RE: Imagewriter II to IBM Serial Port

[jackm@pro-scat.cts.com (Jack Maher)]

For those interested in getting an Imagwriter II to print from their IBM PC
compatibles, this message summarizes the key information.   Thanks to all
of you who shared your experiences and suggestions.  Each of you (not all
listed here) helped, either by confirming that other things were right or
providing another missing puzzle piece!
 
 
From: aa624@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (James Moores)
Subject: Re: ImagewriterII to IBM Serial Port
 
<<<  stuff deleted  >>>
 
>       Well, I currently have my Imagewriter connected to a 486/50 and
>here's how I did it.
>
>Imagewriter -> Original Cable 25pin m -> 25pin f Null Modem Cable
>25pin m -> 25pin f Gender Changer 25pin f -> 25pin m Com 2 Port on PC
>
>You could substitute a regular 25 pin cable for the null modem cable
>and add a null modem.  If you are going to a 9 pin socket, just add a
>25pin to 9pin 1 foot cable to make the transition.  No special cabling was
>required other than the above.
 
<<<  more stuff deleted  >>>
 
Next:
 
From: jthielen@vnet.IBM.COM (James A. Thielen - Schaumburg, Il.)
Subject: IMAGEWRITER & IBM PCs
 
<<<  stuff deleted  >>>
 
>Set printer switches to the following settings for this configuration:
>
>   U.S. Character set,
>   66 lines per page,
>   8 data bits (1 stop bit, no parity),
>   pica character pitch,
>   no LF after CR,
>   9600 Baud,
>   Data Terminal Ready Protocol.
 
<<<   more stuff deleted  >>>
 
>   ImageWriter II Switch Settings:
>
>      SW 1 :  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
>              X X X X X X X X (OPEN)
>                              (CLOSE)
>
>      SW 2:   1 2 3 4 5* 6*
>                  X X         (OPEN)
>              X X             (CLOSE)
>   * NOTE: DO NOT CHANGE SWITCH 5 AND 6.
 
<<< yet even more stuff deleted >>>
 
>Finally, configure the serial port of the computer to match the
>printer configurations as above and assign the port to LPT1 by running
this
>autoexec program:
>
>  mode COM1:96,N,8,1,P
>  mode LPT1:=com1
 
and finally (the key log for me!):
 
From: Steven Nelson <snelson@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu>
Subject: Re: ImagewriterII to IBM Serial Port
 
 
>Ok, it sounds like you have the correct hardware hook-up now.  Play around
>with handshaking now.  Try xon/xoff if the cts/rts or dsr/? don't work.
>It may involve using the mode command in ms-dos as well.
 
<<<  stuff deleted  >>>
 
===========================================================================
!!  The summation (if anyone makes it this far)  !!
 
     (1)  once you get the hardware connected that's half the battle
          - cabling and IW2 dip switch settings as above
          - connect your cable to COM1 (or whatever w/ approp. changes)
          - in Windows (Printer Manager in setting the printer up),
            forget about the LPT1 stuff and use connect at COM1
 
     (2)  In DOS, the AUTOEXEC.BAT addition is necessary
 
     (3)  If you're in Windows (only) you don't need the AUTOEXEC.BAT
          change, and make sure to check the flow control setting.
For me the Xon/Xoff flow control was what I needed.
===========================================================================