Converting Ventura EPSON driver for use
on Gemini-10x (and sim.) printers:
     Ventura v1.1 (with or without patches) works
GREAT as we all know - with certain printers.  I've been
using a Gemini-10x printer for the last five or six years,
with no problems except the occasional incompatability
problem (usually due to the "epson" compatable software
trying to send control codes designed for late-model
epson printers).  Ventura works with the Gemini, but
the output looks like it has double-LFs, or really WIDE
spacing between lines.  The cause, as best I can figure, is
due to an ESC+3+n code sent to the printer.  This control
code forces the printer to set the LF spacing to n/144".  Ventura
uses two ESC+3+n codes, they are ESC+3+1 and ESC+3+23.  The "1"
code forces a 1-dot LF (which gives you the equivilant of about
a 16-pin printer by printing the line twice).  The 23/144 forces
a LF TOO BIG!  There are three courses of action (besides buying
a decent printer - my wallet cringed when I considered that
possibility!). (1) you can write a program to load the printer-file
from disk and convert the ESC+3 codes to the proper codes - this
in theory will work, but it is inconvenient to jump out of
VP then run a program, then jump back to VP.  (2) you can try
to write a TSR utility to take printer OUTPUT, check for ESC+3, then
change the code when it is sent to the printer.  This is way beyond
my present capabilities.  FINALLY (3) fix the problem!  Change
the driver program to suit your needs.  Can't hurt anything can it!?
SO - get your favorite 'tool' utility - Nortons probably is the best,
but PCTools will work fine.  Select the file (PD_EPMS5.EPS -I
believe is the correct file, there's only one!), and load it into
whatever utility you're using.  with PCTOOLS you want to <E>dit the
file.  Search through to rel. sector#0071, displacement#64 (CAUTION:
this is only a starting point.  I've found, for some reason some
people have the correct location at a different place - look for
the blocks reading -> 1B 33 17)  Once's you've found 1B 33 17,
the 17 must be changed.  I think the proper code is '10' - which is
'16' decimal. This produces GOOD output from Ventura, but not the
best.  I'm still trying to figure how to get a cleaner output,
I'll keep everyone updated.   CUL-Scott
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