PCW printers

External printers for the PCW9512 and the PcW9512+

The PCW9512 and the PcW9512+ both use the Amstrad PCW daisywheel printer. Unfortunately the hammer, or armature, which is a critical component of the printer is no longer being made and stocks are rapidly becoming exhausted.

The daisywheel printer has its own dedicated port, but luckily these machines also have a parallel connector at the rear of the machine to which another printer can be connected. Such a printer must be compatible with the PCW9512 so it's no use just trying any printer. Most of the cheaper modern ink jet printers will work only with the PC and Microsoft Windows and are sometimes known as Winprinters.

I have done some preliminary investigations and so far have come up with the following information.

For printers to work with the PCW a suitable 'driver' is required. This is a small piece of code which forms an interface between the printer and the operating system. Discs full of drivers were supplied for Locoscript and you probably have such discs tucked away. Locoscript installation discs also contain drivers and the means to install printers. Time to get out your original Locoscript discs and instruction manual.
Dot matrix printers - Many of the older dot matrix printers will work, provided you have a suitable driver.
Inkjet printers - Many of the older ones are OK. but if you want to splash out on a new printer contact SD Micros - a link to their website is on the web links page of this site. Prices start at £ 99 but include Locoscript 4. Remember that Locoscript 4, although in monochrome on the screen, will print in colour. Such a printer could also be used for your PC perhaps.
Laser printers - Some laser printers, eg the Epson EPL-6100 with FX compatibility are fine.

Sometimes it may be found that an 'external' printer will only work with the daisywheel connected, working or not. This is because of a bug in earlier versions of CP/M. If you find this problem the solution is to upgrade your CP/M disc. SD Micros can supply a suitable CP/M disc.

Before writing this page I asked for information on the subject through the comp.sys.amstrad.8bit but the response was poor. However I'm indebted to John Elliott, Frank van Empel and Steve Denson for some of the information enclosed herein.

I shall endeavour to find out more and publish it here.

Ron