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LaserWriter 360 to PowerBook G4

#1 User is offline   singraym Icon

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 05:39 PM

How to connect these? I thought I could use an ADB to USB adapter, but the cable from the LaserWriter 360 is a "local talk" cable and not an ADB cable; can I still use this printer, and if so, what connector do I need to hook it up to the PowerBook G4? I have a USB hub so if the localtalk cable could be converted to USB that would be ideal. Thanks
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#2 User is offline   Nobody Icon

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 06:31 PM

You cannot use anything that has to do with USB to connect this printer to your new Powerbook.

The easiest solution is to use a Localtalk-to-ethernet adapter - either the Asante "AsanteTalk" or the Farallon "iPrint Adapter LT". Either device works well, setup is virtually "plug and play", and cost for either is around $100.

The only alternative is to buy an ethernet print server device, which would connect to this printer's parallel port. This method also works well, but requires a bit more attention to configuration details. These devices cost around $100 and up.

Note that if your Powerbook's ethernet port is already being used for a cable/DSL internet connection, you will also need to purchase an ethernet hub or switch.

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 06:47 PM

I can verify the AsanteTalk device, it works well.
(Not that the master of networking's advice need verification!) images/icons/smile.gif

HMB While you're here, is there any way to get Rendezvous to recognize an SMC Barricade wireless router/print server? (print server is PC only) I'm guessing no as I think Rendezvous capability needs to be built into the device, but I thought I'd ask.

As well as the AsanteTalk works, I'd LOVE to eliminate it and associated wires from the mix.

G4 Quicksilver DP / TiBook 667 / LaserWriter Select 360

Phil

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#4 User is offline   singraym Icon

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 07:14 PM

thanks; i am connected to the internet now by Airport, so the AsanteTalk sounds like the right way to go.
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Posted 28 October 2002 - 07:18 PM

My understanding is that the print server built into the Barricade router supports the "Unix LPR" protocol - which also happens to be supported by all current MacOS versions provided the connected printer is Postscript-capable (which includes your LWS 360). You might want to confirm the print server supports LPR before trying the next step.

Therefore, in OS X Print Center: Click on the Add button, and select "LPR Printers using IP" as the connection method. Specify the IP address of the print server in the Barricade router, and select your printer model.

[ 10-28-2002: Message edited by: HMB ]

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 07:23 PM

singraym - since you are using Airport, connect the AsanteTalk (either directly or via an ethernet hub/switch) to the ethernet LAN port of the Airport Base Station.

MacOS X (apparently) will not allow you to use Appletalk over your Mac's ethernet port while at the same time using TCP/IP over your Mac's Airport interface. You can, however, use both TCP/IP and Appletalk at the same time over either the ethernet port OR the Airport interface. If you must cable your printer directly to your Mac, you will need to do some manual reconfiguration each time you wish to use the printer - which is a real pain.

[ 10-28-2002: Message edited by: HMB ]

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#7 User is offline   singraym Icon

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Posted 28 October 2002 - 07:38 PM

I have reviewed the AirPort base station documentation and know which port is the ethernet LAN port now, and it is available; I have already ordered an AssanteTalk and got a good price at $83 from Provantage; I will be up and running in a week or so. thanks a lot for the help. images/icons/smile.gif
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#8 User is offline   go_oski Icon

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Posted 29 October 2002 - 09:52 AM

Would this solution (AsanteTalk) also work with a LaserWriter300? I'd love to save the $$ by not buying a new printer! TIA
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Posted 29 October 2002 - 10:07 AM

go_oski: The PLW 300 has a Mac serial (not Localtalk) interface. It must be connected to a newer Mac via a USB-to-serial adapter. I am aware of only two such devices that work with this printer - the Keyspan "USB Twin Serial Adapter" and the Belkin "USB Dual Serial Adapter for Macintosh".

Note also - the Personal Laserwriter 300 is NOT supported for use with any version of MacOS X. You can only use it with MacOS 9.x or lower.

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#10 User is offline   go_oski Icon

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Posted 30 October 2002 - 12:42 AM

HMB -
Thanks for the reply. I have the Belking adapter currently, and it works well with OS 9.x. Actually, it times out and can't find a connection every few times I print, but oh well.

Too bad about not being able to use it with OS X. I guess I'll have to buy a new printer then and because of that Apple will have to wait for me to buy the Powerbook I've been saving for. Oh well!

Thanks!

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Posted 29 October 2002 - 05:10 PM

HMB - Thanks a bunch for the info. That sounds promising.

Yes, the Barricade does support LPR printing because I remember having to use it when configuring the printer for use in WinXP. However, Print Center doesn't list "LPR Printers using IP" as an option - the closest option I see is IP Printing. Is that the same thing? I'm guessing no. Plugging in the router's IP results in a no-go. (which begs a different question - is there a separate print server IP from the router IP?)

I did do some research at the Apple KB and found a couple of things about OSX (Server) where if the BSD package wasn't installed, LPR printing wouldn't be available but I did install BSD.

What am I missing?

Thanks again ... Phil

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Posted 29 October 2002 - 05:52 PM

Sorry - my reference was to an older version of OS X. You do indeed need to select "IP Printing" - which MacOS X uses to print using LPR, and which is fully supported without needing to install anything else.

My impression was that the router's IP address would also be the IP address of its print server. What happens when you do this?

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Posted 29 October 2002 - 06:46 PM

I get "opening printer connection" and then "Printer stopped". I can click Start Job but it just stops again.

I checked on my PC and the IP I used was just the main router address, so that should be the same.

I haven't restarted but assume I shouldn't have to. I've also recycled the power on the printer but no help.

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Posted 30 October 2002 - 08:00 AM

I agree with HMB (not that he needs backup) that the IP address for the print server is the one your browser uses to set the router.

I add my comments because, like Phil, I had similar error messages. My Personal LaserWriter NTR has both AppleTalk and parallel ports, so I used the parallel port to connect to the Asante 3002 router. Then I had to read the latest version of the Asante documentation (not easy to find) and figure out the correct name for my print queue.

There is a default name, and I faithfully copied it down, getting several things wrong.
I am connecting as an LPR printer over IP, so the manual listed lp as the queue name. It took me a while to realize the correct queue name is the two lower case letters of L and P. Hope this helps. -Jim

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