ahlenius@motcid.UUCP (Mark Ahlenius) (12/18/90)
Has anyone successfully connected an Apple LaserWriter NT to an 88k-based Motorola Delta box using a serial port (P2)? We have tried doing this via a serial port (P2) on the processor card set to the printer. We have the printer configured properly at 9600 baud using XON/XOFF control, and have set up the serial p2 port (/dev/contty) for 7 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, etc. I have tried using a break out box to monitor the serial port signals. We are just using pins 2,3, and 7 to the laser printer, and have wired the P2 port's pins 8 & 20 together (also have tried tying 4->5 too). We have also tried flipping pins 2->3 as well. When we spool a job to the printer, the delta box seems to think it went ok, but no activity occurs on the Laser Writer's status leds. Other people I have talked with have connected such printers to their machines - but only on a network and not with a serial port. Any hints/help would be appreciated. thanks email prefered. 'mark -- =============== regards 'mark ============================================= Mark Ahlenius voice:(708)-632-5346 email: uunet!motcid!ahleniusm Motorola Inc. fax: (708)-632-2413 Arlington, Hts. IL, USA 60004
tim@MISMPC..uucp (Tim Dawson) (12/20/90)
ahlenius@motcid.UUCP (Mark Ahlenius) writes: >Has anyone successfully connected an Apple LaserWriter NT >to an 88k-based Motorola Delta box using a serial port (P2)? >We have tried doing >this via a serial port (P2) on the processor card set to >the printer. >We have the printer configured properly at 9600 baud using >XON/XOFF control, and have set up the serial p2 port >(/dev/contty) for 7 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, >etc. >I have tried using a break out box to monitor the serial >port signals. We are just using pins 2,3, and 7 to the >laser printer, and have wired the P2 port's pins 8 & 20 >together (also have tried tying 4->5 too). We have also >tried flipping pins 2->3 as well. Well, I think the problem might be that Motorola serial ports are set up as DTE - you need a null modem cable to connect to a terminal or printer. What I suspect is happening is that since you have 8/20 tied, the system thinks the device is there, but since 2/3 are not crossed, the data is not getting to the printer and the flow characters are not getting back. The standard pinout (as per my Moto manuals) for a terminal/printer cable is as follows: CPU REMOTE === ===== 1 1 2 3 3 2 7 7 8 20 20 8 And pins 4,5, and 6 are tied together on both ends of the cable. Also, keep in mind that if you have a service contract on this system, the internal 2400 baud modem (supplied to you as part of the contract package) sits on this port and could also be giving you trouble. -- ================================================================================ Tim Dawson (...!texsun!Athena!MIS1!tim) Unix Systems Administrator Motorola Computer Systems - MIS 1701 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch TX. 75234