cctalk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 17 - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

6 Apr 2005

...
  On Apr 5, 2005 9:59 PM, liste at artware.qc.ca
<liste at artware.qc.ca>  
 wrote:
  Looking around the local salvation army, I
spotted a LaserWriter plus.
 I've searched the archives and discovered it's a PostScript enabled  
 laser
 printer with RS-442 interface.  It seems.  No disucssion of the "plus"
 specifically. 

Manual is at  
<http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Manuals/printers/ 
LaserwriterLaserwriterPlus.PDF>
Specifications at  
<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112476>

...
    If it helps,
there was a DB-25, a DE-9 and small (4? 6?)
 dip switch on the back (that I remember, I don't remember any  
 mini-DIN). 
 Nope... no mini-DIN.  The DE-9 is the AppleTalk interface (like 512K
 Macs).  The DB-25 is for ordinary serial devices so that, IIRC, one
 can blow ASCII at it and the LW+ intereprets it as, I think, a Diablo
 daisywheel printer, courier only, etc.  I _think_ there's a way to
 emit PostScript at the DB25, but it's not going to be a speedy
 interface.  The printer was primarily developed for Mac use on
 AppleTalk/LocalTalk

See <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24471> for  
interface.

...
   I'd be
interested in having a "real" postscript printer.  But I'd  
 like to
 test it before buying. 
 One could take a Palm and a travel cable and DE9-DB252 adapter and run
 a VT100 app and blow chars at the DB25 port...

  - Is there a way to print a test page w/o pluging
into a computer? 
 Does it not print a test page at power-on?  I think what my mom used
 to do at work was power hers on with the paper tray removed to _not_
 get a test print (and waste the paper).

The test page is controlled by a PostScript variable which can be  
programmed through either port. Apple OSs prior to X had a LaserWriter  
Utility in which you could control the test page. However be warned,  
LaserWriters can be password protected...

...
   - Can this be
interface to a straight PC?  If the DB-25 is RS-232, I'd
 assume so. 
 Yes, the DB25 is RS-232, but there may be a protocol issue there (raw
 ASCII vs PS). 
You can run either PS or Diablo 630 emulation from a windoze box on the  
RS-232 port. '95 and later have PS drivers for the box.

...

  - Is toner readily available? 
 Yes, same toner as used in the HP LJ 1, 2, 3 as well as Apple
 LaserWriter, Plus, SC, II, IInt (and all the other printers based on  
 the
 Canon SX engine). Last time I bought one, they were going for around  
 $45
 for a 6000 page cart. 
The Plus uses a Canon CX engine. The toner is getting harder to find.

My recommendation would be to skip this one. Although a true "Classic"  
the pickup rollers are probably goo by now and a true bitch to replace,  
let alone find. If you go this route, ensure you find another one for  
parts. In Apple land I would look for a LaserWriter II NT, NTX, or g.  
All are PS printers, use the SX engine for which need parts are still  
available and are supported on the Dark Side. The NT and NTX are  
supported over RS232 (slow) while the g is LAN capable. (Besides I have  
a superfulous redundancy of parts available to help out...)

CRC