TITLE
    LaserWriter 8.6: HP LaserJet Reporting 40 MIO ERROR
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		30874
12/14/98
6/16/99
TOPIC

    I am having difficulties printing from LaserWriter 8, version 8.6, to an HP LaserJet 4M Plus. The print job is transmitted and printed, then an error appears on the printer's LCD panel that reads "40 MIO ERROR". After this, the printer will not print another job until the printer is reset or powered off and back on.

DISCUSSION

    The networking code that LaserWriter 8, version 8.6 uses is not fully compatible with the HP LaserJet 4M Plus printer. This issue does not occur when using LaserWriter 8.6.5, part of Mac OS 8.6.

    When printing to the HP LaserJet 4M Plus, using LaserWriter 8.6, the HP LaserJet 4M Plus will display a "40 MIO ERROR" indicating a "modular I/O card" error (a protocol error or an abnormal connection break occurred).

    This communication problem can effect other functions besides printing documents, such as using the Chooser to Create, Setup, or Auto Setup the HP LaserJet 4M Plus.

    It is possible to configure the printer so it will recover automatically when it encounters this connection problem. Then you will not have to manually reset or power off/on the printer between each job.

    This is done via the printer's control panel buttons: set AUTO CONT=ON* (an option in the printer's CONFIG MENU). Thereafter, when a communication error occurs, the printer will print and timeout the job as before. It will then display the 40 MIO ERROR, but after 5 to 10 seconds the printer will reset the connection automatically. The error message will go away, and the printer will process the next job transmitted to it.

    Note: After setting AUTO CONT=ON*, and the job is transmitted to the printer, the printer will take two minutes before timing out. To avoid this delay entirely, install, then use LaserWriter 8.5.1 instead of LaserWriter 8.6, when printing to the HP LaserJet 4M Plus, or update to Mac OS 8.6.

    To install LaserWriter 8.5.1 follow the steps listed below:

    1. Download the six LaserWriter 8.5.1 disk images from Apple's Software Updates ( http://asu.info.apple.com/ ).

    2. Mount the six LW_8.5.1 images, review the Before You Install Read Me on disk 1, then launch the Installer on disk 1.

    3. A splash screen is displayed that reads Apple LaserWriter 8.5.1 Installer. Click Continue.

    4. When the Software License Agreement is displayed, click Agree, if you agree with the terms of the license agreement.

    5. The window titled Installer Script provides you the option to select a destination disk to install this software. Verify which disk you wish to install LaserWriter 8.5.1 onto.

    6. In the Installer Script window are the options; Easy Install, Custom Install or Custom Remove; select Custom Install.

    6. Check the radio button next to "Printer Software for all Mac OS Computers."

    7. The installer will compare the printing software already present on your hard drive (presumably LW 8.6) with the version you are about to install (LW 8.5.1) and will display many alerts that read: "The file 'XXX XXX' already on 'your HD' is newer than what you are about to install. Click Newer to keep the newer file, Older to replace that file, or Cancel to stop the installation."
      - When the alert references the file 'LaserWriter 8': click Older.

      - When the alert references the file 'PrintingLib', click Older.

      - Click Newer when the alert references: Printer Selector, Desktop Printer Spooler, or Desktop PrintMonitor.

    8. Once the Installation of LaserWriter 8.5.1 is complete, you'll be asked to restart your Macintosh.

    9. The LaserWriter 8 driver uses PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files to determine your PostScript printers' characteristics such as paper-handling capabilities, the number of paper trays and capacity, the paper sizes they handle, and so on.

    Therefore, you may wish to copy the specific PPD of your HP LaserJet 4M Plus to the Printer Description folder (located in the Extensions folder inside the System Folder), prior to choosing and setting up your printer with the Chooser.

    The PPD for your HP printer may be obtained from the software that accompanied your printer or the newest version may be obtain from HP. Should you not have the specific PPD for your HP LaserJet 4M Plus, you may use the generic PPD.

    After installing LaserWriter 8.5.1 then selecting your printer via the Chooser, you should be able to print to your HP LaserJet 4M Plus and avoid encountering the MIO 40 Error.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software; Printers
Category: Printer Software
Sub Category: LaserWriter

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