Laserwriter II NTX driver for OS X

Question

Laserwriter II NTX driver for OS X

Does anyone out there have a driver for the venerable Apple Laserwriter II NTX for OS X (10.3 or possibly 10.4)? I have tried everything from using all of Canon's drivers (Canon Engine is in the NTX) and all of Apple's but non seem to be specific for the NTX and I cannot print (only can print in OS 9).

Thanks John Kimber

Posted on Oct 24, 2005 1:13 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Henry B.

Level 9

78,713 points

Oct 24, 2005 8:32 AM in response to Robert John Kimber

You need to use this driver - it is the only way to use an old Postscript Level 1 printer on a Mac:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/pslevel1/

The IINTX must be connected to the Mac via a Localtalk-to-ethernet adapter, like the Asante "AsanteTalk".

Another option - buy the logic board for a Laserwriter IIg on EBay, and slip it in as a replacement for the existing IINTX logic board. That gets you a far better printer with a faster processor, more memory, and Postscript Level 2 support - allowing you to use the printer drivers built into all versions of OS X for the IIg.

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Answer 2

Oct 25, 2005 12:13 AM in response to Henry B.

Thank you Henry B. I have dowloaded the linux driver and emulator. I do have the AsantiTalk converter whiich I have been using successfully on OS 9 for the ethernet connections An aside for information only, in OS 9 the printer works fine on 10/100 switches and hubs but not on a gigabyte switch.

I will install the packages and give it a try. Your suggestion of obtaining a LW IIIG logic board on EBay sounds intriguing (of course depending on the cost). If I do this, I may need some suggestions on how to "slip in" (and exchange) the logic board. The NTX is just too good a printer to throw away and besides it is SOLID and heavy. John K

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2005 5:03 AM in response to Robert John Kimber

Even if you get the printer to work, many applications won't talk to Level 1 postscript.

I got a completely loaded (32MB of RAM) LWIIg board for my LWIInt about 6 years ago for $50 on eBay, that included shipping. It has worked great. I use it on a network with two Macs and two Windows machines.

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Answer 4

Oct 25, 2005 6:37 AM in response to Robert John Kimber

"... but not on a gigabyte switch. "

I have mine on a Gateway Gigabyte switch, and it works fine (but at 10 base T speeds, of course). Is it possible your switch does not support the transfer of AppleTalk [over EtherNet] packets? Some wireless switches from PC-centric companies do not support AppleTalk packets.

The logic board swap is pretty simple, except the clearance to the worksurface is tight, so do not try to slide in the board with the printer sitting on the floor. Get it up on a table where you can see it, and consider tilting it or lifting it up on blocks while you insert the new board.

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Answer 5

Oct 25, 2005 1:44 PM in response to Robert John Kimber

If you get a IIg board you will also need an AAUI to 10baseT adapter and will not need your AsanteTalk which you could sell for more than the price of a IIg board. If you want to keep you AsanteTalk you can get a much cheaper IIf board as a replacement for the IINTX board.

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Answer 6

Oct 26, 2005 7:11 PM in response to William White1

Thank you William. I downloaded the unix driver for the NTX and it is working "fine." However, if I run into certain programs that will not print I will certainly try the LWIIf logic board purchase. Again, thank you. John

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