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candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  17:03:15
I've never owned or had much contact with any model laserwriter, so I know exactly nothing about them. Instead of digging through the knowledge archive for a tidbit here and there, could someone give a quick synopsis of models and features? Which have ethernet, multiple paper trays, cheaper toner, etc? Also, OS X drivers are a plus, but I know where to look for those, and there don't seem to be any availble from apple. THAT's too bad. It would be so great to have my quadras and iMacs using the same network printer...what an ego boost for those 68k's! I could find a cheap HP or Canon model, sure, but hey, it's Apple!

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }
Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  17:22:07
get a LaserWriter IIg, i love mine, i finally got some extra paper trays so i can keep one full of scrap paper ans one with good paper and i even found an HP legal paper tray for it.

i've still got it on localtalk because it's so much faster than when it had an nt board in it that i still haven't bothered to test the ethernet. i haven't tested it with X yet tho, there must be a LaserWriter 8 driver tho, that's what every computer i have on my network uses to print to it.

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
~Coxy
Leader, Tactical Ops Unit


Australia
2822 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  17:36:24
LaserWriters (except the SCSI ones!) will work fine with OS X, my HP LaserJet 5MP does! (600dpi @ 6ppm, 250 page tray, LocalTalk only.)

~Coxy - Leader, Tactical Operations Unit
Mayor of NuBus City v3.0
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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  18:19:10
quote:

LaserWriters (except the SCSI ones!)

are you saying my IIg won't work with X?

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
~Coxy
Leader, Tactical Ops Unit


Australia
2822 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  19:02:28
To the best of my knowledge, the standard printer drivers with OS X are only for networked printers and USB.

~Coxy - Leader, Tactical Operations Unit
Mayor of NuBus City v3.0
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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  19:08:41
quote:

To the best of my knowledge, the standard printer drivers with OS X are only for networked printers and USB.

IIg is ethernet/localtalk/serial and Postscript Level 2 so it should be OK i would think, i think i can set it up as PCL or whatever the heck the LaserJet language standard is too IIRC.

jt ™.
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C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
thelip
Full Member


USA
729 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  19:21:57
When my IInxt choose to work, it worked in osx via a localtalk adapter. The IIg is probably the best B&w apple laserwriter. Technically you can share serial printers on the network just fine, i never tried. www.threemacs.com talks about networking printers. I thought my Nxt would solve all my printer needs, but that wasn't the case. Laserwriters require upkeep. As soon as i had replaced one thing, something else would crap out. Of course if you can find one that hasn't printed much, then you're in luck. Around 100,000 pages and you're going to be spending more on parts than the printer cost you. Also keep in mind, that you can swap mobos in seconds, and mobos keep the page counter so somebody can put a newer mobo in a worthless printer and you're in a mess.

After about 6 months of struggling with that nxt, i went out and bought an epson 820 and it's been awesome. I just send my docs to my ppc and print from that.

_______________________
Sgt. Thelip
Heavy Weapons Specialist - 950 division
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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  19:49:17
quote:

Around 100,000 pages and you're going to be spending more on parts than the printer cost you. Also keep in mind, that you can swap mobos in seconds, and mobos keep the page counter so somebody can put a newer mobo in a worthless printer and you're in a mess.

i bought 4 spares for a lot less than the cost of a toner cartridge! they're probably pretty well worn out, but everything seems fine except the pickup rollers. they all had IIg boards, which is how i upgraded my IInt.

http://homepage.mac.com/jwt1863/.Pictures/Shop/MacStack2.jpg

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
~Coxy
Leader, Tactical Ops Unit


Australia
2822 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  21:01:07
quote:

IIg is ethernet/localtalk/serial and Postscript Level 2 so it should be OK i would think, i think i can set it up as PCL or whatever the heck the LaserJet language standard is too IIRC.

Why did you quote me on the SCSI thing, then? You're confusing me!

~Coxy - Leader, Tactical Operations Unit
Mayor of NuBus City v3.0
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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  21:15:34
quote:

Why did you quote me on the SCSI thing, then? You're confusing me!

i think i read that as Postscript instead of SCSI for some reason! why should i be the only one confused?

