Alain P

Q: Imagewriter II and Lion.

Hello,

 

I used to print with my old Apple Imagewriter II from my Mac Mini (PowerPC, Tiger) and my MacBook Pro (Intel, Snow Leopard) thanks to a Keyspan serial adapter and Linux softwares.

 

I recently bought a new MacBook Pro under Lion and I can't execute the Linux software available at this link :

 

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosximagewr iter

 

I am looking for an help.

 

Thank you.

 

Alain

Imagewriter II, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Apr 28, 2012 11:43 PM

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Q: Imagewriter II and Lion.

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  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 15, 2014 10:26 AM in response to John Galt
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    Feb 15, 2014 10:26 AM in response to John Galt

    It doesn't do the continuous back and forth with the serial cable unplugged.  It just does the normal "home" of the print head.  For some reason, I originally thought you meant to unplug the serial cable and plug it back in and give it another try. 

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Feb 15, 2014 10:35 AM in response to TODD_K
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 15, 2014 10:35 AM in response to TODD_K

    Good. And the self-test still works?

     

    Hopefully a correct cable will be all you need to get it working.

  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 15, 2014 10:48 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 15, 2014 10:48 AM in response to John Galt

    Self-Test is working just fine.  Thanks

  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 24, 2014 8:32 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 24, 2014 8:32 PM in response to John Galt

    John,

    My cable arrived today and I am definitely almost there.  The computer is now communicating with the printer.  It actually prints the file that I send from Simple Text.  No more back and forth print head movement when the printer is turned on.

     

    The only issues that I am having now are:

     

    1. The printer is going over each line twice, so the text is extra dark.

    2. The printer is splitting some lines of text horizontally right through the characters.

     

    Take a look...

    I'm hoping this is a minor issue.

    Thanks again for all your help!

    Todd

     

    PRINT_TEST_02.jpg

  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 24, 2014 9:09 PM in response to TODD_K
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 24, 2014 9:09 PM in response to TODD_K

    I did one more test with a bitmap graphics image saved as a PDF.  This is the print followed by the original image.  On a side note from these remaining printing issues, what is the maximum number of horizontal pixels and the maximum number of characters per line that the Imagewriter 1 can print?  Thanks!

     

    Todd

     

    GRAPHICS_TEST.jpg

     

    TEST_4626.jpg

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Feb 25, 2014 11:02 AM in response to TODD_K
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 25, 2014 11:02 AM in response to TODD_K

    It looks like any communications problems are solved.

     

    Turn off the ImageWriter, open DIP switch 2 - 8 (flip it up) then turn it on again. The extra line feeds will cease.

     

    Pixels per inch is 72, but characters per line isn't really a factor any more unless you are sending ASCII character data and using the ImageWriter's ROM character set, which we aren't doing here. If we were, one could choose from a number of different character sets ranging from the smallest, 17 characters per inch to the largest, 9 cpi. To do that you'd be using using a program intended to access the USB to serial converter directly which would bypass the raster generator and all its inconvenience.

     

    The Mac has strictly been a bitmapped machine since its inception, but earlier, "classic Mac" OS versions had the ability to specify draft output to the ImageWriter for purposes of text-only output. That would cause it to print ASCII characters from its ROM. It was kind of a mess since extra spaces had to be inserted between words to make each line have contain the same number of words as you saw on the screen. If you really want to print ASCII letters and numbers you'll have to send character data using Terminal or a terminal emulator, or write a program to do it.

  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 25, 2014 11:07 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2014 11:07 AM in response to John Galt

    Great! I'll give this a whirl when I get home.

     

    Is there any way to stop the printer from making two passes on each line that it prints?  This double pass causes the text or image to look a bit messy or blurry.

     

    Thanks, I really appreciate all the help and information!

    Todd

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Feb 25, 2014 11:24 AM in response to TODD_K
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 25, 2014 11:24 AM in response to TODD_K

    When you print a document look for a dropdown menu to select "Printer Features" and a resolution choice should appear. The one you are using is probably 144 dots per inch. Choose 72 dots per inch and see if it prints using only one pass instead of two.

     

    Choosing a different printer driver may also be instructive. Instead of "iwhi" choose a different one. When you do that, it may be less confusing to start by creating a brand new print queue instead of trying to change the existing one.

