This article describes compatibility between Mac OS 8 (and later) and the PostScript Fax option.

Apple discontinued PostScript Fax development and does not plan to incorporate Fax capabilities in future versions of Macintosh or PC LaserWriter drivers.

The LaserWriter driver that ships with Mac OS 8 does not support faxing documents through PostScript Fax equipped printers, including the LaserWriter 16/600 PS Fax, the LaserWriter Select 360f and LaserWriter Pro 810f. Customers who wish to fax through these PostScript Fax capable LaserWriters from their Macintosh computers running Mac OS 8 may wish to use LaserWriter 8.2.3f. LaserWriter 8.2.3f, the most recent full featured PostScript Fax LaserWriter driver, is many years old. Though this driver has not been tested with Mac OS 8, if properly installed and configured as described below, it may work in your environment.

However, you should use the latest versions of LaserWriter software available for your normal printing. The latest version contains all the latest bug fixes, was thoroughly tested with the current Mac OS, with many popular applications, and with different Macintosh computers. However, when you wish to transmit the occasional fax, then you may wish to attempt to use LaserWriter 8.2.3f.

Two possible, albeit untested and unsupported, options may be to use either LaserWriter 8.2.3f or LaserWriter 8.3.4. Use them with the newer PPDs that ships with Mac OS 8.

Using LaserWriter 8.2.3f under Mac OS 8:

Again, LaserWriter 8.2.3f was only superficially tested with Mac OS 8 so proceed at your own risk.

• Remember to not use the LaserWriter 8.2.3f Installer but instead copy the LaserWriter 8.2.3f driver itself to your Mac OS 8 System Folder where it will be placed in the Extensions folder. The currently shipping printers' PPD files may be used with these old drivers.
• To print using LaserWriter 8.2.3f, open the Chooser, select Chooser Setup and set Background Printing to Off.
• Close the Chooser.

Note: No Desktop Printer Icon will appear on your desktop; nevertheless, print jobs will be processed by the LaserWriter driver selected via the Chooser.

When you have completed faxing with LW 8.2.3f, select your printer through the Chooser or highlight the printer's Desktop Printer icon and choose "Set default printer" from the Printing menu.

To once again select then Fax with LW 8.2.3f, reselect it through the Chooser.

Using LaserWriter 8.3.4 under Mac OS 8:

You may be able to use LaserWriter 8.3.4 (again not tested) installed and configured as described above for LW 8.2.3f. LaserWriter 8.3.4 requires you to enter your fax destination: LW 8.3.4 will remember the last phone number you faxed to, but if you wish to fax to a different destination you'll need to enter the new number.

Whereas LaserWriter 8.2.3f provides access to the Fax Phone Book to store your fax destination phone numbers. The LaserWriter Fax Log too may be used in conjuction with LW 8.2.3f. However, the Fax Printer Utility is not compatible.

These articles can help you locate the software update mentioned here:

• Article 14724: " Where To Find Apple Software Updates " - Lists online services for free Apple software updates.