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 01 Aug 2002 :  23:38:51
Well, as of 5 minutes ago, I am running OS X, so the laserwriter 8 news is music to my ears. I'm checking out the market on these babies. So, everyone likes the IIg? Does it have built in ethernet, or is some sort of expansion card availble? Localtalk isn't really an option...we're running iMacs and PB G3's as our most active computers, and well, I don't think my Q660av is going to stick around here as a print server when I go off to college. Is it really that easy to swap mobos out of these things? What's the deal on paper trays? Is it just that some of them out there have lost track of their trays over time?

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }Go to Top of Page
kastegir
New Member


USA
58 Posts		 Posted - 23 Aug 2002 :  21:29:18
Actually, I got a laserwriter 360 on eBay for around $80 with a decent toner cartridge. I'm runnin Localtalk Bridge on a Powerbook 180 and have that connected to my ethernet network with a SCSI/ethernet adapter.

The practical upshot is that now the Laserwriter (with only serial and parallel ports) shows up as a standard Appletalk laserwriter on all of my OSX machines (a G4 Cube, icebook and Pismo), all of which are on Airport.

The output on the laserwriter is great and the PB180 makes a decent print server/bridge. :-)

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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 23 Aug 2002 :  22:10:23
quote:

Actually, I got a laserwriter 360 on eBay for around $80 with a decent toner cartridge. I'm runnin Localtalk Bridge on a Powerbook 180 and have that connected to my ethernet network with a SCSI/ethernet adapter.

welcome aboard, kastegir!

Sounds sweet, what's your exact hardware/software configuration?

SCSI<->10baseT(?) Adapter
Driver Rev.
System Software
Ethertalk/Appletalk
extensions
control panels
whatever else i'm too tired to think of . . .

a lot of the troops here and a couple folks over on fritter have had an aweful time trying to get SCSI<->10baseT solutions up and running. any insight you could provide would be great!

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
gdogkzo
Junior Member



147 Posts		 Posted - 25 Aug 2002 :  20:16:38
HEres the deal with OS X. Someone has told me OSX is Level 2 Post Script only. If this is true then the only LW II's you can use are IIg and IIF. I have a LW Pro 630 which works great! 8PPM, Ethernet onboard, highly reccomended!

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kastegir
New Member


USA
58 Posts		 Posted - 26 Aug 2002 :  15:35:47
quote:

quote:

Actually, I got a laserwriter 360 on eBay for around $80 with a decent toner cartridge. I'm runnin Localtalk Bridge on a Powerbook 180 and have that connected to my ethernet network with a SCSI/ethernet adapter.

welcome aboard, kastegir!

Sounds sweet, what's your exact hardware/software configuration?

SCSI<->10baseT(?) Adapter
Driver Rev.
System Software
Ethertalk/Appletalk
extensions
control panels
whatever else i'm too tired to think of . . .

a lot of the troops here and a couple folks over on fritter have had an aweful time trying to get SCSI<->10baseT solutions up and running. any insight you could provide would be great!

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAF

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kastegir
New Member


USA
58 Posts		 Posted - 01 Sep 2002 :  16:35:21
quote:

welcome aboard, kastegir!

Sounds sweet, what's your exact hardware/software configuration?

SCSI<->10baseT(?) Adapter
Driver Rev.
System Software
Ethertalk/Appletalk
extensions
control panels
whatever else i'm too tired to think of . . .

a lot of the troops here and a couple folks over on fritter have had an aweful time trying to get SCSI<->10baseT solutions up and running. any insight you could provide would be great!

jt


OK, here's the set up:
Powerbook 180 running System 7.5.5
Localtalk Bridge software version 2.1 ( I think)
Asante Mini EN/SC scsi ethernet adapter, running version 5.6.1 of Asanta Ethertalk software (extension)

With the laserwriter hooked up to the powerbook and the powerbook hooked up to my LAN, My G$ cube and iBook (over airport) see the laserwriter just fine and print to is with no problem. It just shows up in OSX Print Center under Appletalk Printers.

Once I swap a new motherboard into my Quadra 700, I'll use that as the bridge. Then I can actually use the powerbook again...

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candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  15:44:35
Well, as I'm probably going to have an airport soon, all of this is good news too. I think I've got a possible setup devised, but want to confirm that it's how things can work. I'd hook up a serial laserwriter (if no ethernet ones are cheap or plentiful enough) to the LC NES (LCIII which is really almost done, I swear!), and hook the LC NES up to my network with a 10baseT card. With a piece of software, the appletalk connection is bridged from the serial port to the ethernet, hence the term localtalk bridge? I've got that straight, I hope? The enet card is asante branded. Sound good?

