home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
-
- Page 1 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- What is VPS?
- ------------
-
- VPS is an attempt to provide a generic printer setup utility that may
- be configured for any printer that uses escape sequences to control
- the printer. There are many good printer setup utilities available,
- but they usually are designed to work with a specific model or brand of
- printer and with a limited set of escape codes. VPS allows you to define
- the escape sequences that you want to use and can be tailored for your
- specific printer and needs. If you have more than one printer, you can
- create setup definitions for each printer and use VPS as needed to configure
- each printer based upon the printer definition you choose.
-
-
- There are three programs available.
-
- VPS - a menu driven version where options are selected by the cursor
- control keys.
-
- VPSB - a 'batch' version which may be used in BAT files.
-
- VPSRES - a version similar to VPS that remains resident. This version
- is available only to registered users.
-
-
-
- Page 2 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- Using VPS
- ---------
-
-
- VPS [d:\path\vpsfile]
-
-
-
- vpsfile - a text file which contains definitions for various printer
- commands and options. If not specified DEFAULT.VPS is assumed.
- If a file extension is not provided .VPS is assumed.
-
-
- Examples:
-
- VPS IBMCOLR.VPS
-
- - Will look for a file named IBMCOLR.IBM on the logged drive.
-
-
- VPS A:OKIDATA.VPS
-
- - Will look for a file named OKIDATA.VPS on drive A:
-
-
- VPS C:\DOS\EPSON.VPS
-
- - Will look for a file named EPSON.VPS on drive C: in directory DOS
-
- VPS
- - Will look for a file named DEFAULT.VPS on the current logged drive and
- directory.
-
-
- Once VPS is activated use the cursor keys UP-ARROW, DOWN-ARROW, LEFT-ARROW,
- and RIGHT-ARROW to select an item from the VPS menu and then press RETURN
- to send the associated printer control codes to the printer. The VPS menu
- is sensitive to the first character of each menu item. An item may
- be selected by pressing the key corresponding to the first character of
- the desired menu item. This method not only selects the option, but also
- sends the control codes to the printer. Of course for this method to work
- properly you must insure that the first characters of all the menu options
- are unique. The PgUp and PgDn keys may be used to select LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3.
-
- Page 3 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- Using VPSB
- ----------
-
-
- VPSB lptx: [d:\path\vpsfile or /nn,nn,...,nn/]
-
- VPSB is a batch version of VPS. It can be placed in BAT files. A
- typical use would be in AUTOEXEC.BAT to initialize a printer at
- boot time.
-
- lptx: - is used to specify which printer you want to initialize.
- Valid values are LPT1:, LPT2:, LPT3:
- The colon is required.
-
- vpsfile - a text file which contains definitions for various printer
- options and commands. The format of this file is the same
- as used by VPS and VPSRES. All printer control characters
- found in the file will be sent to the printer.
-
- /nn,nn,...,nn/ - this is an alternative method of specifying the
- printer control codes. The nn's represent escape
- codes in either decimal or character format. The
- slashes are required. See DEFINING PRINTER CONTROL
- FILES for more information.
-
-
- Examples:
-
- VPSB LPT1: OKIDATA.VPS
-
- - Will look for a file named OKIDATA.VPS on the current logged drive and
- directory and send all printer codes to LPT1:
-
- VPSB LPT2: /27,"C",68/
-
- - Will send the escape codes 27 C 68 to LPT2:
-
- VPSB LPT3: C:\DOS\EPSON.VPS
-
- - Will look for a file named EPSON.VPS on drive C: in directory DOS
- and send all printer control codes to LPT3:
-
-
-
-
- Page 4 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
-
- Using VPSRES
- ------------
-
- VPSRES [d:\path\vpsfile] [activate key] [deinstall key]
-
- VPSRES is a resident version of VPS. This version may be activated
- at the press of a key, control codes sent to a printer, and return
- to your original application.
-
- vpsfile - see previous descriptions
-
- [activate key] - optional parameter which if specified must be a decimal
- key code for the keys you wish to use to activate
- VPSRES. The default is 91 which is SHIFT-F8. A
- partial list of key codes is provided in APPENDIX A.
-
- [deinstall key]- optional parameter which if specified must be a decimal
- key code for the keys you wish to use to deinstall
- VPSRES. There is no default. Deinstalling VPSRES
- can cause problems if some other memory resident
- programs have been loaded after VPSRES was loaded.
- Use this option only if VPSRES was loaded last.
