IBM Compact Printer video (Watch it Print!)

[Brutman]

I've been looking for another Compact Printer for a while. I finally found one at a decent price and it arrived yesterday.

The first problem was loading the paper. I think the printer has a small problem with one of the pinch rollers not disengaging, which made it difficult to get the paper fed. It is on a roll so that was just irritating for 20 minutes.

Next was remembering how to print to it. Text is easy but I wanted to test the graphics mode. I have a test file that is a binary file already formatted for the printer (using the escape codes for graphics), but it kept cutting the print short for some reason. I thought it was overrunning the serial port so I played a bit with the MODE command, but it was simpler than that. When copying binary files on DOS to non-file destinations always use the /b switch to indicate a binary copy. Otherwise an embedded CTRL-Z in the data stream will end the data transfer.

Then my Xircom adapter packet drive would not load. I checked the power a few times and then realized that the @#$@# BIOS moved LPT1 because the printer was plugged in.

Anyway, for your amusement, the IBM Compact Printer in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y_WE40sMlk

For bonus points try to identify all of the stuff on the workbench. ;-0

PS: Has anybody bought paper for this recently? It is just thermal fax paper on a 1/2 inch spool. I've seen some six packs at Office Depot and on Amazon, but before I commit I want to see if anybody else has recent experience. (1 roll is a lifetime supply. To use 6 I'm going to have to make an "8 bit Photobooth".)

[alanh]

For bonus points try to identify all of the stuff on the workbench. ;-0

I spy with my little eye:
- Analog film canisters (wtf?)
- 6 PC miniature models (you have a problem)
- jr-PSU uninstalled (why do I bother?)
- Zip disks
- What looks to be a keytronic numeric keypad for the JR
- A late model Lexmark Model M
- What looks like a Logitech MouseMan but maybe the optical mouse for the JR
- Not enough work-space.

[Brutman]

Good use of an "I Spy" reference ...

• Film canisters: for holding small parts.
• PC minatures (I have a problem. They were cheap though.)
• jr-PSU - My main system on the bench has an ATX power supply already for the external hard drive. The jr-PSU was tested in that system but is destined for another system I'm building for show purposes. (That system will have a jr-IDE, jr-PSU, Model M keyboard, Zip drive, Xircom adapter, etc. I'm debating on whether to use an expansion chassis for a second floppy drive.)
• Zip disks - part of the project above.
• Keytronic numeric keypad - actually an IBM LPFK (see http://www.brutman.com/IBM_LPFK/IBM_LPFK.html . I dusted off the old serial port test code and I'm writing a more general purpose library for it.)
• Mouse - Logitech C7 serial mouse for the 386. (Also works on the Jr.)

And of course there are the assorted hard drives of varying sizes, floppy disks, the IBM "THINK" desk sign, the IBM Tech Ref on top of the floppy cases, the cartridge collection, etc.

Oh, and not enough workspace. : - )

[MikeModified]

Nice demo, Mike.

Years ago I had a "Think" sign. It was replaced, somehow, by a one saying "Simplify".

Mike