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }Go to Top of Page
Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  16:23:51
quote:

I'd hook up a serial laserwriter (if no ethernet ones are cheap or plentiful enough) to the LC NES (LCIII which is really almost done, I swear!), and hook the LC NES up to my network with a 10baseT card. With a piece of software, the appletalk connection is bridged from the serial port to the ethernet, hence the term localtalk bridge? I've got that straight, I hope? The enet card is asante branded. Sound good?

Sounds functionally equivalent to printing to the Appletalk port on my LaserWriter IIg (upgraded IInt) from my AsanteTalk bridge connected to an 8 port Asante FriendlyNet, 10baseT hub from everything i've tried to print with from my G4/466 under 10.1 to my 2300c under 7.5.3. I've had several 68k's printing to it too here and there, but I rarely do anything that'd need to be printed on 68k boxes. The uplink on the hub is attached to my DSL modem and I can still hook several 68k's onto the PhoneNet Chain whenever I feel like it. Just be sure to get a Postscript Level 2 (or upgradeable to level 2) printer and OSX shouldn't be a big deal at all.

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  17:08:06
So I've got that localtalk/serial and ethernet part straight?

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }Go to Top of Page
Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  17:14:37
quote:

So I've got that localtalk/serial and ethernet part straight?

It sounds like it, but make sure serial printing is the same as Appletalk (PhoneNet), I'm not certainwe're talking about the same thing here.

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  18:08:04
I'm looking at Laserwriter 4/600 (level 2 postscript). It has a localtalk port (I was under the impression that any serial port could be used as this, but the TIL says "localtalk"). Can I plug that into the serial port of the LC, get the localtalk bridge software that kastegir has, and use the printer over appletalk on my ethernet/airport network? Is that what the software does?

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }Go to Top of Page
~Coxy
Leader, Tactical Ops Unit


Australia
2822 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  19:25:06
That should work, because the serial cable acts like a crossover cable would in the Ethernet world, creating a closed network.

~Coxy - Leader, Tactical Operations Unit
Mayor of NuBus City v3.0
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Trash80toG-4
NIGHT STALKER


USA
2899 Posts		 Posted - 03 Sep 2002 :  19:25:51
quote:

I'm looking at Laserwriter 4/600 (level 2 postscript). It has a localtalk port (I was under the impression that any serial port could be used as this, but the TIL says "localtalk"). Can I plug that into the serial port of the LC, get the localtalk bridge software that kastegir has, and use the printer over appletalk on my ethernet/airport network? Is that what the software does?

Sounds right to me, you want to use a pair of terminated PhoneNet connector with a modular phone cord (minimum of 2 pairs implemented because it uses the second pair) from the printer port to the localtalk port on the Printer and an LC PDS NIC to connect to your hub unless everything else is wireless, in which case, you can use a crossover cable from the LC NIC to your airport hub. That would be my understanding of it, but again, I'm no expert.

COULD WE GET A LITTLE HELP HERE FROM SOMEBODY WHO REALLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS CRAP!?!! MARCHIE? . . . ANYBODY!!!!!!

jt ™.
Trash Hauler: call sign: eight-ball
C.O. AC-130H SpecOps 68kMLAAFGo to Top of Page
candyPunk
Full Member


USA
856 Posts		 Posted - 08 Sep 2002 :  00:07:39
Well, I bought the laserwriter 4/600. $45 all told. I'm pleased. Now, where do I get this localtalk bridge software? I'll look for it when I get a minute, but school is in full swing now and I seem to have fewer and fewer of those. Any help?

{ candyPunk }
{ Captain of Observation, 68k MLA }
{ 68k Macs liberated: 3}
{ My baby: Q660av }Go to Top of Page
~Coxy
Leader, Tactical Ops Unit


Australia
2822 Posts		 Posted - 08 Sep 2002 :  05:52:46
http://geethree.com/downloads_localtalk2.html

Google is thy friend.

~Coxy - Leader, Tactical Operations Unit
Mayor of NuBus City v3.0
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gdogkzo
Junior Member



147 Posts		 Posted - 08 Sep 2002 :  07:56:16
Apple (believe it or not) also has this on there ftp server.

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