Is my Personal LaserWriter NTR finally dead?

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Level 1

93 points

Is my Personal LaserWriter NTR finally dead?

My NTR worked perfectly last night. It is connected to my dual-boot G4, along with a LW Select 360, with an AsanteTalk and Farallon adapters.
Yesterday, after doing a successful print job, the NTR just turned itself off. I was able to turn it back on with the power switch. This morning, the NTR powered up, allowed me to print a couple of pages, and turned itself off. I have not been able to power it up again. I unplugged it from the power strip, I disconnected and reconnected the power cord to the unit, and still nothing...won't power up at all. (Fortunately, the 360 is working, so ongoing jobs can keep churning out.)

I read the NTR service manual, but I'm not sure what to do. Went to the fixyourownprinter.com site and saw something about "lights off, but fan running" but nothing else that might apply.

Someone (especially you, Appaloosa Man) please help! This NTR has been going strong since 1992 and I don't want to let it "stay dead" if at all possible. The NTR can use HP toner cartridges which is one reason I want to keep it going. It is hard, if not impossible, to get cartridges for the xerox-based Select 360..another reason I want to keep the NTR going. Help!

Dual-boot G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Oct 5, 2006 7:43 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 9, 2006 10:35 PM in response to tmbrowng

Thurletta,

Thanx 4 the vote of confidence but even I have moved on from our 1992 NTR. I have about five in a stack to play with on some dark and stormy night. Meanwhile, WSU surplus was selling 16/600 PS ethernet capable laser printers for $25 and Select 360s for $35. I bought six and shared them with family members.

Find a university surplus store and update to an OS X/ethernet capable printer and you will not regret it. That is what is plugged into the mini. Toner is only $30. The speed will also be appreciated.

Jim

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Answer 2

Oct 10, 2006 2:13 AM in response to tmbrowng

You may look at the Repair Manual of The Laserwriter NTR,page 35/36.If there is a failure of the fusing system the DC controller board shuts of the current to fuser roller heater.You must wait at least 3 minutes to discharge the named Capacitor.
AS far as I understand this is only a protection measure to keep the fusing system running without overheating-you should search for anything that may cause that overheating in the fuser system.Maybe some electronic parts are going down after 14 years of use-my VHS(only 3 years of use) showed same symptons if closed, could start it open,got hot spots on the board,tried to cool down with blowing air,gave up and bought a new one(one repair is more money than a new one here).
You may change the whole fusing system with the help of Appaloosa mac man-but would be a lot of labour at least.
I can't imagine the NTR could be worth that.

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Answer 3

tmbrowng Author

Level 1

93 points

Oct 10, 2006 5:14 AM in response to AppleIIFreak

AppleIIFreak, I'd read the part of the service manual about the Controller Board and was beginning to think that might be the problem. And, thanks, Appaloosa Man...though your news was not good. Right now, I'm considering replacing the power supply, depending on the cost of the part at fixyourownprinter.com. BTW: AF, Do those printers you spoke of do Postscript? Also, whatever the printer, I need to be able to print while booted directly into 9.2.2 (not Classic) as well as 10.3.9. Any recommendations?

Dual-boot G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 4

Oct 10, 2006 6:09 AM in response to tmbrowng

Thurletta,

Here is a handy link:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=16143

It gives a good cross reference between systems but also groups printers by "engine type."

M2473G/A Apple LaserWriter Pro 600, LaserWriter Pro 630, LaserWriter 16/600 PS is the group of which I spoke.

The PS has postscript and ethernet. It will network where the 360 select needs extra hardware to do anything besides a simple Appletalk network. My 360 is on Local talk with several computers but does not connect to the mini and OS X. The 16/600 PS series is a nice step forward to OS X without giving up connectivity to my Quadra 700 that actually earns me more money than all my newer computers combined.

Jim

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Answer 5

Oct 10, 2006 1:17 PM in response to Appaloosa mac man

Some more on "PostScript printers":
IF you look at the Specs of a certain LaserWriterPrinter you will get the PostScript ability.
More here:
Apple's Printer Description Files: Where to Get Them http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=11295
Mac OS 9: How to Improve Printing, Font, and Color Management http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50674
Mac OS 9: How to Solve Problems Printing
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50575
LaserWriter 8.6: System Requirements
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25055
Apple Printer Utility 2.2 - Read Me
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=26060
Sorry-don't own one of these printers(old macs,old printers,old man)
As far as I know you could even use an Imagewriter II-depends on OS/driver you use.

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Answer 6

Oct 10, 2006 2:01 PM in response to AppleIIFreak

Sorry-correction:
Imagewriter II originally came with QuickDraw Printer Driver, all Laserwriter prior to 1997 with sort of PostScript Driver.

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Answer 7

tmbrowng Author

Level 1

93 points

Oct 13, 2006 4:53 AM in response to AppleIIFreak

Here's the latest in the continuing saga....
A friend had what I always thought was an NTR, but it turned out to be an NT, and she has given it to me for parts. Her NT powers up, but could never be cured of the "print only one page and then nothing" problem. From what I can tell, the power supplies for the NT and NTR are identical, so I've printed out the appropriate pages from the service manual and am trying to get up the "noive" to attack the beasts...maybe even this weekend. My NTR must have gotten wind of the impending surgery because it is doing just fine right now...purring away, waiting for a Print command.
AppleIIFreak: The fusing system failure cutoff..any remote possibility that could be caused by dust bunnies or just old age? The last time I went into the NTR there was all sorts of crud in there. Her NT is at least a year older than my NTR so messing with the fusing system might be a bigger waste of time.
Appaloosa Man: Is the Select 360 ethernet-capable or just the 16/600s you spoke of?
Words of wisdom and support are welcome...just have to give the NTR one last shot at life.

Dual-boot G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 8

Oct 13, 2006 7:41 AM in response to tmbrowng

Short answer:Dust should be removed as far as possible-Dust prevents heat flow(isolator) from electronic parts. 14 years of running is a high age for electronics today at least(my IIe,IIgs are both 20 years,still running nevertheless!).
Hope Appaloosa mac man can help more-seems to be big surgery on NTR.
Good luck

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Answer 9

Oct 13, 2006 8:10 AM in response to tmbrowng

Thurletta,

That is great news about a parts machine!

The Select does not have ethernet support built in but you can add Etherprint boxes that expand the possibilities. That is added costs and complexity that newer printers avoid.

Look for surplus stores or computer recyclers and see what is available. For me, it just made more sense to buy the 16/600 Postscript and ethernet capable machines for $25 than buy more of the Selects - which I still use daily in the basement - for $35.

Develop your sources and options will abound. Good luck,

Jim

PS,

Turn your printer off when not in use to minimize overheating at the fuser roller.

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