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The DWP-230 is a wide carriage daisy-wheel printer. It prints at twenty characters per second, can accept paper up to 16.5 inches wide, and has DIP switches on the back for changing various settings. With the appropriate cable, it can be connected to IBM-compatibles, Tandy 1000 series computers, or the older TRS-80 Color Computer systems. It is important not to use the wrong type of cable (even if it fits) to attach it to IBM-compatible systems. The DWP 230 uses Radio Shack 26-1458 or 26-1445 ribbons, which can no longer be purchased in stores. However, some web sites still sell ribbons for this printer. It appears as if Diablo Hy-Type II ribbons may be compatible with it, but this has not been verified. The Fullmark "F567 BKMS" black multistrike film ribbons have been confirmed to work in the Tandy DWP-230 printer. According to their box, these ribbons are also compatible with the Diablo Hy-Type II, TEC F-10/15/40, and various others. The Tandy DWP230 was first listed in the 1987 Radio Shack catalog for $399, and its optional bidirectional tractor feed unit was priced at $99. Ribbons cost $6-9 each at the time. In the 1990 catalog, the printer's price was $459. It is not uncommon to find a used DWP-230 daisy-wheel printer available for purchase on eBay.com. The printer is beige and has a rectangular shape. It cannot print graphics, unless they are made up of text characters. However, it prints high quality solid letters, unlike dot matrix printers. The font can be changed by inserting a different printwheel. When using the DWP-230 with Tandy DeskMate and single sheets of standard 8.5"x11" paper, it is best to set the Page Setup dialog as follows:
PRINTED LINE WIDTH... 70 TOTAL LINES PER PAGE... 59 PRINTED LINES PER PAGE... 56 Check "Pause between pages" unless you are using tractor feed paper. Consider creating a template data file with these Page Setup settings. The best DeskMate printer driver to use with this printer is either "DAISYWHEEL TAN" or "DAISYWHEEL IBM", depending upon whether the printer's DIP switches are set in IBM or Tandy mode. This printer uses no electricity when it is plugged in but switched off. It uses 28 watts while switched on but not printing. The online/offline switch does not affect power consumption. It uses 41-43 watts while printing, 44-45W when advancing the paper. The DWP-230 produces a small amount of heat when it is powered on, even when no printing is performed.
Tandy DWP-230 Support Information |