A forum for people having problems with their 1000, 1500 and 2068. If you would like to ask a question, send it to:
TS Comunique
c/o Time Designs Magazine Co.
29722 Hult Road
Colton, OR 97017
I have a Panasonic KX-P1091 printer that I use with MSCRIPT on my 2068. I cannot print in italics, pica, elite, or proportional (any multi-byte control codes); I have used various symbols (comma, “”, -, etc.), but no luck. Underline, bold, and double width print work well, but nothing else.
This really isn’t a “big thing”, but it just bothers me that I can’t use these functions. Any help you can give me would really be appreciated.
Jack Van Nest
San Diego, CA
Dear Jack,
You must define a code key for each part of the multi-byte control code. For example, to define for italics print (27+52 turns italics on and 27+53 turns italics off), define the code keys as follows in your first line of text: >#0=27,#1=52,#2=53
When you are ready to insert them into your text, use the function G to add @0@1 to where you want italics to start and @0@2 where you want it to end. -Joe
I am using a Panasonic CT-160 composite color monitor and cartridge software. The color display is excellent from my “main” 2068 computer. The display from my “backup” 2068 is also good while using a TV, but no color from the monitor output.
Was this a common factory problem, and if so, is there a repair that can be made at home without sending the unit through the mail?
John Buckmaster
Maspeth, NY
Dear John,
Yes to both questions. The video from the 2068 is not really up to standards. The color output seems to deviate the most. Your TV probably is a bit more tolerant of these signals and will work with your backup 2068. To help correct the problem, You must open up your 2068. Make sure that the power is off and be careful!
Pop-off the metal cover near the TV output connector and turn the little adjustment inside with a small screwdriver until color appears on your monitor. Be sure and check all the colors to make sure it is stable for all colors. The three adjustments around the speakers also control the display. Adjust VR1 for best jitter free picture. If there is a high-low input impedance switch on your monitor, place it in the “high” position for best operation. VR2 and VR3 control the hue of the colors. VR2 brings out the blues and VR3 brings out the reds. With the tint control on the monitor in the center position, adjust VR2 and VR3 for best hue of yellow, cyan, and magenta. -Joe
Do you know if anyone has a printer interface for the 2068 to connect to a Okidata 10 or 20?
I understand the interface plugs into the printer and is available for the Commodore 64 and IBM PC. Perhaps one could be modified?
I’m told this printer will make color transparencies or with no ribbon, print on thermal paper.
Nathan Willis
Orange, TX
Dear Nathan,
Your best bet would be to go with the IBM type interface and a serial (most likely it’s serial) printer interface for the 2068. You should be able to access all of it’s capabilities with the driver software for the interface. A serial printer interface should be able to be found from one of TDM’s advertisers. If anyone is familiar with this printer being driven by the 2068, drop us a line and let us know. -Joe
I have a 2068 with an Aerco parallel printer interface connected to a Smith-Corona TP-II daisy wheel printer. I am using MSCRIPT with it but unfortunately, I have a “bug” that no one else I know has run into.
It seems that randomly it glitches during a printout. It occasionally forgets to advance the carriage, or it will leave out a letter, add an extra letter, indent when it shouldn’t, or not indent when the main text is all indented. The result is that I still frequently find myself doing “cut and paste”.
I have no way of determining if it is the program, the interface or the printer. I know it is not the computer because I own two and I have interchanged them with no improvement. I have just recently ordered a new Aerco interface for my second system so I may soon eliminate that item.
Is it possible that my printer has a quirk in it?! Has anyone else out there encountered this sort of frustration with this program? I think that MSCRIPT is great but this “glitch” is most aggravating.
Mel Routt
Clearwater, FL
Dear Mel,
Because the “glitch” is so random, it is hard to tell exactly where the problem is coming from but I would suspect the interface and wiring first. Make sure that all connections are clean and tightly fastened. If you have access to an oscilloscope or a logic probe, you can check the data coming out of the cable and work back into the interface making sure that you get good logic levels swinging for less than .5 volts to more than 4.5 volts as data is fed out the cable.
Try flexing the cable while printing to see if the problem exists there. If there is any type of buffer built into the printer, it may take awhile for the results of flexing the cable to appear on the paper. Good luck! -Joe