LaserWriter Pro 600

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Level 1

5 points

LaserWriter Pro 600

I have a very old but excellent workhorse Apple LaserWriter Pro 600. When OSX came out, I had to first find and then use/install : Lexmark Optra S xxx5 Series. I can't even remember why all I know is that it worked beautifully. About a year ago I disconnected this printer and put it in storage until I had more room to hook it up and start using it again. I am now using OSX 10.5.5. I reinstalled the driver Lexmark Optra S xxx5 Series but am not getting any response other than 1) printer paused (it will not resume) 2) Unable to get printer status
3) Operation Could not be completed • client-error-not-possible
sometimes shows up too.
I've been printing wirelessly for years so I don't know why I can not get this printer to be recognized and/or print. I have a HP color laser 3200 using the USB port on the AirPort Express, leaving an ethernet port available for the Apple LaserWriter Pro.
I hope this makes sense to someone and can help me get this awesome printer back up and workable.
Thanks so much
Mona

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 26, 2008 5:45 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 26, 2008 6:16 PM in response to msavko

You sure you have that number right? This page says the LaserWriter Pro 600 has no Ethernet port:

LaserWriter Pro 600: Technical Specifications

How are you connecting a LaserWriter Pro 600 to Ethernet?

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Answer 2

msavko Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 26, 2008 6:28 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I have an adapter "Farallon" EtherWave - with two ports for ethernet connections. Have had it for years on this printer because it has - what I think I remember it being a 'serial' port? and as new computer equipment became available - the 'serial' port became obsolete.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for helping!
Mona

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Answer 3

Nov 26, 2008 6:52 PM in response to msavko

With a wide variety of Farallon adapters that look just like the Etherwave, your printer can communicate using AppleTalk-over-Ethernet.

To print in Mac OS 10.2 and later, forget the Lexmark driver. That printer is supported by the built-in LaserWriter driver, and uses AppleTalk to communicate. In the Network System Preference, AppleTalk must be active on your computer's communication port.

That printer does NOT support LPR/LPD printing, which may be the default. You must use additional buttons during printer setup to select More Printers, and use the pulldown menu to select AppleTalk.

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Answer 4

msavko Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 26, 2008 7:38 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Again!
AppleTalk is active. When I select 'More Printers', the pull down menu gives me these 4 choices in Auto:
Canon iJ Network
EPSON Firewire
EPSON TCP/IP
HP IP Printing
If I select Manual, I have the same four choices with a Manual IP waiting to be manually added - with a connect button.
There is a section with Printer Name Kind IP Address
there is also a section that says 'Status option:' with a box to disable SNMP Status

I'm sorry if this is so vague, but it is the best I can do to help you help me.
I appreciate your patience. Unfortunately, with Turkey day tomorrow I have to get up early to start my bird and get started with the menu for the day...I'm going to get some sleep and will check back here later in the day tomorrow. Thanks Again!
Have a nice Thanksgiving to all -
Mona

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Answer 5

Nov 27, 2008 5:29 PM in response to msavko

The printers listed below are all the LaserWriters that are Postscript level 2 printers supported by the Mac OS X drivers that are NOT IP Printers (do not support LPR/LPD). All these printers are LocalTalk printers. Except for those marked (Ethernet) they also need a converter from AppleTalk-over-Ethernet to AppleTalk/LocalTalk to print from Macs newer than the Beige G3 and with Mac OS X.

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)

I can guide you through the screens from 10.4 Tiger:

System Preferences > Print&Fax > [+] to add a Printer

At the top left are two Icons for "default Browser" and "IP Printer". Since none of these are IP Printers, select "Default Browser". When you select "Default Browser" your printer will probably not appear.

Click the ( More Printers ) button at the bottom.
A sub-window appears, dropping down from the same header. It has a drop-down menu of:

AppleTalk
Bluetooth
Windows Printing

Choose AppleTalk, and an additional drop-down menu appears below the first, with "Local AppleTalk Zone" pre-selected. \[You only have other Zones if you are using a GatorBox or other obsolete antique AppleTalk Router.] Within a quarter minute, any available AppleTalk printers will appear in the list. If they do not, there is a problem with cabling or the "Bridge" device, or AppleTalk is not on or not assigned to the correct Network Port.

Select your printer from the list. You may now either Autoconfigure (Printer set-Up will query the printer for its identity) or Manually choose an available customization file from the list provided.

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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Answer 6

Dec 1, 2008 12:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I was given brief access to a Mac OS X 10.5.5 laptop. The procdure is similar to what I described above:

At the top left are two Icons for "default Browser" and "IP Printer". Since none of these are IP Printers, select "Default Browser". When you select "Default Browser" your printer will probably not appear.

In Mac OS X 10.5.5, there is a set of Icons along the top of the dialog box. The one with stylized left and right pointing arrows is for AppleTalk. Click on that Icon.

Within a quarter minute, any available AppleTalk printers will appear in the list. If they do not, there is a problem with cabling or the "Bridge" device, or AppleTalk is not on or not assigned to the correct Network Port. (If AppleTalk is not turned on, it will warn you about that and allow you to fix it.)

Select your printer from the list. You may now either Autoconfigure (Printer set-Up will query the printer for its identity) or Manually choose an available customization file from the list provided. You should choose the one for your printer, the LaserWriter Pro 600, not a third-party driver for a different printer.

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