Re: Original LaserWriter Question

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Penn Stater <pennstat@ptdprolog.net> wrote:

> I recently got an original LaserWriter for the best price possible (free)
> but it didn't come with any instruction or users manual.
> 
> It prints the status page when it is initially turned on, but the test
> light blinks, sometimes rapidly, sometimes slowly, and I can't get it to
> print whether I use the 9-pin port or the 25-pin port.  Are they both
> serial ports?  What does the blinking Test light mean?

The 9-pin port is for AppleTalk.  It has the same pinout as the original
Macintosh (128K and 512K models).  It is not compatible with a PC serial
port, and you are likely to damage something if you tried to use a
normal serial cable - at least two of the pins provide power outputs
from the laser printer.

To use this port, you need a LocalTalk adaptor, either one of Apple's
genuine ones, or a third-party replacement such as PhoneNet.  Another
one would be needed on the host computer (Mac, IIgs or IIe with
Workstation Card).

The 25-pin port is probably a serial port.  I expect it is configured as
a DTE, which is natural for a printer.  This means that you would need a
null-modem cable to plug it into a PC, or a standard Mac/ImageWriter I
cable to plug it into a Mac or IIgs.  For a IIe, you would need a Super
Serial Card with the jumper block pointing at TERMINAL and a
straight-through cable.

I don't know whether the original LaserWriter supports the Diabolo
emulation that is supported by later models.  If not, you would only be
able to send Postscript data via either port.

I have no idea what the blinking light means.  I take it you have put
paper in the printer?  Other than that, I'd guess it is an error
indication, which may be reporting a hardware fault.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand