TITLE
    ImageWriter Family & Scribe: Connecting To An IBM PC, PS/2, AT&T
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		752
1/6/88
10/1/98
TOPIC

    What are the cable and printer configurations that will interface an IBM PC, PS/2, AT&T 6300 or other IBM compatible to an ImageWriter I, ImageWriter 15", ImageWriter II, LQ or Scribe printer.

DISCUSSION

    Cabling pinouts for a custom cable:
    IBM PC
    (use female DB-25)
    ImageWriter II or ImageWriter LQ
    (use circular 8 connector)
    5,6 (CTS, DSR)
    1 (DTR)
    20 (DTR)
    2 (DSR)
    3 (RxD-)
    3 (TxD-)
    7 (SG)
    4,8 (SG, RxD+)
    2 (TxD-)
    5 (RxD-)
    IBM PC
    (use female DB-25)
    ImageWriter/15"/Scribe
    (use male DB-25)
    3 (RxD-)
    2 (TxD-)
    2 (TxD-)
    3 (RxD-)
    5 (CTS)
    4 (RTS)
    7 (SG)
    7 (SG)
    6 (DSR)
    20 (DTR)

    Reference: RS232 Signal (DB-25 DTE)
    1
    Sig Gnd
    		Normally Shield or Chassis Ground
    2
    TXD
    		Transmit Data
    3
    RXD
    		Receive Data
    4
    RTS
    		Request to Send
    5
    CTS
    		Clear to Send
    6
    DSR
    		Data Set
    7
    GND
    		SIGNAL Ground
    8
    DCD
    		Data Carrier Detect
    20
    DTR
    		Data Terminal Ready
    22
    RI
    		Ring Indicate

    Set printer switches to the following settings for this configuration:

    - U.S. Character set
    - 66 lines per page
    - 8 data bits (1 stop bit, no parity)
    - pica character pitch
    - no LF after CR
    - 9600 Baud
    - Data Terminal Ready Protocol


    ImageWriter I Switch Settings:

    Switch 1
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    Closed (On)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Open (Off)
    X
    x
    x
    x
    X
    x
    x
    x

    Switch 2
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    Closed (On)
    x
    x
    -
    Open (Off)
    -
    -
    X

    ImageWriter II Switch Settings:

    Switch 1
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    Closed (On)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Open (Off)
    X
    x
    x
    x
    X
    x
    x
    x

    Switch 2
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5*
    6*
    Closed (On)
    X
    x
    -
    -
    Open (Off)
    -
    -
    X
    X

    * NOTE: DO NOT CHANGE SWITCH 5 AND 6.


    ImageWriter LQ Switch Settings:

    Switch1
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    Closed (On)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Open (Off)
    X
    x
    x
    x
    X
    x
    x
    x

    Switch2
    Position
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    Closed (On)
    X
    x
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Open (Off)
    -
    -
    X
    X
    X
    x
    X
    x

    Switch 3: DO NOT TOUCH!


    Finally, configure the serial port of the computer to match the printer configurations as above and assign the port to LPT1 by running this autoexec program:

    mode COM1:96,N,8,1,P
    mode LPT1:=com1

    Software Drivers

    These Apple printers were designed for use with Apple II and Macintosh computers, and contain many useful design features accessible only by those systems. Some of the printers have some similarity in design with printers that were designed, tested, and sold for PC users. Therefore, there is a remote possibility that PC drivers may control some of the functions on these printers. We have no knowledge which drivers may or may not work. If you wish to pursue this, some starting points:
    Printer
    PC Driver
    ImageWriter II Epson FX or similar driver
    StyleWriter Canon BJ-20
    StyleWriter II Canon BJ-200 (possibly also the BJ-200e)
    Color StyleWriter (early models) Canon Color BJ-600

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