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Serial Printing Versus Parallel Printing |
The information in this document applies to:
WordPerfect® 5.1 for DOS
Problem
Solutions: Parallel printing is faster than serial printing because it sends data faster than serial printing. Eight of the wires in a parallel connection transmit eight bits, one byte, simultaneously while the rest of the wires transmit other needed signals. Example of transmission: X X 0 X X 0 X X (eight bits of data are transmitted over X 0 X 0 X 0 0 X different wires) 0 X 0 X X 0 X X X 0 X X 0 0 X 0 0 X 0 X X 0 X 0 0 X X 0 0 X 0 X X 0 0 X 0 X X X 0 X X 0 X 0 0 X The printer carries on a conversation with the computer (hardware handshaking), letting the computer know when to stop sending information. When the printer is ready for more, it signals the computer to begin sending information again. Generally, parallel ports send information only from the PC to the printer, and all the signals received are acknowledgment, busy, and out-of-paper signals. Serial printing sends data through the cable one bit at a time in 7 bit increments. Each bit of data is transmitted, one at a time, over the same wire. Example of transmission: X 0 X 0 0 X X 0 ( one at a time over the same wire) Serial printers have a prescribed speed called the baud rate; the greater the baud rate the faster the transmission. The printer sends no messages back to the computer to stop the flow of information. Serial printing is much slower than parallel printing. However, there is an advantage to serial printing. You can use a much longer cable to communicate with the printer. Some say a serial cable has no limit, while others claim 300 feet is a maximum. On the other hand, parallel cables should be no longer than 15, with 12 feet being the recommended maximum length. Most dot-matrix printers require no change in menus or dip switches, and are able to print in either serial or parallel mode. However, you must set the port in WP to serial port and specify the baud rate, parity, stop bit, character length, and XON/XOFF required by the printer. A few dot-matrix printers require a serial interface card to operate serially. Generally, laser printers require a change in menu or dip switches to switch from parallel to serial printing. Helpful Hints: To determine whether the cable is serial or parallel, unplug the printer cable from the computer. If the exposed end of the cable has pins showing, it is parallel; if the exposed end has sockets, it is serial. The baud rate is determined by the printer. You set the baud rate both in WP and at the printer. They must agree! If the baud rate in WP is set higher than the baud rate for the printer, there will be problems. When PRHELP indicates the printer is not supported as a serial printer (indicated by an absence of a check next to serial option), it simply means the printer has not been tested serially at WP. |
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