Editing IBM Wheelwriter/Options/PC Printer
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The '''PC Printer Option''' is a Parallel interface for printing from a PC, effectively transforming the [[IBM Wheelwriter]] into a daisywheel printer. Unfortunately, it was also expensive at the time, and remains rare to this day. | The '''PC Printer Option''' is a Parallel interface for printing from a PC, effectively transforming the [[IBM Wheelwriter]] into a daisywheel printer. Unfortunately, it was also expensive at the time, and remains rare to this day. | ||
However, there are hopes that this accessory can be replicated on an Arduino, for attachment to a Raspberry Pi. | |||
== Variants == | == Variants == | ||
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* '''IBM Wheelwriter 1000/Personal Wheelwriter 2''' - A smaller, lighter version of the Wheelwriter which requires a different design and shape for the option card than the WW1500. | * '''IBM Wheelwriter 1000/Personal Wheelwriter 2''' - A smaller, lighter version of the Wheelwriter which requires a different design and shape for the option card than the WW1500. | ||
* '''IBM/Lexmark Wheelwriter 10/15/30/1500/3500''' (not sure if 2000/3000 supported) - These were the last Wheelwriters made, and are dual labeled with IBM/Lexmark. They are larger than the 1000/WW2 series, but the same size as the WW5/WW3 series. These Wheelwriters supports printing backwards, cutting the printing time in half. When it takes 2 minutes to print with previous models, that's quite an improvement. | * '''IBM/Lexmark Wheelwriter 10/15/30/1500/3500''' (not sure if 2000/3000 supported) - These were the last Wheelwriters made, and are dual labeled with IBM/Lexmark. They are larger than the 1000/WW2 series, but the same size as the WW5/WW3 series. These Wheelwriters supports printing backwards, cutting the printing time in half. When it takes 2 minutes to print with previous models, that's quite an improvement. | ||
== Installing the PC Printer Option (Wheelwriter 3/5/6) == | == Installing the PC Printer Option (Wheelwriter 3/5/6) == | ||
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=== Centronics to Parallel Port/USB === | === Centronics to Parallel Port/USB === | ||
Like most Daisywheel/Dot-Matrix Printers from the 1980s, the IBM Wheelwriter Printer Option uses a 36-pin Centronics Printer Port. This port can be hooked up to an ordinary DB-25 Parallel Port on an older PC, using a [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005114K/ | Like most Daisywheel/Dot-Matrix Printers from the 1980s, the IBM Wheelwriter Printer Option uses a 36-pin Centronics Printer Port. This port can be hooked up to an ordinary DB-25 Parallel Port on an older PC, using a [Centronics-to-Parallel Cable. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005114K/] | ||
For modern computer enthusiasts, the Centronics Port can still be hooked up to modern computers via USB, using adapter cables: | For modern computer enthusiasts, the Centronics Port can still be hooked up to modern computers via USB, using adapter cables: | ||
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* [http://jnocook.net/geek/printing.htm Source: jnocook.net - Printing via LPT1 on a Linux box] | * [http://jnocook.net/geek/printing.htm Source: jnocook.net - Printing via LPT1 on a Linux box] | ||
== | == Drop-in Replacement == | ||
There's some sort of mysterious electronic sequence going on in the PC Printer Option. | There's some sort of mysterious electronic sequence going on in the PC Printer Option. | ||
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=== Output Card to Wheelwriter === | === Output Card to Wheelwriter === | ||
Then, something magic happens in the black box of the option card that then causes the Wheelwriter to start typing. Now how would we figure out what is going on here? | Then, something magic happens in the black box of the option card that then causes the Wheelwriter to start typing. Now how would we figure out what is going on here? | ||
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* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDV0WwSdmklh-ueRPAgxhX4QEhc2cF9khwkeod91ky4/edit Google Docs - Enhanced Transcript of PC Printer Option PDF] | * [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDV0WwSdmklh-ueRPAgxhX4QEhc2cF9khwkeod91ky4/edit Google Docs - Enhanced Transcript of PC Printer Option PDF] | ||
[[File:ww-printer-option-installation.pdf|thumb|'''PDF''': IBM Wheelwriter Repair Information Manual, Pages (3-27) - (3-30): PC Printer Option. Helpfully provided by Jim from Typewriters.com.]] | [[File:ww-printer-option-installation.pdf|thumb|'''PDF''': IBM Wheelwriter Repair Information Manual, Pages (3-27) - (3-30): PC Printer Option. Helpfully provided by Jim from Typewriters.com.]] |