[comp.laser-printers] Using the LaserWriter II NT

Jerry_Hiniker@UM.CC.UMICH.EDU (06/13/88)

Does anyone have any experience using an Apple LaserWriter II NT (or
NTX) with a PC (or clone)?  There have been some problems reported with
this configuration, and I'd like to find out exactly what they are, how
(in)surmountable they might be, etc.  A recent (5/30/88) issue of
InfoWorld includes a product comparison of a number of PostScript
printers driven by IBM PCs.  The Laserwriter NT reportedly had enough
problems being driven by a PC that the testers had to "resort to using a
Macintosh".  We've had a year or so of very good experience using a
LaserWriter Plus with PC clone equipment, but these reports about
problems with the NT are giving us more than a little concern about
purchasing an NT or NTX as our next PostScript printer.
 
Any comments or leads here will be appreciated.

anderson@VMS.MACC.WISC.EDU (Jess Anderson) (06/29/88)

In article <8806281350.AA12108@brillig.umd.edu>, Jerry_Hiniker@UM.CC.UMICH.EDU writes...
 
]Does anyone have any experience using an Apple LaserWriter II NT (or
]NTX) with a PC (or clone)?  There have been some problems reported with
]this configuration, and I'd like to find out exactly what they are, how
](in)surmountable they might be, etc.  

I use an LW II NTX on my AT clone with no difficulty.  Hoork up serial
to serial with a null modem cable.  Use MODE to redirect LPT1 to COMx
and another mode to set comm parameters.  If I remember correctly
(I'm at home, not at work), the manual says N,8,1; should be N,7,1
as I recall.

==Jess Anderson======(home:)========INTERNET: anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu====
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hburford@enprt.Wichita.NCR.COM (Harry Burford) (06/30/88)

In article <8806281350.AA12108@brillig.umd.edu> Jerry_Hiniker@UM.CC.UMICH.EDU writes:
|>Does anyone have any experience using an Apple LaserWriter II NT (or
|>NTX) with a PC (or clone)?  There have been some problems reported with
|>this configuration, and I'd like to find out exactly what they are, how
|>(in)surmountable they might be, etc.  A recent (5/30/88) issue of
|>InfoWorld includes a product comparison of a number of PostScript
|>printers driven by IBM PCs.  The Laserwriter NT reportedly had enough
|>problems being driven by a PC that the testers had to "resort to using a
|>Macintosh".
|>Any comments or leads here will be appreciated.

I'm currently running a LaserWriter II NTX on my NCR PC-8 (AT clone) system
and it is working GREAT!   Lancaster demos, Ventura, Word, Windows, as well
as other output sources have worked fine.  The correct serial cable wireing
is a MUST for the printer to function.  Also, the PC will only run with
hardware handshake.   PostScript printers like the LWII normally default
to XON/XOFF and must be changed. 

A side note....   The printer contrast must be adjusted to about 8.5 or 9
in order to get correct gray.  Its interesting that in the HP LaserJet
Journal, March/April 88, where HP is promoting their JetScript controller,
they  inserted a sample output of the Lancaster cat graphic with 
incorrect grays.  The ears and eye brows were to be 60% and the bat was
to be a 75 line half tone.   They were all very black.   The LW II NTX 
uses the same print engine as the LJ II and will need adjustment for 
correct contrast.


-- 
Harry Burford - NCR E & M Wichita, Printer Engineering
PHONE:   316-636-8016                 Amateur Call:  KA0TTY
FAX:     316-636-8889
C-Serve: 76367,151                    Harry.Burford@Wichita.NCR.COM