TOPIC -----------------------------------------------------------
If you want to print from a PC to a LaserWriter IINTX set in Diablo 630
emulation mode, this article contains some suggestions.
DISCUSSION ------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary Note: You may experience a problem printing to the LaserWriter
IINTX in Diablo mode when the emulation mode is set by the DIP switches. A
communication problem appears when printing the upper 127 ASCII characters. The
problem is related to the serial port DIP setting of 7 data bits. To attain
full emulation, the serial port can be configured detailed in this article.
Currently, there is no method of software switching back to PostScript or to
any other emulation mode once you have left the PostScript mode. The correct
method is to change the DIP switch settings and wait 30 seconds. If you want to
use PostScript, switch one should be set to DOWN. Wait 30 seconds and move the
switch back to the UP position.
Step One: Connection
--------------------
Connect an Apple 25-pin Serial cable (590-0037) to an Apple Modem Eliminator
(590-0166). Take one end and connect it to the 25-pin serial port on the
LaserWriter IINTX. Connect the other end to a serial port on the PC.
Note: Most serial ports for PCs use a male DB-25 connector. Because both ends
of the Apple 25-pin serial cable are male, you need a female-to-female "gender
mender" to connect to a PC serial port. Alternatively, you can use a straight,
pin-to-pin, female-to-male, DB-25 cable.
Step Two: Switch Settings
-------------------------
While the LaserWriter IINTX is off, set these printer DIP switch settings:
* 1 UP
* 2 DOWN
* 3 UP
* 4 UP
* 5 UP
* 6 DOWN
These switch settings place the LaserWriter IINTX in:
* PostScript Batch Mode,
* RS-232 9600 Baud
* RS-422 9600 Baud
* 7 data bits, No parity check, 1 stop bit, with DTR/DSR handshake
Step Three: Power On
--------------------
Turn on the LaserWriter IINTX and the PC. After a few seconds, the
LaserWriter IINTX prints a test page containing its current settings
(listed above).
Step Four: PostScript Code
--------------------------
The following PostScript code switches the LaserWriter II into LaserJet+
emulation mode. Note: The "%" characters and following comments are not
necessary. You can omit them when typing in the program. For DTR/DSR, from the
DOS prompt type:
COPY CON POST.TXT
serverdict begin 0 exitserver %This exits the printer server loop.
statusdict begin %Start modifying stuff.
9 0 3 setsccbatch %Turns off the RS-422 9600 Baud port.
25 9600 68 setsccbatch %set the 25 pin RS-232 9600 Baud port-8 data
bits.
2 setsoftwareiomode %Set printer to Diablo 630 emulation mode.
0 sethardwareiomode %Set communications mode to serial.
end %This is the end of the mode switch routine.
systemdict/quit get exec %Set the printer up for a fall.
30 400 moveto %Force an error to cause a system start test
%page.
(control z) %The keyboard control key and the z key
%together. This ends text editing and saves
%the file.
For XON/XOFF, from the DOS prompt type:
COPY CON POST.TXT
serverdict begin 0 exitserver %This exits the printer server loop.
statusdict begin %Start modifying stuff.
9 0 3 setsccbatch %Turns off the RS-422 9600 Baud port.
25 9600 64 setsccbatch %set the 25 pin RS-232 9600 Baud port-8 data
%bits.
2 setsoftwareiomode %Set printer to Diablo 630 emulation mode.
0 sethardwareiomode %Set communications mode to serial.
end %This is the end of the mode switch routine.
systemdict/quit get exec %Set the printer up for a fall.
30 400 moveto %Force an error to cause a system start test
%page.
(control z) %The keyboard control key and the z key
%together. This ends text editing and saves
%the file.
Step Five: Batch File
---------------------
You need to create a batch file to set up the PC's communications port and
to send the PostScript code to the printer.
1) From the DOS prompt, type:
COPY CON DIABLO.BAT
MODE COM1:96,N,8,1,P
MODE LPT1:=COM1
TYPE POST.TXT > LPT1
2) Press Control-Z to conclude.
Step Six: Change LaserWriter IINTX to Diablo 630 Emulation Mode
---------------------------------------------------------------
Type DIABLO from the DOS prompt to set the NTX to Diablo emulation. The
printer switches internally from the PostScript Batch mode to Diablo 630
emulation. After a few seconds, it prints a test page displaying the
new settings.
Your printer will now print graphics and text properly with the emulation
provided by the Adobe PostScript ROMS. This solves the problem of losing the
8th data bit for special text and graphics, as well as the problem with the
"print screen" keyboard command not functioning.
Troubleshooting: No test page
-----------------------------
The LaserWriter IINTX will not print a test page to indicate Diablo emulation
mode, follow these steps:
1) Check cable, connector box connections, and paper supply to the
LaserWriter II.
2) Turn off any spooler commands that may be implemented on the PC.
3) Check the PostScript file (POST.TXT) and the batch file (DIABLO.BAT) for
any typing errors. If none is apparent, we suggest re-typing the
PostScript code from scratch. If the LaserWriter II does not get the
PostScript code character-for-character, the mode change will not work.
4) Once the code has been retyped, send it to the LaserWriter IINTX. If the
LaserWriter IINTX prints a test page, then all is well. If the
LaserWriter IINTX prints out a page containing the PostScript code, it
is in Diablo emulation mode, but a test page will not be printed. (There
is an error in the PostScript code that instructs the LaserWriter IINTX
to print a test page, but the mode switch was successful.)
5) If the LaserWriter II does nothing, then start over from step 1.
Troubleshooting: Not printing from an application
-------------------------------------------------
If the LaserWriter IINTX will not print from within an application, do these
steps:
1) Check the applications print settings to ensure that it is sending output to
LPT1 or COM1.
(Note: When printing from DOS, always follow the print command with a "Control
D." A "Control D" tells the LaserWriter IINTX that the data transmission is
completed and printing can now begin. The best method is to create another
text file with a "Control D" inside.
Enter the following from the DOS prompt:
COPY CON D.TXT
(Control D)
(Control Z) or (F6)
Now, make a batch file to send the end-of-page marker to the printer.
From the DOS prompt, enter:
COPY CON END.BAT
TYPE D.TXT > LPT1
(Control Z) or (F6)
After doing a TYPE or Print Screen or DIR to the printer, just type END,
and the printer will print any remaining data in the buffer.
If your print job does not have a Control-D (end of page) character, you
will have to wait for a job time-out for your print job or until another
job (that is longer than a page) is printed.