Printing with non-Apple dot-matrix printers

[clh333]

Hello!  I am a first-time poster here with a question specific to printing from a Mac SE that is running OS 6.0.8.  (I also have other Macs: SE/30, Quadra 650, beige G3 desktop).

The SE is recently-acquired and my first compact Mac, about which I know comparatively little.  I am currently trying to figure out how to print from the Mac.  I already have a StyleWriter printer and install disks for the early and later (II) models.  But the StyleWriter installation disks would much rather see OS 7 and higher.  (The Quadra is running OS 8.1 and prints to the StyleWriter.)

Bottom line is that I am unable to use the StyleWriter successfully on the SE / 6.0.8 machine.  I have other dot-matrix printers which are parallel interface and I was wondering if it is possible to find a driver for one that is not specifically Apple.  Or is the parallel interface and non-Apple ROM a dead end?

Thank you for your assistance.

-CH-

 

[sstaylor]

Macs do not have a parallel interface.

There were serial to parallel adapters made and sold with drivers for a variety of popular parallel printers, but they're gotta be tough to come by anymore.

You may be able to find a serial printer with available mac drivers; I couldn't name any.

Edit: I just looked it up, and PowerPrint is one that did the trick.  I see a couple on ebay, but they're pricey and not all of them have the serial to parallel adapter that you need.  You might have better luck purchasing an ImageWriter II, though they are not especially cheap either, but at least they're not as scarce.

 

[Gorgonops]

Just to be clear on that "Macs don't have a parallel interface" thing, that 25 pin port on the back of most beige macs is a SCSI port that happens to use the same 25 pin plug IBM used for centronics parallel. Do not plug a printer into it, you will almost certainly let the magic smoke out.

 

[sstaylor]

Thank you Gorgonops for the clarification.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Orange Micro sold a line of adapters called "Grappler" that not only provided a serial-to-parallel adapter, but built in ImageWriter emulation as well. They produced a few models depending on what printer you have available.

-Grappler 9-pin: Supports 9-pin dotmatrix printers like the Epson FX series. The interface runs at 9600bps and emulates an ImageWriter II. It also supports Apple IIc and IIgs machines. Early models are marked "Grappler C/Mac/GS" and may have the 5-pin DIN plug from the Apple IIc on them.

-Grappler LX/LQ/LS: Supports 24-pin dotmatrix printers like the Epson LQ and some HP Laserjet and Deskjet PCL printers (compatibility varies by interface, the LX superceeds the LS/LQ). the interface runs at 57.6kbps and emulates an ImageWriter LQ.

-Grappler IIsp: Newest interface. Supports the same as the LX/LQ/LS adapter but includes a network share option and printer spooling software. It doesn't require an AC adapter like the above interfaces.

 

[clh333]

Thank you all for your suggestions, and especially to Gorgonops for the warning.  I understand the port is for SCSI; I have been using it with a Zip drive.

I have a serial-to-parallel (Apple DIN 8 to small Centronics DSub) adapter + cord.  It is labeled "PowerPrint" and "GDT Softworks" on one side and "Advanced Components and Peripherals" on the other.  I have no driver and no information about its use.  Maybe that is designed to emulate the ImageWriter.  Might anyone be familiar with this?

I guess the smart thing is to look for a decent ImageWriter, although I will keep my eyes out for the OrangeMicro hardware on eBay.

Thank you again for your assistance.

-CH-

Edit:  Just found a driver for the PowerPrint at Macintosh Repository.  V. 3.0, says "for System 7", but I'll give it a whirl.

 

[Unknown_K]

There is a strange Nubus card that gives you a parallel port for printing, but you still need mac drivers of some kind for your model printer to print to it.

 

[olePigeon]

Thank you all for your suggestions, and especially to Gorgonops for the warning.  I understand the port is for SCSI; I have been using it with a Zip drive.

I have a serial-to-parallel (Apple DIN 8 to small Centronics DSub) adapter + cord.  It is labeled "PowerPrint" and "GDT Softworks" on one side and "Advanced Components and Peripherals" on the other.  I have no driver and no information about its use.  Maybe that is designed to emulate the ImageWriter.  Might anyone be familiar with this?

You have the important part, which is the cable.  The rest is just software based.  I have a copy of the software, but it's System 6/7 only.  It might work with a newer OS.  Don't know.

 

[clh333]

You have the important part, which is the cable.  The rest is just software based.  I have a copy of the software, but it's System 6/7 only.  It might work with a newer OS.  Don't know.

I found the PowerPrint v.3.x software in the Macintosh Repository.  After downloading and un-stuffing the 4-disk-image file I read in the Readme file that V.3 is made for use with System 7 OS.  There is another version, 2.5.x, that according to the Readme functions with OS 6.0.7 and 6.0.8, which is the OS for the SE.  By any chance is that the version you have?

GDT software in Burnaby, British Columbia became InfoWave software - same location, apparently - and I sent an email asking if they had a copy of 2.5.x kicking around.  No response yet and I'd be surprised if I got one, I suppose.  But worth a try.

Thanks to all for their suggestions.

-CH-