EasyCoder 91/300 dpi – Addendum to User's Manual
Examples, cont'd.
Resetting the memory via the parallel port (Windows driver):
When installing a memory cartridge, or when you need to print extra long labels (see
below), you may want to change the memory allocation without having to set up a serial
communication. Using the MS-DOS Prompt in Windows 3.1x, you can send the
necessary M command via the parallel port as follows
1
:
In a text editor, e.g. Windows Notepad, write the desired M command, e.g.:
M118,20,106
↵
Save the text file in the directory c:\windows\ under a suitable name (e.g. memsetup.txt).
In the Main group of Windows 3.1x Program Manager, double-click the MS-DOS
Prompt icon.
In MS-DOS, the directory c:\windows\ is selected by default:
C:\WINDOWS>_
Enter the following DOS command:
C:\WINDOWS>copy memsetup.txt lpt1:
↵
MS-DOS responds by displaying:
1 file(s) copied
C\:WINDOWS>
Exit MS-DOS by typing:
C\:WINDOWS> exit
↵
Maximizing the Image Buffer:
When using the Windows printer driver, or the Direct Mode only, you have no need for
any form or soft font (E) memory. In the Windows printer driver, you do not need any
graphics memory at all, and possibly you can also dispense with graphics in the Direct
Mode. Thus, to be able to print as long labels as possible, you can allocate most of or
the entire RAM memory to the image buffer:
M117,0,0
↵
:Sets max. image buffer for printer w/o memory cartridge
M245,0,0
↵
:Sets max. image buffer for printer w. 128 Kbyte cartridge
M501,0,0
↵
:Sets max. image buffer for printer w. 384 Kbyte cartridge
This table illustrates the connection between the M command, the memory allocated
to the print buffer and the maximum print length at full print width in the Direct Mode
at a printhead density of 8 dots per mm (203.2 dots per inch):
Command
Image Buffer Size
Maximum Print Length
M117,0,0
↵
119 Kbyte
1150 dots = 143.75 mm (5.65")
M245,0,0
↵
250 Kbyte
2400 dots = 300.00 mm (11.81")
M501,0,0
↵
513 Kbyte
4930 dots = 616.25 mm (24.26")
M COMMAND – MEMORY ALLOCATION, cont'd.
(page 93)
1
/. The example assumes that
MS Windows 3.1x is installed
in drive C:\ and that the
printer is connected to LPT1:
6
