Connecting Laserwriter II (& others) to modern network?

[Johnnya101]

I have a Laserwriter IIntx on the way, and a Personal Laserwriter NT, and was wondering how I could connect these to a modern network? Do you need a bridge at all times? I know about the localtalk to ethernet adapters, but even then, the printer only talks in AppleTalk. Is there something a modern computer can use to talk with it somehow?

If I were to upgrade it to a IIg, that would skip the ethernet adapter part, but it would still use AppleTalk?

 

[NJRoadfan]

LocalTalk-to-Ethernet plus a netatalk server with the 'pap' commandline application configured as a cups backend.

Setting up an AppleTalk file- and printserver for Classic Mac OS and OS X [E-Maculation wiki]

www.emaculation.com

Yeah, its alot, but it works. Plan-B is to just use the RS-232 serial port and a print server. Later Apple printers and aftermarket upgrades gave the option of parallel port connectivity.

 

[Johnnya101]

LocalTalk-to-Ethernet plus a netatalk server with the 'pap' commandline application configured as a cups backend.

Setting up an AppleTalk file- and printserver for Classic Mac OS and OS X [E-Maculation wiki]

www.emaculation.com

Yeah, its alot, but it works. Plan-B is to just use the RS-232 serial port and a print server. Later Apple printers and aftermarket upgrades gave the option of parallel port connectivity.

Thanks for that link! I'll check it out/

Also, let's say I want to connect the IInxt to my IIfx. Do I use two localtalk dongle things with a local talk cable? Do I use two phonenet adapters? Or do I do a direct serial connection? I think I read somewhere the printing will be slow and the printing box will be displayed if I use serial. Or should I just avoid this all, grab a localtalk to ethernet, plug the IIfx and the IInxt into a 10mbps hub, and that solves that?

 

[Fizzbinn]

I just did this for my LaserWriter 4/600. Was pretty straight forward using MacIPRpi (thanks @mactjaap !) which I'm also now using as a universal fileserver for old Macs and modern machines on my home network.

Kinda funny to print (albeit slowly!) to a LocalTalk connected AppleTalk only speaking printer via AirPrint from my iPhone.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Yes, direct connection to vintage Macs would be via LocalTalk with either a serial cable or PhoneNet.

 

[Johnnya101]

I just did this for my LaserWriter 4/600. Was pretty straight forward using MacIPRpi (thanks @mactjaap !) which I'm also now using as a universal fileserver for old Macs and modern machines on my home network.

Kinda funny to print (albeit slowly!) to a LocalTalk connected AppleTalk only speaking printer via AirPrint from my iPhone.

Mind if I ask how easily this is done? If I get a bridge, and let's say connect the IIfx, IInxt, and Rpi running MacIPRpi, what else would need to be done?

 

[beachycove]

If you wanted to press an old Mac into service, check out Print 66.

MacipRPI sounds really interesting, though. How much would a pi all set up set me back?

 

[Johnnya101]

If you wanted to press an old Mac into service, check out Print 66.

MacipRPI sounds really interesting, though. How much would a pi all set up set me back?

The full model B or whatever they are on now would cost around $50-$100 depending on how many goodies you want it to come with. There are cheaper versions, but for something like that I'd get the full one.

 

[volvo242gt]

LocalTalk works fine for connecting your pre-new world Macs to the IINTX. Eventually, I'd find a IIg board and swap that in. That way, you can use it with machines that don't have LocalTalk capabilities built-in. Did the upgrade on my old IINTX and was able to print directly from my B&W G3 (not my currently listed G3, of course), even after it was updated to 10.4.11...

 

[Johnnya101]

LocalTalk works fine for connecting your pre-new world Macs to the IINTX. Eventually, I'd find a IIg board and swap that in. That way, you can use it with machines that don't have LocalTalk capabilities built-in. Did the upgrade on my old IINTX and was able to print directly from my B&W G3 (not my currently listed G3, of course), even after it was updated to 10.4.11...

I was thinking of doing this as well. Have you tried it from anything newer yet?

 

[volvo242gt]

Got rid of the printer when it started paper jamming every other time I tried to print something. This would've been in 2007 or 2008. But, something similar to what @NJRoadfan suggests, minus the AsanteTalk adapter if using the IIg board, would work on a machine that's newer.

