[comp.lang.postscript] Adobe Postscript Cartridge/LJ II: Mac printing problems

mathmyka@cosmo.UUCP (Mathias Myka) (10/10/90)

I have recently acquired an Adobe PostScript Cartridge for the
HP LaserJet II. While this combination works fine in connection
with a PC-compatible computer, I have problems in connecting the
printer to my Macintosh II cx.

The setup I am using is as follows:
- Apple's Asynchronous LaserWriter Driver 4.0
- System 6.0.4
- Cable with TxD, RxD and HskO (to printer DSR/CTS) connected,
  attached to the Mac's modem port
- Printer set to 9600 Baud, 8 databits, no parity,
  1 stop bit

This configuration was successfully tested with a
LaserWriter II NTX (with two stop bits, of course),
configured with its 25-pin connector as input. However,
it does not run with the HP LaserJet II.

I _am_ able to talk to the LaserJet II printer through a terminal
emulation program; e.g., PostScript's executive mode works
flawlessly.

The problem seems to be the LaserWriter Driver; the Driver is
obviously able to establish an initial connection to the
printer (commands in the file "Direct.ACL"). After processing
the ACL commands (Exit 0), the driver sends the sequence
<Ctrl-D> <Ctrl-T> with a very short pause between the two
characters. Since the LaserJet isn't very fast, it possibly
doesn't recognize the <Ctrl-T> status request and never sends an
answer. As a result I get the following message on the screen:
"status: connection unsuccessful - LaserWriter not responding".
Observation: After a <Ctrl-D> is sent, it can take up to 6 seconds
until the printer returns to the idle state.

The specific questions I have (other than: "how can I make it
work ?") are:

a) how can the Asynchronous LaserWriter Driver be changed
   to either make a longer pause between <Ctrl-D> and <Ctrl-T>
   or not send the <Ctrl-D> at all (this is already done in
   the ACL file, and therefore not necessary) ?

b) am I using the latest version of the Asynchronous LW driver; is
   there a newer version that contains a fix for this problem ?

Thanks for any help !

- Mathias Myka
  Memmingen, Federal Republic of Germany
  E-Mail: ...!unido!cosmo!mathmyka (mathmyka@cosmo.UUCP)
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