Original ImageWriter on SE

[3583Bytes]

I got an original Image Writer printer (not II) with my Mac 128K.  I managed to get it working fine on it.

However when I hook it up to my Mac SE, I can't print, nothing happens, the computer seems to think it printed but the printer does not respond.  Am I missing something that would make the SE different.  I am fairly sure the cable is fine because I have used it for other tasks.

 

[Elfen]

Hmm... The SE\SE/30\Plus\Mac II serial Ports are a Mini Din 8 ports. Is it an Apple printer Cable - Mini Din 8 to DB 25? It should have an icon of a printer on either end on the connector. If not it is a modem cable and that may not work.

I do not think the SE has fuses on the serial ports but I might be wrong (*Goes to check his SE/30 board*) Hmmmm... Assuming that the serial I/O of the SE/30 is the same as the SE, I see no fuses there. Just 2 resistor network chips, aka "Filters."

On the SE, go to the chooser and make sure Apple Talk is turned off and the right port is selected. If the printer is connected to the printer port, select the printer port. If it does not work, switch the cable to the modem port and select the modem port on the chooser and try again.

Apple Talk only affects the pinter port, so if it is on, it will knock down your printer port and use it as an Apple Talk Network Port. This would render any printer without Apple Talk (like the ImageWriter and ImageWriter II) not able to print.

 

[3583Bytes]

Well so I made sure that apple talk is turned off, plus I changed the connection to modem like you suggested and configured it in chooser.  No luck.  The cable I have has no icon, it may be a serial cable.  I was surprised to hear it is different but that may be it,

Any other ideas?

 

[Scott Baret]

Check your cable.

You specifically will need an Imagewriter I to DIN-8 cable. I tried unsuccessfully to get an Imagewriter I on a Mac years ago, and it didn't work. Turns out, I was using a modem cable. The pins fit, but the cable wasn't the right one. (I had a similar experience with a DB-9 to DIN-8 ImageWriter II trial on a 512Ke).

Imagewriter Is do print to newer Macs. I used one on a PowerBook 190 last year.

 

[Elfen]

I would agree with Scott Baret, it sounds like you have a modem cable and not a printer cable. Mac Printer cables have a little printer on the plastic ends.