports hardware handshaking, redirect
the printer output
Word for LPT1. This works reliably with Epson printers
or similar devices.
Epson
2 )
This
returned from INT 14h,
available
Forums) and the Product Support Center BBS.
A revised ROM BIOS
3)
systems. This
supplied on an as-needed basis.
Method 1 is the
recommended for
large, multi-unit upgrades on an as-needed basis.
Please contact the Systems
information.
(serial
14h
has developed
is a TSR that
CompuServe
from
is a
easiest solution.
individual users. Method 3 should be reserved for
Support Group
Page 1 of 1
potential problem
BIOS rev. 2.21 or earlier
BIOS rev. 1.02
BIOS rev. 2.00
BIOS rev. 1.50 or earlier
BIOS rev. 2.00
BIOS rev.
serial printer
output)
(MODE LPT1:=COM1:)
patch program (SERFIX.COM).
a
insures that proper status is
function 1.
(Epson
has been developed for 'the above
limited release
Method 2 is effective
if you
NUMBER: S-0031
when using
1.00
via COM1 or
1 (send
function
and configure
program is
This
and Microsoft
and will only be
and is
need additional