sutter@skat.usc.edu (Carl Sutter) (08/15/89)
After having limited success connecting an Apple LaserWriter Plus to the cube, I'd like to see if anyone else has this working well. I have a null modem cable attached to the Serial A port, and actually had it printing up to two or so pages at one time. Does anyone have a step-by-step set of instructions, or at least some things to look out for? Will I be able to print WriteNow pages that contain graphics? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Carl F. Sutter sutter@skat.usc.edu SUTTER@USCVM (213) 743-3826
fqoj@vax5.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (08/17/89)
In article <19171@usc.edu> sutter@skat.usc.edu () writes: > > After having limited success connecting an Apple LaserWriter Plus to >the cube, I'd like to see if anyone else has this working well. I have a >null modem cable attached to the Serial A port, and actually had it printing >up to two or so pages at one time. Does anyone have a step-by-step set of >instructions, or at least some things to look out for? Will I be able to >print WriteNow pages that contain graphics? Any help would be greatly >appreciated. > >Carl F. Sutter sutter@skat.usc.edu SUTTER@USCVM (213) 743-3826 Carl, sorry to be so late in getting this to you, but I've been on vacation. Also, if anyone has additions to this, feel free to pass them on (please, don't be bashfull, the first time is always the hardest), but don't flame. This works for us: 1) Using the file /etc/printcap, find the lines that start with "LaserWriter|lw" these lines specify the drivers and the directories for Apple's LW printers. 2) You have a choice, you can make the directories listed after "sd" (spool) and "lf" (log), or use an editor, change them, and make those you prefer. Either way, you must make the directories owned and grouped by "daemon: For us, we used what was there: a) su to root b) mkdir /usr/spool/lw c) touch /usr/adm/lw-log d) chown daemon /usr/spool/lw e) chgrp daemon /usr/spool/lw f) chmod 770 /usr/spool/lw 3) Now, set the serial port on the LW to 9600 with the switch on the side of the LW. You need a small screw-driver (probably could use one after this! :-) ) 4) Using an ImageWriter II cable (a null-modem), run the cable from the NeXT's serial A port to the 9-pin serial port on the LW. 5) Now, if you're stand-alone, load the /etc/printcap file into the "." netinfo domain. If networked, use the NetLaserWriter:netlw entry instead of the one described above (you'll have to add the file hosts.lpd to the print-slave NeXT with all the hosts you want to be able to print to the LW. We used a stand-alone: niload printcap . < /etc/printcap 6) Simple: reboot NeXT, turn on LW More difficult, restart /usr/lib/lpd, restart /usr/lib/NextPrinter /npd, restart lw using lpc (get all that!)...yea, try the simple way. 7) Any more Qs? (can't understand why, the NeXT was supposed to be for NON-unix heads...just kidding, I love the machine!) just drop mail. For folks who don't know, Carl Sutter was a GREAT PC maven here at Cornell University 'til the beaches grabed him at USC. The fact that he's going as far as he is with the platform speaks something for how broad the machine's appeal is to NON-traditional workstation people and environments. Roger Jagoda FQOJ@CORNELLA FQOJ@CORNELLA.CIT.CORNELL.EDU