TITLE
    LaserWriter II: Connecting an MS-DOS Computer
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		1935
1/15/88
9/15/97
TOPIC

    When you configure the DIP switches (or push-button switch) of a LaserWriter II series printer for the appropriate communication channels, default parameters are also set for baud rate, parity, and data/stop bits.

DISCUSSION



    For example:

    On the LaserWriter IINT, setting switch 1 up and switch 2 down configures both serial ports to the PostScript batch mode at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, ignore parity, and XON/XOFF.

    The MS-DOS computer must be configured to match the LaserWriter's communication parameters. Type these
    two MS-DOS commands to set baud to 9600, parity none, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit:

    MODE COM1:96,N,8,1,P

    MODE LPT1:=COM1

    These commands, vary depending on the current settings of the LaserWriter with which the computer will be communicating. They must be updated each time the LaserWriter parameters are changed.

    Handshaking must also match; MS-DOS computers typically use DSR/DTR -- the LaserWriter defaults to XON/XOFF. Some MS-DOS applications allow you to change the handshake protocol; if not, you will have to configure the printer to conform to the computer's handshake.


    On the LaserWriter IINTX, handshaking is controlled by switches 5 and 6; setting switch 5 up and switch 6 down configures the printer to use DSR/DTR.

    It is possible to override these settings through a PostScript program.

    On the LaserWriter IINT, handshaking must be configured by sending a PostScript program for changing parameters with options encoded for the appropriate values for the compatible handshake method. To set the DB-25
    port for communication at 9600 baud and with DTR handshaking on the LaserWriter, send this PostScript program:

    serverdict begin 0 exitserver

    statusdict begin

    25 9600 4 setsccbatch

    end

    On the Laserwriter IIf and IIg, these settings are adjusted with a push-button switch, not with DIP switches. The switch setting configurations are documented in the following table


    Switch setting Mode Baud Data Stop Parity Handshaking

    0 Postscript 9600 8 1 N XON

    1 HP PCL4 9600 8 1 N DTR

    2 Postscript 19200 8 1 N XON

    3 <inactive>

    4 Postscript 1200 7 1 N XON

    5 Postscript 9600 8 1 N XON

    6 Postscript 19200 8 1 N XON

    7 Postscript 1200 8 1 N DTR

    8 HP PCL4 1200 8 1 N XON

    9 Postscript* 9600 8 1 N XON



    *switch setting 9 sets printer to postscript binary


    More information on changing parameters on the LaserWriters can be found in current Apple LaserWriter Reference manuals, and current PostScript Language Reference Manuals. See the manuals that came with your MS-DOS computer for more information on communication configuration.


Copyright © 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.