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Support for
AMSTRAD PCW
WORD
PROCESSORS
also
known as the Schneider 'Joyce'
in some countries
Amstrad
PC & PCW
Printer
Ribbons
We regret that we no
longer sell ribbons. We apologise for
any inconvenience this may cause to previous customers but all is not lost as there are
several suppliers still advertising ribbons at reasonable prices on the
Internet, including on E-Bay.
Internet Search Tips .....
-
Amstrad referred to their ribbons by their
own in house part numbers
(060070 etc) but most 3rd party manufacturers used instead an
international standard reference
system for ribbons - CARMA numbers. Using these avoids wading through heaps of irrelevant
search results as well as guarding against buying the wrong item.
-
CARMAs
define the ribbon width, orientation and cassette size but, due to
rationalisations in manufacturing over the years, each ribbon suitable
for an Amstrad PCW has amassed two or three different references, so
it is important to search for all variants - see below.
-
If
the right CARMA ref (from below) is shown as being (say) a Seikosha or Juki ribbon, worry
not as many ribbon cassette shapes were used by several different
printer and typewriter manufacturers (and the 8256/8512 printer was effectively a Seikosha in
disguise).
-
The
four figure CARMA numbers are followed by a two-letter code for the
ribbon type: FN (Fabric Nylon), DN (Double density Nylon), MS (MultiStrike
- the shiny-backed type like a videotape) and SC (Self-Correcting)
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PCW8256/8512/10/9256
- 2741 (try first) plus also 2888 & 2944. These were originally
available in both MS and DN flavours but MS - the highdays &
holidays good quality species - was dropped many years ago so are best
avoided if offered as they are bound to be old stock ... and prone to
mould. The original distinction between DN and FN seems now to be less
important so try both 2741DN and 2741FN
-
PCW9512/9512+
Daisy Wheel - 2746 (try first) and 2949. Similarly originally
available as both FN and MS but conversely it was the FN that was
dropped many years ago so now it's just MS. BEWARE
the 2746SC - this type fits a 9512 but gives a poor print as it
is actually a typewriter ribbon. Always check the ribbon spec &
CARMA ref carefully as some E-Bayers are unaware of the relevance of
the ribbon type suffix.
We do hope
that this helps !
Printing
with External
(non-PCW) Printers -
Why
not run an Inkjet or Laser printer from your PCW ?
In
a nutshell, if a printer is DOS compatible on a PC, has a parallel port
(not just a USB) and you have the
relevant printer driver for it on your Loco SoD disc,
LocoScript 2, 3 or 4 could drive it direct from a PCW.
The
PCW 9512/9512+ is fitted with a standard PC-type parallel port
so, with the relevant "printer driver" file(s) on your Loco SoD, you can print
to:
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most older Canon Bubblejets
eg BJ10, BJ/BJC2xx and BJ/BJC4xxx
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many early Epson Stylus inkjets eg Stylus 200, 500, 600, 740 but not 400/440
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most old HP Deskjet printers eg 5xx. 6xx, 7xx, 8xx, 3820, & 6122
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any
HP Laserjet DOS compatible laser printer eg HP Laserjet 1200, Panasonic
44xx, Brother HL6xx, 7xx, 2070n, 5240 & 5250dn;
Samsung 1750 and 2250. We also understand the Dell 1710 to be
Laserjet compatible.
.... so at last you can have bold, italics, and a variety
of type sizes as well as the
luxury of auto sheet feeding ... even from Loco2.
The same applies to
Amstrad 8256 and 8512's that are fitted with a
CPS8256 serial/parallel interface or equivalent, but if you are still
running the original LocoScript 1, you will need to upgrade to Loco2.28
or higher. Please
note :
-
We
believe that there are now very few DOS compatible printers still being
manufactured, at least in the sub £250 bracket. In fact we believe the Brother
5240 & 5340 DL laser
printers to be the only ones around but we have yet to try one out ... and
things do have a habit of changing in this industry. (if
anybody has tried one, please let us know !). Meanwhile, remaindered merchants and
second hand are now the only realistic options.
-
whilst 'external' printers work OK in LocoScript, they cannot
necessarily be driven by other programs you run from CP/M. Your program's
documentation should indicate the types of external printed supported.
"In
Technology's Guard's Van rather than the Vanguard"
e-mail malc@luxsoft.co.uk
Established 1986 -
T his page last amended 1st Jan
2021
All material strictly
Copyright LuxSoft of Luxulyan 2000-2021
All rights reserved
worldwide
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