Laserwriter Select 360

Question

Level 1

8 points

Laserwriter Select 360

Hello. I want to connect my old Laserwriter Select 360 (which works fine) to my new Mac mini (latest 10.5.6 OS). The laserwriter has appletalk, serial, and parallel ports. I see there is a piece of hardware called an "Asante Ethernet to LocalTalk Bridge". If I plug in one side to my mini's ethernet port and the other to my laserwriter, will I be able to use the printer? Note (1) it is possible to tell the latest OS to run appletalk over the ethernet port, and (2) the OS X 10.5 web page seems to indicate that the OS does include a "modern" printer driver for my printer. Many thanks for your help!

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 30, 2009 5:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

156,260 points

Jan 30, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Joseph Grcar

Joseph Grcar wrote:
I see there is a piece of hardware called an "Asante Ethernet to LocalTalk Bridge". If I plug in one side to my mini's ethernet port and the other to my laserwriter, will I be able to use the printer?

Yes! The AsanteTalk Bridge is the best non-Apple piece of hardware on Earth.

Sounds like you've already enabled Appletalk on Ethernet. If you haven't, here's how:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8302.html

Reply

Answer 2

Joseph Grcar Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2009 11:41 AM in response to John Galt

Hello again, Just to make sure that we are talking about the same device, I went to Amazon and searched for "Asante Talk Ethernet to LocalTalk Bridge". It is a little gray box about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Is that the device I should try? Many thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

156,260 points

Jan 31, 2009 5:28 PM in response to Joseph Grcar

Yes. It's actually white:

Since Amazon doesn't have any new ones I suggest you buy it directly from Asante. Last I checked Amazon's price was about the same anyway.

http://www.asante.com/products/CardsAdapters/AsanteTalk.asp

You'll get the latest firmware and a lifetime warranty.

If your budget is limited, they show up from time to time on Ebay, but last I checked actual selling prices for "nearly new" with original box etc. weren't much less than new.

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 3, 2009 12:48 PM in response to John Galt

I checked the US eBay site a few weeks ago and there had been several of them for a very low price. I have got 2 of these that I have found and don't need.

Reply

Answer 5

Joseph Grcar Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 3, 2009 12:55 PM in response to Stuart Hazeldine

Thanks for your help. I have already ordered the cheapest one that I could find on Amazon ($37).

Reply

Answer 6

cmgj

Level 1

0 points

Feb 9, 2009 8:01 AM in response to Stuart Hazeldine

Do you still have? I have this printer and am looking to get it on a home network...

Reply

Answer 7

Joseph Grcar Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2009 6:13 PM in response to Joseph Grcar

I ordered an Asante ethernet to localtalk bridge for $37 plus shipping from a third party reseller on Amazon. I got it today and plugged it in. There was a moment of frustration when my mini did not see the printer. Yes, I had gone to preferences /netowrk /ethernet /advanced /appletalk and turned appletalk on. But preferences /printers did not see my old printer. The solution was to turn everything off (the mini, the bridge, and the printer). I them powered them up in the order mini, bridge, printer but I do not think that was important. Anyway, the mini then found the printer and I have been lasering away without problem ever since. Thanks to all who helped me through this.

Reply

Answer 8

John Galt

Level 10

156,260 points

Feb 11, 2009 4:45 AM in response to Joseph Grcar

Joseph Grcar wrote:
... I them powered them up in the order mini, bridge, printer but I do not think that was important.

Actually, it is important. From the AsanteTalk FAQ:

Q: Is there an approved power-up sequence for the AsantéTalk?
A: Yes. In general, turn on all Localtalk devices first: printers, laptops and desktop computers. Once these are all functioning, do EITHER of the following:. If the AsantéTalk will be connected to an existing Ethernet network, connect the silver Ethernet cable to a hub, bridge or router, and power up the AsantéTalk. If the AsantéTalk will be connected to an iMac, connect the yellow crossover cable to both AsantéTalk and iMac, power up the AsantéTalk, THEN power up the iMac.

Reply