Homebrew PCBs

You can use XP if you open a dos box (start, run, "cmd") and then "copy  
yourfile.plt com1".
You also neet to set the port with the right parameters (bits, speed..),  
see the HP page for what
your printer needs. There is no free software solution to print directly  
out of xp as far as i know
but the copying works ok. I have the very same plotter.

By the way a personal opinion: plotting really sucks, don't waste too much  
time with it, toner
transfer is much better.

good luck

ST


On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 19:00:30 -0000, w7pup <woods@...> wrote:

> Hi, I just discovered this group.  I am interested in using a plotter
> to directly lay down resist for pcb boards.  I picked up an HP 7475A
> plotter a few years ago and modified it to accept a pin according to
> plans I got from someone in Australia, I think.  The plotter appears
> to work OK. I say this based on the self test.  Also I hooked it up
> to my old PC and it printed at least one sheet OK.  But now I have a
> newer PC that runs XP.  It does have one serial port but I have not
> been able to get it to respond.  I have the owner's manuals for the
> plotter.  I also use a cheap windows-based CAD program called Key
> Cad.  I have been able to draw pcb layouts manually but would like to
> output to the plotter.
> Any suggestions.
> Thanks,
> Jim, W7PUP