Here is the method for serial connection from a PC to the LaserWriter IINT in Diablo 630 emulation mode:
1) Connection:
Connect an Apple 25 pin Serial cable (590-0037) to an Apple Modem Eliminator (590-0166). Connect one end to the 25 pin serial port on the LaserWriter IINT. Connect the other end to a serial port on the PC.
NOTE: Most serial ports for PCs use a male DB 25 connector. Since both ends of the Apple 25 pin serial cable are male, a female-to-female gender changer is required for connection to a PC serial port. An alternative is to use a straight pin-to-pin female-to-male DB 25 cable.
2) Switch Settings:
While the LaserWriter IINT is off, set the printers DIP switch settings to:
1 DOWN
2 UP
These switch settings place the LaserWriter IINT in:
Diablo 630 emulation,
RS-232 9600 Baud,
7 data bits, No parity check, 1 stop bit, with XON/XOFF handshake.
3) Power On:
Turn on the LaserWriter IINT and the PC. After a few seconds the LaserWriter IINT will print a test page containing its current settings (as listed above).
4) Set PC Communications port:
From the DOS prompt type:
MODE COM1:96,N,7,1,P
MODE LPT1:=COM1
NOTE: The LaserWriter IINT does not support 8 data bit Diablo emulation mode, meaning that ASCII characters 128-255 -- special graphic characters -- cannot be printed.
5) When printing from DOS, always follow the print command with a 'Control D'. A 'Control D' tells the LaserWriter IINT 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 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 is printed that is larger than a page.
NOTES:
The LaserWriter IINT does not support Diablo 630 mode over an AppleTalk network.
The LaserWriter IINT does not support software switching between configurations, for example, PostScript and Diablo or LocalTalk and serial.
There is also no available software for switching back to PostScript or any other emulation mode once leaving the PostScript mode. The correct method is to change the DIP switch settings and wait 30 seconds. If PostScript is desired, switch one should be set to DOWN. Wait 30 seconds and place switch back to the UP position.
Article Change History:
21 Aug 1995 - Corrected minor errors.
23 Sep 1992 - Rewritten to combine with similar articles.
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