[comp.sys.mac.apps] Pagemaker Printing Problems

skippy@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Ian Chesterton) (05/09/91)

Hi All,
   This is a question to you Pagemaker users out there.  We are using
   PM 4.0 on a Mac IIcx hooked up to an Nec Model 90 Silentwriter.
   We have frequent problems printing out more than 4-6 pages at a time,
   especially when we are doing spot overlays of all colors.  The problem
   is that when it prints, after a while it just goes blank (i.e, loses
   what it is supposed to be printing).  

   Is this a problem with a non-Apple driver?  Has anyone else had this
   problem?  Any suggestions to deal with it?  I'd be most greatful for
   any assistance in the matter.

--- Ian ---
ps. has anyone experienced problems with the 4.01 upgrade?

skippy@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Ian Chesterton) (05/12/91)

Hi All,
   This is a question to you Pagemaker users out there.  We are using
   PM 4.0 on a Mac IIcx hooked up to an Nec Model 90 Silentwriter.
   We have frequent problems printing out more than 4-6 pages at a time,
   especially when we are doing spot overlays of all colors.  The problem
   is that when it prints, after a while it just goes blank (i.e, loses
   what it is supposed to be printing).

   Is this a problem with a non-Apple driver?  Has anyone else had this
   problem?  Any suggestions to deal with it?  I'd be most greatful for
   any assistance in the matter.

   --- Ian ---
   ps. has anyone experienced problems with the 4.01 upgrade?

steve@violet.berkeley.edu (Steve Goldfield;232HMB;3-6292;;MF62) (05/18/91)

In article <8352@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> skippy@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Ian Chesterton) writes:
#>Hi All,
#>   This is a question to you Pagemaker users out there.  We are using
#>   PM 4.0 on a Mac IIcx hooked up to an Nec Model 90 Silentwriter.
#>   We have frequent problems printing out more than 4-6 pages at a time,
#>   especially when we are doing spot overlays of all colors.  The problem
#>   is that when it prints, after a while it just goes blank (i.e, loses
#>   what it is supposed to be printing).
#>
#>   Is this a problem with a non-Apple driver?  Has anyone else had this
#>   problem?  Any suggestions to deal with it?  I'd be most greatful for
#>   any assistance in the matter.
#>
#>   --- Ian ---
#>   ps. has anyone experienced problems with the 4.01 upgrade?

I've seen something similar, trying to print a large file
via SuperLaserSpool. PageMaker also sometimes loses track
when it is printing large files, and you have to print in
segments. Though I'm sure there are other netters who know
a lot more about how the Mac prints than I do, the problem
is that you are transferring very large amounts of information
from a computer with, in principle, limited memory and storage
to a printer with limited memory and storage. In theory,
the handshaking should be able to take care of it, but in
practice there appear to be problems.

Symptoms of these problems vary. When PageMaker loses track,
it usually sends you a message so informing you. When
SuperLaserSpool is overwhelmed, it doesn't print anything
and sends no message. I've had PageMaker print just the
master page information or the master page information and
a heading but leave out the rest of what was on the page.

The Aldus printer driver is unfortunately one of the weaker
parts of PageMaker. Unfortunately, it's necessary if you
want to print things like reversal. And I don't think 4.0
gives you the choice as 3.0 did.

Steve Goldfield