Fran

Have you ever dealt with Bonus Life Computers? I bought my 'replacement' 130XE from them a couple of years ago, and was pleased with the purchase. I just checked their website and they have one Atari 130XE computer in stock. The url is: bonuslifecomputers.com

The print quality seen in test.pdf looks as good as what I get using PrinterToPDF. However, the image location and size on the page is somewhat different. I hadn't come across DOSPrinter in my search, so even though I can run Atari++ on my Windows 10 computer, I hadn't found a tool that would convert the dump file into PDF or similar Windows-usable format. Thanks for sharing.

I forgot to clearly indicate that the first image is from Atari++/PrinterToPDF/GIMP/Canon MP190 and the second is from 800XL/SG-10. I attached the Atari++ printer dump file. Note: I found that I had to set Atari++ to append data to the dump file, instead of overwriting an existing file. For some reason, when I didn't do that, the file was always missing the upper half of the outside of the card and the credit line (top 1/4 of the images). I'm willing to share more details of the process, if there is an interest. PSdump.prt

I attached scanned image of cards generated using both methods (Atari++/PrinterToPDF/GIMP) and Atari 800XL w/SG-10 printer. I didn't have clean copies to scan, so please disregard the extra lines and handwriting in the images. Both were scanned at 300 DPI, which is also the resolution that I used to import the PDF file into GIMP. I did the scans in color in order to accurately pick up the difference in blackness of the images.

I've seen a number of posts in the AtariAge and AtariMax forums discussing problems and potential solutions related to printing Print Shop cards created by Atari computers and/or Atari emulators on modern inkjet printers connected to modern PC computers. That led me to believe that I'm not the only Atari computer enthusiast who would like to do this. After going down a few dead ends, I finally found an approach that generates a quality image on my inkjet printer. I can obviously avoid this problem entirely by using my Atari 800XL computer and SG-10 printer, but I was hoping to be able to work with my grandsons to print old fashioned computer generated cards without having to rely on my 35 year old printer, not so fresh ribbons, and a dwindling supply of track feed paper. So, I decided to try doing everything using emulation. My search led me to Atari++ running on a Linux MINT OS computer, and I just happened to have a Linux MINT OS computer. Atari++ provides an option to send Print Shop output to a printer dump file. The Atari++ printer dump file isn't directly usable by my inkjet printer. But, after a bit of searching, I found a Linux utility named, PrinterToPDF. This utility can convert the Atari++ printer dump file into a PDF file. The PDF image is okay (generates a rich black color and complete dot matrix style image), except it isn't properly sized and centered on the page when I print it on the inkjet printer connected to my Linux computer. So, one more step was required to get a properly formatted printout. I found another Linux application, GIMP, which allows me to import and edit the PDF image. A single automatic cropping of the image to the portion of the image that has content, and then a single resizing of the image before printing, results in a printout that fits the page very close to what I get when using my Atari 800XL computer and Star SG-10 printer. The inkjet output is actually darker (black vs gray) than what I get from the SG-10, probably because I haven't had much luck finding "fresh" printer ribbons. Although it works, this method is still just a workaround and requires too many steps. Maybe someone else has found a more elegant approach?

Problem solved. The interface was defective. Steve sent me a replacement unit, which worked just by plugging it in without making any software and/or driver changes on my Windows computers.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have two Windows 10 64-bit computers that both don't work with the APE for Windows software, and both have the same failure mode. Steve Tucker contacted me in response to my request for help, and he requested more information, which I sent to him. He believes that the most likely cause is a hardware failure in the SIO2PC adapter, and a new one is on it's way to me. thanks, Steve.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. I am starting APE for Windows using the 'USB only' icon from my Windows desktop. I installed the trial version first, then installed my registered version, and ran the configuration wizard. I have the dual SIO port version of the adapter. I've tried using both SIO ports (one at a time), but get the same failure. I tried all of your suggestions, but no success in getting APE for Windows to work. During this testing I noticed that when I first plug in the USB cable to my computer and when APE for Windows starts up, only the LED closest to the USB port lights up. The other two flash when transferring data via ProSystem, but only momentarily when I turn on the 800XL to boot it. Is this normal?

Wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem with their Atarimax SIO2PC USB adapter. Mine works with the ProSystem software (i.e. I can create virtual disks on my PC from Atari 1050 drive floppies and create Atari floppies from virtual disks on the PC. But, I haven't been able to get the adapter to work with the APE for Windows software. The APE software seems to recognize when I first turn on my 800XL, because messages are displayed in the APE log file, but the computer acts like there is no disk drive attached. Tried posting my problem in the Atarimax SIO2PC forum, but not much activity seen there. I also have a self-made SIO2PC USB cable, and have been able to boot my Atari 800XL computer from a virtual disk on my Windows 10 PC hard drive using the RespQt software with this cable. I'm using a registered copy of the APE for Windows software (latest release), and I tested the setup using two different Windows 10 computers. Both work with ProSystem, but not with APE for Windows. Doesn't appear to be a driver issue, because my PC is able to communicate with the adapter, and ProSystem works. Haven't tried APE for Windows with the self-made SIO2PC cable, because I thought that the APE for Windows software would only work with the Atarimax adapter. I'm beginning to think that there is probably something wrong with my Atarimax adapter. Still waiting for Steve at Atarimax to reply to my request for help. So, thought someone here might have an idea about my problem, while I'm waiting for a response.

I recently made a purchase from Bonus Life Computers. I found them via a Google search and was quite satisfied with my purchase from them. While they don't specfically offer parts for sale, perhaps they can be of help, since their business model is to recondition used Atari and other similar era equipment. I made my initial contact with them from their web site's "Contact Us" page.

<<<<< Sorry, but everything listed has been sold. >>>>> I have several Atari peripherals that I like to get rid of in a single lot. All items have been recently tested and were in working order. The lot includes three Atari STM1 mice, two Practical Solutions Monitor Master switches, one Practical Solutions Mouse Master switch, and one Practical Solutions Video Key. The original power supply for the Video Key is missing, but I was able to find two power adapters with the correct voltage and sufficient power rating. I had to splice on the correct connector, but both power supplies work with the unit. I see a color flicker in my composite video monitor when using the Video Key, but I don't know if the issue indicates a problem with the unit, or if that's just how it worked. I personally never used the unit, as it was part of a package of things I picked up with an Atari STf system. I'm asking $15 plus shipping for the entire lot. Since I don't have or want a PayPal or similiar account, I am asking that the buyer prepay via cashier's check or money order. I'm only interested in selling these to someone with a United States post office address, and would prefer shipping the items via USPS.

<<<<< Sorry, but everything listed in this post is now sold. >>>>> I have four Atari SF314 disk drives. All are in working order (i.e. were tested just before taking the picture today to insure that they read/write to a floppy disk). I'm only interested in selling to buyers with an United States post office address, and who are willing to prepay via cashier's check or money order. I'm asking $15 for each drive plus USPS shipping. Two of the drives will come with the original box (i.e. the serial number on the box matches the serial number on the drive). The original packaging is incomplete (i.e. probably missing original internal boxes and wraps. Also, I don't have the owner's manuals, or other Atari brochures that might have been included in the box. All four drives come with the power supply and floppy drive connector cable.