 

[Johnnya101]

If you wanted to press an old Mac into service, check out Print 66.

MacipRPI sounds really interesting, though. How much would a pi all set up set me back?

Just looked at Pi prices on ebay now... Wow they have shot up. They used to be $50+, now they are $100 minimum.

Should be getting my Laserwriter II next week, along with a IIg upgrade board. Figured I could spend $150 on a localtalk bridge, or $100 for a IIg board, so just went with a IIg. I have new toner and a Raspberry Pi 3 coming as well. I'll post some updates here and will be trying to do what @Fizzbinn did.

 

[Fizzbinn]

Just looked at Pi prices on ebay now... Wow they have shot up. They used to be $50+, now they are $100 minimum.

Should be getting my Laserwriter II next week, along with a IIg upgrade board. Figured I could spend $150 on a localtalk bridge, or $100 for a IIg board, so just went with a IIg. I have new toner and a Raspberry Pi 3 coming as well. I'll post some updates here and will be trying to do what @Fizzbinn did.

You can do the MacIP thing with a VM running on a modern PC/Mac instead of the Pi, there is a VM image on MacIPRpi which I think has the same software as the Pi image.

 

[mactjaap]

Thanks for your interest in the MacIP stuff. Yes a Rpi is nice but costs some money. The VM and tiny version are software based. If have also a version for the OrangePi. This is a Raspberry clone. Cheap. But not so cheap as it used to be I bought them in the old days for only $9,99
Now they are more expensive.
if you have more questions… please let me know!

 

[CC_333]

Just looked at Pi prices on ebay now... Wow they have shot up. They used to be $50+, now they are $100 minimum.

That's inflation for ya. It makes me sad, as it has rendered the prices of virtually everything far beyond my already small budget.

Still, though, I did manage to find a listing for a Pi 400 for $60 shipped, which I'm hugely tempted to buy as it seems very neat to have a nice, compact keyboard with the latest in Pi technology built right in (I already have an "old-fashioned" traditional 2B v1.1, but it's limited to 32-bit and is kind of slow).

c

 

[Unknown_K]

I just did this for my LaserWriter 4/600. Was pretty straight forward using MacIPRpi (thanks @mactjaap !) which I'm also now using as a universal fileserver for old Macs and modern machines on my home network.

Kinda funny to print (albeit slowly!) to a LocalTalk connected AppleTalk only speaking printer via AirPrint from my iPhone.

The 4/600 is great if you have the RAM upgrade. I have a serial to ethernet (needs an adapter which I don't have many of) device for it but it's not in use. Rubber rollers tend to dry out so you get paper jams on old laser printers, some alcohol with make them sticky again.

You could also just get an old HP Proscript laser you can still find parts for like my 4Si with has ethernet, serial Appletalk, parallel, and tokenring (depending on what add-on cards you use).

 

[Johnnya101]

Has anyone tried the recent MacIP release? I am trying it with a Pi 3B and it hangs at SSHing, and sends the CPU load skyrocketing and freezes everything.

 

[Fizzbinn]

I have MacIPRpi-5.02.img installed a month ago on Pi 4B 2GB. Didn't have a problem with SSH.

Does the Pi Monitor load? http://<your_pi3_ip_address>:8888

 

[Johnnya101]

I have MacIPRpi-5.02.img installed a month ago on Pi 4B 2GB. Didn't have a problem with SSH.

Does the Pi Monitor load? http://<your_pi3_ip_address>:8888

Sometimes. When it does work, it shows the CPU pegged all the way to the right, in the red, at level 6! The web proxy and everything else works though.

 

[Fizzbinn]

The 4/600 is great if you have the RAM upgrade. I have a serial to ethernet (needs an adapter which I don't have many of) device for it but it's not in use. Rubber rollers tend to dry out so you get paper jams on old laser printers, some alcohol with make them sticky again.

You could also just get an old HP Proscript laser you can still find parts for like my 4Si with has ethernet, serial Appletalk, parallel, and tokenring (depending on what add-on cards you use).

Yeah, I've have the 4MB upgrade for my 4/600. I actually bought back in the day (late 90s) when I was using it in college, I don't remember why exactly, but likely because there was a upgrade to be done and I could. Surprisingly ~20+ years later it works just fine, no jamming or roller problems.