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Jessica Loy

Q: Laserwriter select

I have an old laserwriter select. I also have a new iMac running OS 10.5.6. Can I download a driver to allow the laserwriter to work on the iMac and if so, where do I find the drivers?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jun 10, 2009 10:18 AM

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Q: Laserwriter select

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 10, 2009 5:44 PM in response to Jessica Loy
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 10, 2009 5:44 PM in response to Jessica Loy
    These are Postscript level 2 printers that do not support LPR/LPD. All these printers are LocalTalk printers. Except for those marked (Ethernet) they also need a converter (aka Bridge) from AppleTalk-over-Ethernet to AppleTalk/LocalTalk to print from Macs newer than the Beige G3 and with Mac OS X. Once the converter is in place, the Driver is already installed in Mac OS X, and is very difficult to remove.

    Personal LaserWriter NTR
    Personal LaserWriter 320
    LaserWriter Select 360
    LaserWriter 4/600 PS

    LaserWriter IIf
    LaserWriter IIg (Ethernet)
    LaserWriter Pro 600
    LaserWriter Pro 630 (Ethernet)
  • by Jessica Loy,

    Jessica Loy Jessica Loy Jun 10, 2009 6:07 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jun 10, 2009 6:07 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    I have an asante talk, is that what you mean by a bridge?
  • by Gil Ramirez,

    Gil Ramirez Gil Ramirez Jun 10, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Jessica Loy
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Jun 10, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Jessica Loy
    Hi Jessica,

    It's funny you should bring this topic up. My brother just came home from college and needed his computer (a MacBook Pro, OS X 10.5) set up for my LaserWriter Select. The drivers are built in to OS X 10.5, however, my printer is set up with LPD via a Mac running a print server program. When I tried to have the computer connect via LocalTalk, it did not see the printer.

    I'm not sure if it will work in your case, since I've never used an AsanteTalk. All I know is that OS X mainly uses AppleTalk over TCP/IP, as opposed to true AppleTalk. So since your AsanteTalk is an Ethernet device, I would assume that it would work just fine.

    I'd be curious to know what your results are! Hope this helps!
    -Gil Ramirez
  • by Jessica Loy,

    Jessica Loy Jessica Loy Jun 10, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Gil Ramirez
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jun 10, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Gil Ramirez
    I will try the Asante Talk tomorrow and let you know the results. In the mean time maybe other posts will shed more light on the topic. The laserwriter is a great workhorse. I want to keep using it as long as possible!
  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 11, 2009 10:43 AM in response to Jessica Loy
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 11, 2009 10:43 AM in response to Jessica Loy
    Yes, the Asantetalk and Farallon EtherMac iPrint LT are the two most common Bridge devices.

    The AsanteTalk does not re-acquire printers that drop out for any reason, so when experimenting, you must power up the Asantetalk LAST--after all other devices are up and operational, and the printer lights have stopped blinking.

    Make sure AppleTalk is turned on for the port you use to eventually connect to the printer. You can run a cable from your Router to the AsanteTalk to access the printer from all your Macs. If you are connecting the AsanteTalk directly to your computer's Ethernet port, but not using the Ethernet port for connecting to the Internet, the port must still have an Ethernet address (assign one manually).

    Use System Preferences > Print and Fax
    and click on the plus sign to add a new Printer. It is an Appletalk printer, and if it is cabled correctly and ready, it should appear in under a quarter minute. It is NOT capable of LPR printing, so be careful not to designate it as an LPR printer-- that will not work.
  • by lenny1957,

    lenny1957 lenny1957 Jul 10, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 10, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    I have a LW Select 360 which had been collecting dust for years. I recently connected it to my network with a Netgear Print srever "PS101". It works great and I'm thrilled to that this great old work horse printer back in service.
    My question is, if i upgrade to a G5 and Leapord will i have any issues that i dont have now? Will i be able to find a driver on Leopard or Snow Leopard?
    I also have the same issue as some others have stated, I can not stop the "test page" when i turn the printer on.
  • by Appaloosa mac man,

    Appaloosa mac man Appaloosa mac man Jul 21, 2009 12:22 AM in response to lenny1957
    Level 5 (4,330 points)
    Jul 21, 2009 12:22 AM in response to lenny1957
    lenny,

    The start up page is managed by some old classic software. The easiest way to turn off the startup page is to connect the printer to an old computer. Find the "Laserwriter namer" or "Laserwriter Utility" software that came with most older models. That will talk to the printer and give you options.

    Jim
  • by Gil Ramirez,

    Gil Ramirez Gil Ramirez Jul 22, 2009 6:11 PM in response to Appaloosa mac man
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Jul 22, 2009 6:11 PM in response to Appaloosa mac man
    It's called Apple Printer Utility, and is available for download at http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html

    However, you still need an old Mac to run it.