Can't print from my Apple Laserwriter 16/600 PS

Question

Hello,
I have an Apple Laserwriter 16/600 PS that I used to be able to print documents to from my Mac G4 OS 10.2.8 via a network connection with my Mac 9600/OS 8 as a shared printer. It was an easy solution to the cabling issues between laserwriters of that vintage and G4s and USB ports. But this was not a good option after I upgraded my G4 to OS 10.4.8.
So now I have connected this printer to my G4/OS 10.4.8 using a Keyspan USB parallel printer adapter. I am networked using built-in Ethernet; connect to my ISP via TCP/IP using DHCP that automatically assigns an IP address to my computer and router. I have AppleTalk set to active and configured automatically. I do notice that I have no AppleTalk zones that I can use. So I'm not sure what use this is.
I set up the printer on my G4 with the Printer Setup Utility using Line Printer Daemon - LPD protocol. I used the same IP address as my computer, gave it a name and location and selected the model Apple Laserwriter 16/600 PS v2014.106 to print from the menu list in the utility.
I can see the printer using Apple System Profiler under Hardware/Printers/Queue Name. I can see the printer in my applications' page setup dialog. But I cannot print anything. (At one point during my hours of effort, and with another setup configuration, when I viewed the job printing from the setup utility, it said the job was printing, but it just ran and ran. Now it simply says "no job printing.")
I repaired permissions, used MacJanitor and restarted everything. Still no luck. The cable is plugged in properly as far as I can tell.
Questions:
1. Have I assigned the incorrect IP address to the printer (it is the same as my ISP assigned IP address for my computer? If so what should I assign as an IP address?
2. Do I need to download an Apple Laserwriter 16/600 print driver or some other software to make the computer and printer agree with each other?
3. Should I be using another protocol in the Printer Setup Utility? IPP and HP Jet Direct - Socket are the other protocols available in this utility. Once again, what is the correct IP address to use for a connected printer?
4. Why are there no AppleTalk zones available even though I have made AppleTalk active?
5. I do have access to OS Classic and the old printer utility, but how do I utilize that to make this printer work on OS 10.4.8?
I am sure there must be a solution and I have spent a long time Googling and searching. If someone could walk me through a solution or point to an article or download that would help, I would be so appreciative.
Thanks for any help on this.
Shelley
Power PC G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)
Message was edited by: Shelley Schreiber

Answer 1

Shelley,
The adapter is just that. It changes one plug at one end to a standard RJ 45 phone style socket on the other end. Plug in the <---> plug into the <---> socket on the back of the printer. The box end of the transceiver has a standard socket for the usual phone style plug.
"Do the transceiver (that I am assuming has the aaui adapter plug on it) and the RJ45 ethernet plug come as separate items that I then string together with the cat 5 cable? "
They can come as a box with two sockets and one short adapter cable or a box with one RJ 45 socket and one short cable permenantly attached that has the <---> plug for the printer.
"Or are these three items available as a unit that I can just order, ready to go (i.e. plug into the printer and connect to the computer.)?"
I have not seen one that was long enough to eliminate the need for the cat 5 ethernet cable. The length of cable needed varies so widely that manufacturers just make the adapter, you choose the length of cable.
Ethernet does not split like phone splitters. Hubs were designed for that task. Your router acts as a spliter/hub PLUS routing duties so go ahead and use it for its intended purpose. The uplink port on the router goes to the link with another network so save that port for your DSL modem.
Wikipedia offers a little background reading here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switch
Not to be outdone, Yahoo has a site:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070331094643AAcs2Rs
So, to recap, you do not need a separate ethernet hub - good guess, they do exist. A switch is a fast HUB - oversimplified explanation - and is not needed in your situation. Your router has a hub plus an uplink port for linking to another router connected to another Local Area Network.
Think of a router this way. My son has LAN parties with ten or more computers in one room connected to the internet. Without a router, the internet company would see ten computers and send him a bill for ten internet connections. At AOL rates, that would be $220 or more a month. Ouch! A router takes those ten computers and reduces the network signals into one so he only gets a bill for one $22/month connection. Much nicer for a student's budget.
Hope this helps.
Jim