Description: Apple II Family: Using With LaserWriter (2/97)
Header: Apple II Family: Using With LaserWriter (2/97)

 Article Created: 22 March 1988
 Article Reviewed/Updated: 17 February 1997

 TOPIC -----------------------------------------------------------

 This article discusses using a LaserWriter printer with the Apple II family
 of computers.

 DISCUSSION ------------------------------------------------------

 A LaserWriter can be connected to any Apple II containing a Super Serial
 Card, or the serial ports (modem port and printer port) in an Apple IIc or
 Apple IIGS.

 This is made possible by setting the serial interface to use XON/XOFF
 protocol using one of the following two methods.

 1st Method
 ----------
 Send the following code exactly as shown. The Super Serial Card must be in
 communications mode (jumper block set to "modem"), because print mode (jumper
 block set to "terminal") doesn't support XON/XOFF.

 Apple IIc/IIGS printer port:     Control-I X E
 Apple IIc/IIGS modem port:       Control-A X E
 Super Serial Card:               Control-I X

 - Control-I (or Control-A) tells the firmware that you are sending a
 character to act on.

 - The X tells the firmware to use XON/XOFF protocol.

 - The E says 'Enable the function designated by the next printable character.'


 2nd Method
 --------------
 Set up the LaserWriter for DTR handshake (requires version 2 or greater of
 the LaserWriter ROMs). This can be done by sending the following code segment
 to the LaserWriter with the switch set to 9600:

  serverdict begin 0 exitserver
  statusdict begin
  25 9600 7 setsccbatch
  end

 This sets the 25-pin connector to 9600 baud, DTR flow control, no parity.
 Substituting 9 for 25 sets the 9-pin connector to the same parameters. This
 change is written into EEROM, and remains as what is called a persistent
 parameter until changed back. To change the printer back to XON/XOFF, send
 this code segment:

  serverdict begin 0 exitserver
  statusdict begin
  25 9600 3 setsccbatch
  end


 Article Change History:
 17 Feb 1997 - Reviewed for technical accuracy, revised formatting.
 Copyright 1988-97, Apple Computer, In.c
 Keywords: