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4.8.2
Unit Options
Unit options that may be specified are:
Option
Action
2607
Set the printer model to 2607; default
2613
Set the printer model to 2613
2617
Set the printer model to 2617
2618
Set the printer model to 2618
VFU
Install the HP standard 66-line VFU tape; default
VFU=<filename>
Install a custom VFU tape image
OFFLINE
Set the printer offline; default when detached
ONLINE
Set the printer online; default when attached
EXPAND
Write expanded output to the printer image file; default
COMPACT
Write compact output to the printer image file
POWEROFF
Turn the printer power off
POWERON
Turn the printer power on; default
The
2607
,
2613
,
2617
, and
2618
options select the printer model. Each printer is configured with Option 001,
which provides a 128-character set for the HP 2607 and 96-character sets for the HP 2613, 2617, and 2618. The
2607 and 2618 support 132-character print line lengths, while the 2613 and 2617 support 136-character lines.
Exceeding the line length causes an automatic print-and-space operation on the 2607 and discards the extra
characters on the 2613, 2617, and 2618.
The
VFU
option configures the printer’s vertical format unit, as described in the
Vertical Format Unit
section below.
The
OFFLINE
and
ONLINE
options place the printer offline and online, respectively. The former provides a
convenient method of setting the printer "down" without detaching the associated output file.
The printer will not go offline if there are characters in the print buffer. Instead, the offline condition is held off until
the line is printed and paper movement is complete. The
SET LPT OFFLINE
command checks for data in the print
buffer or a print operation in progress. If either condition is true, the action is deferred, and
Command not
completed
is displayed on the simulation console. A
SHOW LPT
command will show that the device is still online.
Once simulation is resumed and the print operation completes, the printer is set offline. No console message
reports this, although a subsequent
SHOW LPT
command will indicate the new status.
Entering a
SET LPT ONLINE
command while an offline or detach action is deferred will cancel the action without
triggering any programmed offline-to-online status transition interrupt. A
RESET LPT
command also cancels any
deferred offline or detach action. Additionally, it clears the print buffer and terminates any print action in progress,
so a
SET LPT OFFLINE
or
DETACH LPT
will succeed if issued afterward.
The
EXPAND
and
COMPACT
options control the format of lines written to the printer image file. In compact mode,
a carriage-return/line-feed character pair terminates a printed line, but subsequent line spacing is performed by
line-feed characters alone. A top-of-form request will emit a form-feed character instead of the number of line-
feeds required to reach the top of the next form. This mode is suitable for sending the printer output to a physical
printer connected to the host.
In expanded mode, paper advance is handled by emitting the correct number of carriage-return/line-feed pairs.
This mode is suitable for retaining printer output as a text file.
The HP 2613, 2617, and 2618 printers are capable of overprinting. If the printer is sent a format code to suppress
spacing, the characters in the buffer are printed and the buffer is emptied, but the paper is not advanced. The next
print operation will print its characters over those already present on the paper. In simulation, overprinting is
performed in one of two ways, depending on the print mode.