-
- NOTE: these parameters are positional. In order to specify a deinstall
- key you must specify a vpsfile and an activate key code.
-
-
- Examples:
-
- VPSRES \DOS\IBMCOLR.VPS 91 93
-
- - Will load VPSRES and look for a file named IBMCOLR.VPS in directory DOS
- on the current logged drive. SHIFT-F8 (91) will be used to activate
- VPSRES. SHIFT-F10 (93) will be used to deinstall VPSRES.
-
- VPSRES
-
- - WIll load VPSRES and look for file DEFAULT.VPS in the currently logged
- drive and directory. SHIFT-F8 (the default) will be used to
- activate VPSRES. No key is provided to deinstall VPSRES.
-
- VPSRES IBMCOLR.VPS
-
- - Will load VPSRES and look for a file named IBMCOLR.VPS on the current
- logged drive and directory. SHIFT-F8 will be used to activate
- VPSRES and no deinstall key will be defined.
-
-
- Page 5 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
- WARNING: Each time VPSRES is executed from the DOS prompt the program
- will become resident. VPSRES does not currently check to make
- sure that only 1 copy is resident. You MUST make sure that
- you don't cause VPSRES to become resident more than once.
- Placing the VPSRES startup command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
- is probably the best method of starting VPSRES.
-
- NOTE: The printer definition file will not be accessed until the first
- time VPSRES is actually activated. Thereafter the printer
- definition file will not be accessed again unless errors were
- detected while loading the printer control codes. Once the
- control codes are loaded without errors the printer definition
- file will not be accessed again and need not be available.
- Once the printer definition file is loaded, another file cannot
- be loaded unless VPSRES is first deactivated. This is one reason
- that an option is provided for deactivation. Remember that
- VPSRES may only be safely deinstalled if it was the last program
- to become resident.
-
-
- Once VPSRES is activated use the cursor keys UP-ARROW, DOWN-ARROW, LEFT-ARROW,
- and RIGHT-ARROW to select an item from the VPSRES menu and then press RETURN
- to send the associated printer control codes to the printer. The VPSRES menu
- is sensitive to the first character of each menu item. An item may
- be selected by pressing the key corresponding to the first character of
- the desired menu item. This method not only selects the option, but also
- sends the control codes to the printer. Of course for this method to work
- properly you must insure that the first characters of all the menu options
- are unique. The PgUp and PgDn keys may be used to select LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3.
-
- When an option is selected from the menu that option will be marked with a
- bullet to indicate that this option has been chosen. These bullets remain
- until reset via a CLRB or INIT control code. Also the F1 function key will
- clear the bullets. The bullets don't necessarily indicate the current state
- of the printer, since other software may change the printers options without
- VPS knowing about the change. The bullets are meant strictly as a visual
- reminder that certain options have been chosen.
-
- Page 6 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- DEFINING PRINTER CONTROL FILES
- ------------------------------
-
-
- A printer control code file is a text file that you create using your
- favorite editor. It is used to provide information to the VPS programs
- about the escape sequences that your printer will recognize.
-
- The statements in this file have the following format:
-
-
- <desc>=nn,nn,nn,...,nn
-
- where:
-
- <desc> - up to 20 bytes of descriptive text which will be displayed
- in the VPS menus. This must begin in column 1. If the
- first character is unique then the menu option may be
- selected by pressing the key for that character. This
- descriptive text is terminated with and equal sign (=).
-
- nn,nn - ASCII decimal or character escape codes. If character
- format is used the characters must be enclosed in quotes
- ("). Character strings are limted to a max of four
- characters. A max of 20 nn's may be specified per
- statement. Note that more actual escape codes may be
- coded when using the character format, since up to
- four characters may be coded per nn. Three special
- control codes have been defined to perform three
- special functions.
-
- INIT - which will force a hardware reset of the printer
- with a 2 second delay after the reset.
-
- WRIT - which will display some test text information to
- assist in determining whether the printer is
- responding properly to the printer escape codes.
-
- CLRB - which will clear the selected options bullets.
- CLRB will usually be specified with your printers
- reset control codes.
-
- NOTE: some printers have a reset escape sequence which
- should be used in preference to the INIT code. The
- Epson FX-100+ is one such printer. If the INIT
- function is used, sometimes a CANCEL (24) code is
- required in conjunction with the INIT. Also the
- INIT code only has an affect on parallel printers
- and will not have any affect on serial printers.
-
- In addition, three special <desc> (@LPT, @TITLE, and @WRITDATA) have been
- provided to allow definition of default printer, menu title information and
- to override the default test text. These three special <desc>'s must be
- in upper case only.
-
- Page 7 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- Examples:
-
- @LPT=x where x=1 or 2 or 3
-
- - To define the default printer.
-
- @LPTx=COMy where x=1 or 2 or 3 and y=1 or 2
-
- - This informs VPSRES that output intended for a line printer is
- being routed to a COM port. This function MUST be specified
- when serial printers, such as the HP LaserJet, receive their
- output via the PC-DOS MODE command. If this statement is not
- coded or if the PC-DOS MODE command has not been issued for
- a serial printer VPSRES may appear to hang up. CTRL-BREAK will
- usually get out of the hangup. See the HP LaserJet example
- for a serial printer setup.
-
-
- @TITLE=IBM GRAPHICS PRINTER SETUP
-
- - To define a menu title.
-
- @WRITDATA=This is some sample text for use with VPS
-
- - To define some test text.
-
-
- FORM FEED=12
-
- - the descriptive text "FORM FEED" will be display in the VPS menus.
- When this option is chosen a form feed character (12) will be sent
- to the printer.
-
-
- LINE FEED=10
-
- - the descriptive text "LINE FEED" will display in the VPS menus.
- When this option is chosen a line feed character (10) will be sent
- to the printer.
-
-
- Page 8 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
-
- UNDERLINE ON=27,"-1"
- or
- UNDERLINE ON=27,"-","1"
-
- - the descriptive text "UNDERLINE ON" will display in the VPS menus.
- When this option is chosen the codes 27 "-1" will be sent to the
- printer.
-
-
- UNDERLINE ON=27,45,49
-
- - this equivalent to the above since decimal 45 is a "-" and 49 is
- a "1".
-
-
- 7-TINY TEXT=15,27,"3",15,27,"S1",27,"M"
-
- - will turn on elite subscripting compressed with 15/216 line spacing.
- Valid for Epson FX-100+ printers.
-
-
- APPENDIX B contains several sample printer code files.
-
- Page 9 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX A
-
- KEY CODES
-
-
- KEY UNSHIFTED SHIFT CTRL ALT
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- F1 59 84 94 104
- F2 60 85 95 105
- F3 61 86 96 106
- F4 62 87 97 107
- F5 63 88 98 108
- F6 64 89 99 109
- F7 65 90 100 110
- F8 66 91 101 111
- F9 67 92 102 112
- F10 68 93 103 113
- LARR 75 115
- RARR 77 116
- UARR 72
- DARR 80
- HOME 71
- END 79 117
- PGUP 73 132
- PGDN 81 118
- INS 82
- DEL 83
- A 30
- B 48
- C 46
- D 32
- E 18
- F 33
- G 34
- H 35
- I 23
- J 36
- K 37
- L 38
- M 50
- N 49
- O 24
- P 25
- Q 16
- R 19
- S 31
- T 20
- U 22
- V 47
- W 17
- X 45
- Y 21
- Z 44
-
- Page 10 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX A
-
- KEY CODES
-
-
- KEY UNSHIFTED SHIFT CTRL ALT
- --------------------------------------------------------
- 0 129
- 1 120
- 2 121
- 3 122
- 4 123
- 5 124
- 6 125
- 7 126
- 8 127
- 9 128
-
- Page 11 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B
-
- You should refer to your the operator's manual for your specific type
- of printer to determine what printer codes perform certain functions.
- The following samples are not meant to be all inclusive and perform
- every function, but are meant to show some of the statement formats
- and to provide a basis for modification to your specific needs.
-
-
-
- SAMPLE 1
- --------
-
- @LPT=1
- @TITLE=Epson FX100+ Printer Setup
- @WRITDATA=This is some test data, which can be used to verify options
- A-RESET=27,"@"
- B-8LPI=27,"0"
- C-6LPI=27,"2"
- D-DEFAULTS=27,"@",27,"M",27,"0",27,"C",68,27,"N",3
- E-ELITE ON=27,"M"
- F-DBL WIDTH ON=27,"W1"
- G-DBL WIDTH OFF=27,"W0"
- H-FORM FEED=12
- I-LINE FEED=10
- J-COMPRESS ON=15
- K-COMPRESS OFF=18
- L-PROPORTIONAL ON=27,"p1"
- M-PROPORTIONAL OFF=27,"p0"
- N-UNDERLINE ON=27,"-1"
- O-UNDERLINE OFF=27,"-0"
- P-ITALIC ON=27,"4"
- Q-ITALIC OFF=27,"5"
- R-EMPHASIZED ON=27,"E"
- S-EMPHASIZED OFF=27,"F"
- T-DBL STRIKE ON=27,"G"
- U-DBL STRIKE OFF=27,"H"
- V-BEEPER=7
- W-UNIDIRECTIONAL ON=27,"U1"
- X-UNIDIRECTIONAL OFF=27,"U0"
- Y-IMMEDIATE ON=27,"i1"
- Z-IMMEDIATE OFF=27,"i0"
- 1-68 LINES/PAGE=27,"C",68
- 2-INITIALIZE=INIT,24
- 3-SUPERSCRIPT ON=27,"S0"
- 4-SUBSCRIPT ON=27,"S1"
- 5-SUB/SUPER OFF=27,"T"
- 6-WRITE TEST DATA=WRIT
- 7-TINY=15,27,"3",15,27,"S1",27,"M"
- 8-FORWARD 1/216 IN=27,"J",1
- 9-REVERSE 1/216 IN=27,"j",1
- 0-66 LINES PAGE=27,"C",66
-
-
- Page 12 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B
-
- SAMPLE 2
- --------
- @TITLE=IBM Color Printer Setup
- @WRITDATA=This is some test data, which can be used to verify options
- A-SET DEFAULTS=27,"C",68,27,"0",27,58
- B-DBL WIDTH ON=27,"W",1
- C-DBL WIDTH OFF=27,"W",0
- E-ELITE ON=27,58
- F-FORM FEED=12
- G-PROPORTIONAL ON=27,"p",1
- H-PROPORTIONAL OFF=27,"p",0
- I-COMPRESS ON=15
- J-COMPRESS OFF=18
- L-LINE FEED=10
- M-UNDERLINE ON=27,"-1"
- N-UNDERLINE OFF=27,"-0"
- O-EMPHASIZED ON=27,"E"
- P-68 LINES/PAGE=27,"C",68
- Q-EMPHASIZED OFF=27,"F"
- R-RESET TO POWER UP=27,"?",0,INIT
- S-DBL STRIKE ON=27,"G"
- T-DBL STRIKE OFF=27,"H"
- U-UNIDIRECTIONAL ON=27,"U1"
- V-UNIDIRECTIONAL OFF=27,"U0"
- W-WRITE TEST DATA=WRIT
- X-SUPERSCRIPT ON=27,"S",0
- Y-SUBSCRIPT ON=27,"S",1
- Z-SUB/SUPER OFF=27,"T"
- 1-SET TOP OF PAGE=27,52
- 2-TINY=15,27,"3",15,27,"S",1,27,"M"
- 3-DP QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",1
- 4-TEXT QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",2
- 5-LETTER QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",3
- 6-6LPI=27,"2"
- 8-8LPI=27,"0"
- 9-PRINT LABELS=INIT,27,"I",3
- 0-66 Lines/Page=27,"C",66
-
- Page 13 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B
-
- SAMPLE 3
- --------
- @TITLE=Okidata 192/193 Printer Setup
- @WRITDATA=This is some test data, which can be used to verify the options
- A-RESET TO POWER UP=INIT,24
- B-8LPI=27,48
- C-LETTER QUALITY ON=27,88,1
- D-LETTER QUALITY OFF=27,88,0
- E-DBL WIDTH ON=27,"W",1
- F-DBL WIDTH OFF=27,"W",0
- G-FORM FEED=12
- H-LINE FEED=10
- I-COMPRESS ON=15
- J-COMPRESS OFF=18
- K-ELITE=27,58
- L-UNDERLINE ON=27,"-1"
- M-UNDERLINE OFF=27,"-0"
- N-EMPHASIZED ON=27,"E"
- O-EMPHASIZED OFF=27,"F"
- P-DBL STRIKE ON=27,"G"
- Q-DBL STRIKE OFF=27,"H"
- R-BEEPER=7
- S-UNIDIRECTIONAL ON=27,55,1
- T-UNIDIRECTIONAL OFF=27,55,0
- U-68 LINES/PAGE=27,"C",68
- V-SUPERSCRIPT ON=27,"S",0
- W-SUBSCRIPT ON=27,"S",1
- X-SUB/SUPER OFF=27,"T"
- Y-WRITE TEST DATA=WRIT
- Z-TINY=15,27,"3",15,27,"S",1,27,"M"
- 1-DP QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",1
- 2-TEXT QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",2
- 3-LETTER QUALITY PRINT=27,"I",3
-
- Page 14 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B
-
- Sample 4
- --------
- *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
- * *
- * This example shows some of the simpler LASERJET printer control *
- * sequences. It does not take advantage of capabilities that may *
- * be available for specific font cartridges. This example will *
- * give you some idea of what can be done, but will have to be *
- * modified to suit your personal situation. *
- *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
-
- @TITLE=HP LaserJet Printer Setup
- @WRITDATA=This is some test data, which can be used to verify options.
