Re: Power Print for IIgs?

[NoMoreSpam <NoMoreSpam@haha.net>]

Wayne:

Based on the report of a guy saying he had used one with a IIGS, I bought 3
different versions of PowerPrint adapters.

When I failed in my attempts to get them to work, I dug into the internals
of the hardware and firmware.

Basically, the thing requires a 57600 XON/XOFF software handshake input from
the GS, which really isn't practical using the standard GS firmware.

Now, I have played with the SSC chip and changed baud rates above 19,200,
etc..., but that can be difficult to implement from inside commercial
applications.

So ... I bought an ATEN serial-parallel converter from Jameco Electronics.
It is fully configurable as to baud rate, handshake etc, and works fine from
the GS.

Funny thing, though. The ATEN unit does not work from the serial port of a
Power Mac G3. Apple changed from the SSC to another serial port chip
somewhere down the line. Apparently the RS-422 in the later Power Macs has
different signal levels compared to the SCC and the RS-232 ATEN adapter just
won't communicate well with it, regardless of how you cable the thing. And
believe me, I tried every trick in the book, including varing the power
supply voltage to the adapter.

I wanted the PowerPrints to use with Bernie to run parallel printers from
Bernie's emulated serial ports.

I never got it to work. Instead, the current strategy is to pop in a USB
card, get a USB to 9-pin RS-232 adapter, and hook that to the ATEN
serial-parallel adapter.

Bernie should recognize the USB serial port adapter under the Communications
Toolbox, and all should be fine.

Man, if UltraMacros enhanced AppleWorks 5.1 weren't the best damn software
I've ever used, I wouldn't jump through so many hoops. Thanks a MEG, Randy
Brandt!

Hugh...

> From: Wayne Stewart <waynes@telus.dotnet>
> Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
> Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 07:26:49 GMT
> Subject: Power Print for IIgs?
> 
> I picked up a couple of Power Print serial to parrallel cables.
> Has anyone tried these particular adapters with the IIgs?
> 
> Wayne
>