You are correct, the PostScript code for the LaserWriter IINTX for software
mode switching does not work on the Personal LaserWriter NT. The
"setsoftwareiomode" value, which is used in the LaserWriter IINTX to set the
mode, is not defined in the Personal LaserWriter NT.
However, you can use software switching to switch the Personal LaserWriter NT
temporarily from PostScript to HP LaserJet+ or Diablo emulation. To emulate the
HP LaserJet+, send the following PostScript to the Personal LaserWriter NT:
statusdict begin
currentfile /hpcl emulate
To emulate the Diablo, send the following PostScript to the Personal
LaserWriter NT:
statusdict begin
currentfile /Diablo emulate
This DOES NOT work the same way software switching to set the mode on a
LaserWriter IINTX works. As soon as this job is completed, the Personal
LaserWriter NT will change back to PostScript mode. Therefore, you must send
this code at the beginning of each job with the job appended to it. To do
this, you could put the previous PostScript code in a file, say "hpcl.ps".
Then, to print a job in HP LaserJet+ mode from a PC, type:
copy hpcl.ps+filename.txt lpt
This would send the file you want printed in the same job as the PostScript
code that switches the Personal LaserWriter NT to HP LaserJet+ mode. If these
files are sent separately, the Personal LaserWriter NT will have already reset
back to PostScript mode before the file to be printed reaches the printer.
As this PostScript must be sent with every job, a file cannot be printed
straight from a program to the Personal LaserWriter NT. The file would have to
be saved to disk, and then sent to the Personal LaserWriter NT as specified
above.
You can also set the pushwheel switch on the Personal LaserWriter NT for HP
LaserJet+ or Diablo emulation. Switch position 2 sets it to HP LaserJet+ mode,
and switch position 3 sets it to Diablo mode.