-
- *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
- * NOTE the different formats of the two @LPT statements. The *
- * first is used to establish the default printer; the second is *
- * used to indicate that output for LPT1 is being routed to the *
- * COM2 port. This statement must be used for any serial printer *
- * which has output routed to it via a DOS MODE command. *
- *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
-
- @LPT=1
- @LPT1=COM2:
- A-Portrait=27,"&l0O"
- B-Landscape=27,"&l1O"
- C-10 CPI=27,"(s10","H"
- D-12 CPI=27,"(s12","H"
- E-16.66 CPI=27,"(s16",".6H"
- F-7 point=27,"(s7V"
- G-8 point=27,"(s8V"
- H-10 point=27,"(s10","V"
- I-12 point=27,"(s12","V"
- J-14 point=27,"(s14",".4V"
- K-Upright=27,"(s0S"
- L-Italic=27,"(s1S"
- M-Light stroke=27,"(s-3","B"
- N-Medium stroke=27,"(s0B"
- O-Bold stroke=27,"(s3B"
- P-Courier=27,"(s3T"
- Q-Helv=27,"(s4T"
- R-TMS RMN=27,"(s5T"
- S-Prestige=27,"(s8T"
- T-Gothic=27,"(s6T"
- U-60 Lines/Page=27,"&l60","P"
- V-45 Lines/Page=27,"&l45","P"
- W-Write text=WRIT
- X-8 LPI=27,"&l8D"
- Y-FORM FEED=12
-
-
- Page 15 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B
-
- SAMPLE 4 continuation
- ---------------------
-
- *------------------------------------------------------------*
- * NOTE the use of the CLRB control code with the printer *
- * reset code. This insures that the bullets beside selected *
- * options are cleared when the printer is reset. *
- *------------------------------------------------------------*
-
- Z-RESET=27,"E",CLRB
- 1-Shift OUT=14
- 2-Shift IN=15
-
- Page 16 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
- General Information
- -------------------
-
- The VPS programs were developed on a PC/XT with 512K using DOS 2.1.
- The resident version VPSRES requires approximately 39K of address
- space.
-
- The following files are provided on the distribution diskette:
-
- VPS.COM - menu driven version
- VPSB.COM - batch version
- VPSRES.COM - the memory resident version
- DEFAULT.VPS - default printer code file (Epson FX-100+)
- OKIDATA.VPS - printer code file for OKIDATA 193
- IBMCOLR.VPS - printer code file for IBM Color Printer
- LASERJT.VPS - HP LaserJet example (serial printer)
- GEMINI.VPS - Standard GEMINI example
- NECWRTR.VPS - NEC PINWRITER example
- IBMPRO.VPS - IBM PROPRINTER example
- VPS.DOC - this document
- READ.ME - last minute notes and information
-
-
- FX-100+ is a registered trademark of EPSON AMERICA Inc.
-
- IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
-
- OKIDATA is a registered trademark of OKIDATA.
-
- HP LaserJet is a registered trademark of HEWLETT PACKARD.
-
- Page 17 VPS-Versatile Printer Setup Utility Version 1.10 10-01-86
-
-
-
- License information
- -------------------
-
- You are free to use, copy and distribute all VPS files except VPSRES
- providing that:
-
- 1) NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR USE, COPYING, OR DISTRIBUTION
-
- 2) IT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY
-
- These programs are provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or implied,
- including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose.
-
- If you find these programs to be useful, a $10 contribution would be
- appreciated. For a $25 contribution you become a registered user
- entitled to the resident version VPSRES and the latest versions of the
- other programs and documentation.
-
- You may not use these programs in a commercial environment or a
- government organization without paying a licesnse fee of $25.
-
- In any case, you are encouraged to provide any comments, suggestions, or
- problems to:
-
-
- S & S SYSTEMS
- P.O. BOX 1725
- CLAREMORE, OK 74018