Apple LaserWriter NT

[Danny]

Hi

I am recently aquired an Apple LaserWriterNT, it wasn't out of direct
choice, but it was free and it works, i am a bit puzzeled about
connecting it up, there is a 25-pin female conector on the back of it
allong with an 8-pin round connector, i assume this is designed for the
macintosh compiter, so i am only concerning myself with the 25-pin,

Will it be a serial(RS-232) or parallel interface?
I started off thinking it was parallel, but then i realised that i can't
find a strictly parallel cable that terminated in male sockets at each
end, so then i tried serial cable with not much to show for my efforts,
can anyone assist me?

Dan

 

[Jessica]

allong with an 8-pin round connector, i assume this is designed for the
macintosh compiter, so i am only concerning myself with the 25-pin,

The small 8-pin is RS-423 which will work with Apple Mac's and
more esoteric stuff like Silicon Graphics boxes.

The 25 pin D is an RS-232 which can connect (slowly - 19200
baud I think) to the 25 or 9 pin serial connectors on a PC.
My memory is that you need a cross-wired "Null modem"
serial cable.

Hope that helps...

Jessica.

 

[Alan]

I am recently aquired an Apple LaserWriterNT, it wasn't out of direct
choice, but it was free and it works, i am a bit puzzeled about
connecting it up, there is a 25-pin female conector on the back of it
allong with an 8-pin round connector, i assume this is designed for the
macintosh compiter, so i am only concerning myself with the 25-pin,

Will it be a serial(RS-232) or parallel interface?

That's a serial (RS-232/422) port.
Find the service manual "laserwriter_ii.pdf" on Google.
See page 41, the ports on the back.

Note the dip switch there to change from Appletalk (the round
connector) to serial. The settings are:
UP/UP for Appletalk
UP/DN for 9600 baud serial connection, (what you want)
DN/UP for emulation mode (for Diablo printing)
DN/ DN for 1200 baud serial.

You will see which mode you're in on the startup test page.

It's an excellent, reliable machine, the toner carts are compatible
with HP II/III and widely available. Try to use Type 1 fonts rather
than Truetype for better performance.

 

[Danny]

Hi

Thanks alot, i've got it working, although when ever i try and print, it
prints out 1 blank page and 1 page saying:
"Error: undefined
OFFENDING COMMAND: rectfill

STACK:

/rf"

Any suggestions?

Danny

 

[Fred McKenzie]

<< i've got it working, although when ever i try and print, it
prints out 1 blank page and 1 page saying:
"Error: undefined >>

Danny-

Be sure you are using a driver for a PostScript printer. A generic PostScript
driver should work if you don't have the specific LaserWriter NT driver.

If you are using an HP driver, it must have PostScript selected instead of HP's
printer language.

You might find someone with an older Macintosh to test it, to be sure there
aren't other problems.

Fred

 

[Alan]

Hi

Thanks alot, i've got it working, although when ever i try and print, it
prints out 1 blank page and 1 page saying:
"Error: undefined
OFFENDING COMMAND: rectfill

STACK:

/rf"

Are you using the right driver? Windows has Laserwriter drivers built
in.
The problem appears to be that you're sending it level 2 or 3
PostScript, (rectfill), but the NT is a level 1 printer.