We printed a MacWrite document, with a number of Option-key-combination characters, to an Apple LaserWriter via the PATHWORKS 1.0 VAXshare Print Services with no problem.
We aren't really clear how GrayMatter Print Spooling Software fits into this picture, because PATHWORKS for Macintosh comes with the VAXshare Print Service. It would be helpful to know if you're printing from a Macintosh to the VAXshare Print Spooler or from the GrayMatter Print Spooler.
At any rate, the official statement from Digital for PATHWORKS 1.0 is that it only supports the following Digital and Apple printers:
- Digital: LPS20, LPS40, LPS40 Plus, LN03R
- Apple: LaserWriter, LaserWriter Plus, LaserWriter IINT and IINTX
Serially connected printers might have a problem with the default settings of 7-bit mode. To print the Option-key-combination characters, you'll need to set it to 8-bit mode.
To set the printer to 8-bit mode, print the following two files:
msap$set_params.ps
msap$show_params.ps
in the PATHWORKS directory: msa$root:[msa.msap$utility]
The second file prints a confirmation sheet on the printer.
If the above suggestion doesn't work, we strongly suggest that you contact the Digital Customer Support Center. They might know of problems associated with third-party printers and PATHWORKS, and might already have a patch for it in their database.
Article Change History:
11 Nov 1994 - Reviewed for technical accuracy.
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