  • by TODD_K,

    TODD_K TODD_K Feb 25, 2014 9:08 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2014 9:08 PM in response to John Galt

    John,

    SUCCESS! THANK YOU for all your help!!

     

    Todd

     

    SUCCESS.jpg

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Feb 26, 2014 4:23 AM in response to TODD_K
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 26, 2014 4:23 AM in response to TODD_K

    thumbsup.gif

  • by JLModer2,

    JLModer2 JLModer2 Apr 27, 2014 10:18 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 27, 2014 10:18 AM in response to John Galt

    I came across this thread today when searching on how to make an IW II work with Mavericks.  Thanks all for the informaiton!

     

    I do have a couple questions:

     

    I am having a difficult time finding the USA-28X, I see on Amazon a 28-XG model, will this work?

     

    I use several other USB-serial adapters for various things.  One is a Keyspan 19HS, and another is a proliffic chipset built into a cable for a radio/computer interface.  The last time I "messed" with these drivers, etc. I was installing the updated driver to the 19, which somehow replaced the driver for the radio's USB adapater.  Is there a way to avoid this "Cross Contamination" as I spent a significant amount of time straightening that mess all out.

     

    Thanks in advance, it would be nice to use my IW again!

     

    John

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Apr 27, 2014 1:21 PM in response to JLModer2
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 27, 2014 1:21 PM in response to JLModer2

    JLModer2 wrote:

     

    I am having a difficult time finding the USA-28X, I see on Amazon a 28-XG model, will this work?

     

    Yes. The Keyspan / Tripp-Lite USA-28XG is the most recent model and will work. The only difference between the latest model and its predecessor USA-28XB is the addition of RoHS compliance. The USA-28XA was produced for only a short time and had a slower clock speed than the XB. All those hardware variants are otherwise interchangeable.

     

    Though it has now been discontinued, at the moment the driver for OS X "Mountain Lion" can still be downloaded from Tripp-Lite here: Driver for USA-28XG (Mac OS X 10.6.x to 10.8.x).

     

    It is a 64 bit driver and 100% compatible with Mavericks, though there is no guarantee it won't conflict with some other driver such as the one you used for the radio interface.

     

    Drivers for older Mac OS versions may be found on this page: http://www.tripplite.com/products/discontinued?fw1pk=2

     

    The original, USA-28 model used a different chipset, does not use the same driver, and I don't recommend it. The only similar current production unit is the USA-19HS, but it uses a DB9 connector. Some time ago I posted cable fabrication details for it elsewhere on this site, or you can probably find a suitable cable already made, but it's easier just to purchase a USA-28XG if you can find one.

     

    Another option for the ImageWriter is to use a serial print server, another subject altogether that I have not yet discussed on this site. It may be a more attractive solution in that it does not require installing any kernel extensions, which always raises the possibility of a conflict now or in the future.


  • by JLModer2,

    JLModer2 JLModer2 Apr 27, 2014 1:59 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 27, 2014 1:59 PM in response to John Galt

    Thanks John.

     

    So, tell me more about the Serial Print Server you speak of.  I would much prefer a way to put the IW on the network if that is a possibility.  The idea of not installing kernel extensions is very appealing as well.  What do you suggest for the box itself? 

     

    Thanks for all your advice!!

     

    John

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Apr 27, 2014 4:19 PM in response to JLModer2
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 27, 2014 4:19 PM in response to JLModer2

    This is one I have used: http://www.lantronix.com/it-management/print-servers/eps2-100.html

     

    There are others.

     

    The printer is added in the same manner as any other IP printer: OS X Mavericks: IP printer settings and can be available to any Mac on your network, wired or wireless.

     

    I also found a wireless serial device server that I had intended to turn the ImageWriter into a "wireless printer," but I haven't found the time to figure that out yet.


  • by JLModer2,

    JLModer2 JLModer2 Apr 27, 2014 5:13 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 27, 2014 5:13 PM in response to John Galt

    Thanks John.

     

    I'll try to get my hands on one.

     

    Is there any trick to building the cable then?  Does soemone make a 25pin-8pin din adpater or is it best to just hack one of my cables and put a 25 pin connector on it?  Pins?

     

    John

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