Epson inkjet and vintage computers

[TJ]

Does anybody know if an Epson Stylus Color 600 or 800 will accept the
old FX/LX dot matrix command sets? I'm thinking of cleaning one up to
put it back in operation and connecting it to an old Atari XE computer,
just to see what the printouts look like. I have plenty of programs with
drivers for the old Epsons. (Back in those days, each program issued
print commands to the printer. There weren't any system-wide drivers.)

Is there maybe a command that puts the printer into an FX/LX "mode?" If
the printer positively won't work, I'm not sure I want to go to all the
work to resurrect one I haven't used in two years.

TJ

 

[Lou]

Does anybody know if an Epson Stylus Color 600 or 800 will accept the
old FX/LX dot matrix command sets? I'm thinking of cleaning one up to
put it back in operation and connecting it to an old Atari XE computer,
just to see what the printouts look like. I have plenty of programs with
drivers for the old Epsons. (Back in those days, each program issued
print commands to the printer. There weren't any system-wide drivers.)

Is there maybe a command that puts the printer into an FX/LX "mode?" If
the printer positively won't work, I'm not sure I want to go to all the
work to resurrect one I haven't used in two years.

TJ

I think it will. But consider buying a used Dot Matrix on ebay. Will cost
less than the ink for epson.

Lou

 

[TJ]

TJ wrote:




I think it will. But consider buying a used Dot Matrix on ebay. Will cost
less than the ink for epson.

Lou

Oh, I have a dot-matrix here, an LX-800. But, I just wanted to try the
Epson out. I have some cheap "compatible" carts on hand from when I
stopped using the printer. Since they're still sealed, they'll probably
work long enough to try it out. I think I paid just $1.50 US for the
black carts and $3 for the tricolor. As for the printer, I paid $1 for
it at a church sale. Not *too* bad. If I lose it, I lose it. I don't
think it owes me anything.

TJ

 

[GEO Me]

Does anybody know if an Epson Stylus Color 600 or 800 will accept the
old FX/LX dot matrix command sets? I'm thinking of cleaning one up to
put it back in operation and connecting it to an old Atari XE computer,
just to see what the printouts look like. I have plenty of programs with
drivers for the old Epsons. (Back in those days, each program issued
print commands to the printer. There weren't any system-wide drivers.)

Is there maybe a command that puts the printer into an FX/LX "mode?" If
the printer positively won't work, I'm not sure I want to go to all the
work to resurrect one I haven't used in two years.

According to the manual for the SC-600:

Printing in DOS:
When printing in color select:
LQ-860
LQ-2550

When printing black only select:
LQ-870
LQ-500
LQ-5700(+)/1070(+)
SQ-870/1070
LQ-850

To change the default fonts...

Printer off
Hold down button that shows image of ink drops
Turn printer on
.... printer will print a brief summary and instructions.

HTH
Geo

 

[Lou]

Oh, I have a dot-matrix here, an LX-800. But, I just wanted to try the
Epson out. I have some cheap "compatible" carts on hand from when I
stopped using the printer. Since they're still sealed, they'll probably
work long enough to try it out. I think I paid just $1.50 US for the
black carts and $3 for the tricolor. As for the printer, I paid $1 for
it at a church sale. Not *too* bad. If I lose it, I lose it. I don't
think it owes me anything.

TJ

Please post back if the thing works, esp interested in drying of print heads.

Lou

 

[TJ]

TJ wrote:




Please post back if the thing works, esp interested in drying of print heads.

Lou

I will. It'll be a few days, though - maybe a week before I get the time
to try it.

TJ