Not every printer is suitable for use with LocoScript on a PC or PCW. It is, therefore, important to check before you buy a new printer, that it can be used successfully.
So many new printers are being produced all the time that it is impossible for us to keep our information up to date. Instead, we list here the main points you should check with the computer dealer before buying a new printer.
Many new printers are aimed specifically at PCs running Microsoft Windows. If a new printer is only suitable for use with Windows, then it cannot be used with LocoScript either on a PC or a PCW. The first question to ask your printer dealer is "can this printer be used via the parallel port with DOS programs on a PC that does not run Windows?" (Ask this question even if you're intending to use the printer with a PCW - these days not that many computer dealers understand the PCW, so it's best not to confuse them by mentioning it at this stage.) Expect one of three answers: yes, no or maybe (aka I don't know). If yes, then move on to the next question, if no, then choose another printer, if maybe or I don't know, choose another printer (or another printer dealer who is more knowledgeable about their products).
Having got the definitive yes to the question above, you can be pretty certain that the printer will be suitable. You can't be 100% certain, though. The reason for this is that over time many different manufacturers produced many subtly different printers. If the printer was made some time ago, then these subtle differences can be important, so for older models check against the PCW Printers List or the PC Printers List. For more recent printers, life is actually easier (provided they're not Windows only printers) as recently printers have tended to be highly compatible with one of a few essentially classic printers. So if the printer is more recent than those shown in the lists, ask your dealer whether it is suitable for running on a PC running a DOS program with a printer driver for a Canon BJ-10e printer, a Canon BJC-4300 printer, an Epson FX80 printer, An Epson LQ1500 printer, an Epson Stylus 600 printer, an HP DeskJet 400 printer, an HP DeskJet560c printer or an HP LaserJetIII printer.
If you want to print in colour on the PCW, you will need a colour printer compatible with the DeskJet 400c, DeskJet 560c, Stylus 600, BJC-4300. Best performance is achieved if the printer includes a colour ink cartridge and a black cartridge at the same time. DeskJet 400c compatible printers do not do this.
LocoScript does not directly support colour printing on a PC. However, it is possible to print in colour by using the new LSPro Colour Pack when using fully LQ-compatible printers.
If the printer is in the list for PCW or PC, or if the dealer says that it is compatible with one of the above classic models, then you are pretty sure to be OK. But to be on the safe side: get your dealer to confirm the above in writing and to confirm that if it doesn't work satisfactorily you can swap it for another printer that does. (It is OK to mention that you intend to use it with a PCW now, as you have shown the dealer that you understand the criteria that makes a printer work with a PCW and that you can express these criteria in terms they understand.)
Provided you have a reasonably up to date copy of LocoScript Professional, you should need nothing other than a cable to connect your PC's parallel port to the printer. Note that you cannot use your PC's USB port (if fitted) to print from LocoScript - you must use the parallel port.
You will then need to install the printer in LocoScript. If your printer is compatible with one of the classic printers above, this can be done either from the CD LocoScript installer or the floppy disc master discs. For the CD, simply install following the instructions provided (if you haven't already done so) and then select the printer from the list of installed printers. If installing from master floppy discs, first find the correct Master Disc 1 (or Upgrade Master Disc 1 or Latest Version Master Disc 1) and at the DOS prompt type
A:\INSTALL /A
This will bring up the Additional Installation menu from which you need to select Install printer and follow the on screen instructions. Note that you may be prompted to insert other discs in the drive as proof of purchase, and that not all discs will always be asked for.
It is important that you have a parallel printer port on your PCW. The PCW9512, PcW9512+ and the PcW10 came with a parallel port as standard, but the other models need an add-on to provide a printer port. The add-on plugs into the "expansion port" on the back of the PC - the thing that looks like a comb about 10cm long, possibly behind a rectangular cover on the PcW9256. If the printer port is not complete with a cable, you will need a printer cable to connect to the printer's parallel port. The PCW9512, PCW9512+ and the PcW10 and many interfaces use a standard PC parallel cable which plugs into a "Centronics" socket on the printer and a "D-type" socket on the PCW/Interface. If you have an Amstrad CPS8256 interface (or compatible unit) it will have two sockets, one that is identical to the printer's parallel socket. It is this one that you will need to use and you'll need a special Centronics-Centronics printer cable.
When connected to the printer, you can then install the printer software into LocoScript on your PCW. To do this you will need a Printer Support Pack that is suitable for use with the version of LocoScript you have. If you have the wrong version of either LocoScript or the Printer Support Pack, contact our Sales dept about purchasing an upgrade.
If you want to use extra LX Fonts on a printer, you need the correct class of font product. Which class is shown as a letter against each printer in the PCW Printers List. Where more than one class is shown for a printer, it means that the printer can be used in different "modes" and so it is important to use the correct class of font for the mode you use.