Hi guys,
I have a 4-port manual serial switch that I am trying to use to swap my ImageWriter II between my Mac Plus and PowerTower Pro. I used to use the box to swap between an AppleTalk Network and Printer on my Performa 6300 (yes, one of those with the damn serial switch inactivated by the modem). Anyhows, it worked all of those 20+ years ago fine. Now, It does not appear to work for the printer signal. It is a dead-simple manual switch: No electronics at work here. I tested for continuity between the main port and the ones that switch. I was having somewhat high resistance on a pin or two, so I figured it could be that. I cleaned the switch contacts with contact cleaner, and then rechecked continuity. Continuity between all pins and ground seem to be just fine, with equally low resistances on all pins. However, it still appears to not want to work. Using a straight serial cable to printer works no problem.
Any way to troubleshoot or figure out what is wrong with this thing?
I have a 4-port manual serial switch that I am trying to use to swap my ImageWriter II between my Mac Plus and PowerTower Pro. I used to use the box to swap between an AppleTalk Network and Printer on my Performa 6300 (yes, one of those with the damn serial switch inactivated by the modem). Anyhows, it worked all of those 20+ years ago fine. Now, It does not appear to work for the printer signal. It is a dead-simple manual switch: No electronics at work here. I tested for continuity between the main port and the ones that switch. I was having somewhat high resistance on a pin or two, so I figured it could be that. I cleaned the switch contacts with contact cleaner, and then rechecked continuity. Continuity between all pins and ground seem to be just fine, with equally low resistances on all pins. However, it still appears to not want to work. Using a straight serial cable to printer works no problem.
Any way to troubleshoot or figure out what is wrong with this thing?
Last edited by a moderator:

