LaserWriter 8500: Paper Out and Paper Jam Error Lights Flashing

I have my LaserWriter 8500 connected to my PC via 25-pin to 25-pin parallel cable. The paper out and paper jam error lights flash when the printer is turned on. There are no paper jams and there is plenty of paper loaded in the cassette.

When the parallel cable is removed from the printer, it powers up fine and the ready light is solid.
The LaserWriter 8500 requires a parallel cable with a 1284C connector on the end that attaches to the printer. A 25-pin parallel connector would only fit on the SCSI port of the printer, which will force the printer to enter the paper out - paper jam error state when started with this cable attached.

The parallel cable used to connect a PC to the LaserWriter 8500 must be IEEE 1284 compliant. Since IEEE 1284 has become a standard interface for parallel PC connectivity, many third-party vendors offer cables with this specification.

This cable should also be available from your Apple Dealer as part number M4235ZM/A.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012