Laserwriter 320 driver

That printer is a Postscript level 2 Printer that supports only AppleTalk/LocalTalk.

This article says that the latest driver for that printer is LaserWriter 8.7, which should have been installed as a Chooser Extension with your software. Most features will be available with any version of LaserWriter 8. It does not appear to be downloadable separately, but 8.6.1 is available on the Older Software downloads page.

30154- LaserWriter Printers: Mac OS Print Drivers and Cable Matrix

Like all LaserWriter drivers after about 8.3.4, this one uses a "Universal" LaserWriter Driver and a printer-specific feature-descriptor (PPD) file.

Open the AppleTalk control panel and make sure that AppleTalk is assigned to the port you are using to connect, typically the "Printer" serial port. If it is, try turning AppleTalk off and then back on.

Changes do not take effect until you close the Control panel and Save Changes.

That AppleTalk info is correct. You have no zones (except for the default zone referred to as * ) unless you have an Appletalk Router such as a Gatorbox.

The list of missing extensions is generated when you run Extensions Manager and its master list differs from what is actually installed. It says some version of LaserWriter 8 is not present (or not checked off) when it previously was present in the Extensions folder.

You need some version of LaserWriter 8, probably version 8.3.4 or later, in your Extensions folder. If you can find it on your Hard drive, you can move it back to the Extensions folder and use it without restarting. It may have been moved to the Extensions(disabled) folder -- that is where Extensions Manager puts things you uncheck.

Once you select a LaserWriter 8 Extension in the left panel of the Chooser, your printer's name should appear in the right panel without an icon. You will then have to configure it, either automatically or manually (or both) and it will get an Icon in front of its name and be fully useable. It may want to create a Desktop Printer instead -- which kind you use is entirely up to you for these printers.

LW300 is a completely different stand-alone driver. It cannot be used for your printer.

LaserWriter 8 should be in the Extensions Folder, where the Chooser can find it.

LaserWriter 8 is built differently from all previous versions. It can service almost every LaserWriter ever made. All it needs to talk to your Personal LaserWriter 320 is a small configuration file. This will usually be found in a Folder inside the Extensions folder named "Printer Extensions". The configuration file for your printer is probably named "LaserWriter Personal 320". Do not move this file out of the Printer descriptions folder -- it only a customization file, not a complete Driver, and LaserWriter 8 will not find it if you move it from its expected location.

Once you select a LaserWriter 8 Extension in the left panel of the Chooser, your printer's name should appear in the right panel of the Chooser -- provided it is properly cabled and powered on and can be found by AppleTalk/LocalTalk. The name presented will be the name provided by your Printer, but without an Icon because laserWriter 8 does not yet know what kind of printer it is.

Select that name in the right pane of the Chooser, and you should get a ( Configure ) button. You will then have to configure it, either automatically or manually (or both) and it will get an Icon in front of its name and be fully useable.

Depending on what extensions you have installed, it may produce a Chooser-only Printer or a Desktop Printer. Either is perfectly serviceable, and this choice can be changed later should you change your mind.

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

In the chooser when I select LW8 on the left, nothing appears in the right window

Then the printer is not being seen by your Mac. The name(s) presented in the right panel will be the name(s) provided by your Printer. Even printers of completely different types (not even supported by LaserWriter 8) will be listed in the right panel, provided they can be seen.

To be seen, your printer must be connected to your Mac's Printer serial port and Appletalk must be assigned to that port and active. Appletalk could be assigned to the wrong port or could be off.

It must be connected with the correct cable, such as a Printer-8 cable. It is very easy for the cable to become dislodged at either end, and yet appear to be fully seated in the connector. There are several different cables that look identical, but are wired differently. Did this exact cable work before? The Printer-8 cable is reversible. You may want to swap which end is plugged into which device to check that it is fully seated and as a check for quirky connector problems.

Many people have better luck with a pair of PhoneNet adapters, a 4-conductor Phone cord, and a terminator in the empty jack at each end. The PhoneNet solution can be extended up to 1,500 feet or more.

The Printer must be powered on and ready to print, not still working on its self-test or complaining about out-of-paper or have other error lights on.

The printer I had for my G4 died. To get another I'd have to go to the OS 10. I saw an ad for a G3 along with a laserwriter 320. The owner said she doesn't know where any of the disks are. They are living out of boxes. Is there someplace I could download drivers to install on my G4 to allow it to work with the LW320? Are there other means of making it compatible? One of your posts mentions some kind of ethernet adapter. Is that still sold anywhere?

I could upgrade the G4's operating system, but then I'd have to upgrade all the software I use on it, too. Does this become a problem?

Ideally I'd like to consider having both the G4 and the G3(due to some upgraded software it has - but again without the original program disks)be able to connect to the LW320 if I bought it. If she found the disks I could just put the upgrades on my G4 and use just it.

Thank you for your assistance.

Martha

According to the reference article above, The Personal LaserWriter 320 uses the LaserWriter 8 driver to print under Mac OS 8 or 9. LaserWriter 8 is installed by default, unless you have disabled it. If you did not deliberately put it in the Trash, it may be re-enabled with Extensions Manager, or manually fished out of the Extensions(disabled) folder.

Using LaserWriter 8 to print from a Beige G3 running Mac OS 8 or 9 would be no problem, as a Beige G3 still has a round "Printer" serial port that supports AppleTalk/LocalTalk at 0.240 K bits/sec, about 1/3 the speed of a modest DSL connection.

If you install a LocalTalk Bridge (AppleTalk-over-Ethernet <--> AppleTalk/LocalTalk) you can print from all your Ethernet-only Macs \[those with no round serial port; or Macs running Mac OS X which does not support the round serial port] .