My LaserWriter Pro 630 thinks it's a LaserJet IIP and prints dirty pages!

I recently aquired a LaserWriter Pro 630, and have been trying to get it to work. I've been using it with a WinXP Pro SP2 laptop as my PowerMac G4 doesn't have a parallel port and my print server has not arrived yet.
Basically, the only time it'll print anything is when the push button on the printer interface rail is set to 1 or 3 - which is PCL output. While the printer will print when set to PCL, it's output is... undesirable. When configured in XP as a LaserWriter Pro 630, it simply starts printing out the raw PostScript sent to the printer! interestingly enough, the printer will print on push button setting 4 - it'll print the printer spec sheet, and nothing else. Anything other than 1, 3, 04 4 will result in the printer thinking for a bit then giving an "out of paper light" or having the print job pass on in to oblivion, not giving an error on the printer or computer.
Now, the LW Pro 630 supports LaserJet IIP emulation... So I manually configured the driver to a LaserJet IIP in XP, set the push button to 3, and it prints! Only problem is, the pages look like they were sent through a bad fax machine.
I uploaded the scan of the XP Printer Test page here (http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lwpro630xp2cq7.jpg). Obviously the printer works, but I'd rather not print reports and whatnot on it when it looks like this.
For reference, here's the scan of the printer spec sheet that prints when the push button's set to 4 (http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lwpro630specsdy0.jpg).
Does anyone have an idea how I can resolve the LaserWriter's identity crisis and make it print cleanly again? Thanks!

The LaserWriter Pro 630 is a Postscript level 2 printer with LocalTalk, serial, Ethernet, and parallel interfaces.
To use it with your Mac, you may need to convert its 14-pin AAUI Ethernet port (marked with <_> Icon) to an RJ45 Ethernet port by adding a used US$5 transceiver.
It can then be used with the standard Apple LaserWriter driver when you turn on AppleTalk on your Ethernet port. No additional print server is required to use with a Mac.
The overall smudginess is caused by shipping it with the cartridge in place, with the tape seal removed. The toner has flown all over the inside of the cartridge. You need a new cartridge.
The LaserWriter test page is trying to explain the settings of the number dial in the center oval of the printout. It lists the ports in order and the settings imposed by each switch setting:
8 -- for the MiniDIN-8 port, used for LocalTalk
RS-232 -- for the RS-232 port, probably a DB-25, and shows the serial settings, like 9600, 8 data, etc.
Ethernet -- for the AAUI Ethernet port, which accepts Postscript level 2 data using "EtherTalk" -- AppleTalk-over-Ethernet
parallel -- for Centronics parallel, which will likely only provide HP PCL 4+ emulation and not Postscript.

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LaserWriter Pro 630

I have a LaserWriter Pro 630 which will not now work with OS 10.6 because Apple Talk is no longer supported. Here are the connections I have been using: An Asante FriendlyNet adapter is plugged into the printer's D-connector LAN port. From there, an Ethernet cable goes to my Airport Extreme's RJ45 LAN port.
Does anyone know if there is a way to get this printer working with 10.6? The LaserWriter Pro 630 is a slug, but it works and is paid for.
Thanks!

See Mac OS X v10.6- Mac 101 - Printing.
AppleTalk is no longer supported in Snow, so as the other poster suggested you would have to share the printer from a system that supports AppleTalk.

Wallstreet, OS X and LaserWriter Pro 630

I've got a WallStreet G3 PowerBook running OS 10.1 and a LaserWriter Pro 630.
the laserWriter worked great with AppleTalk, LocalTalk Boxes on the Wallstreet when it was on OS 9.
It works great on with the Built in Ethernet on a G3 iBook 500 running OS 10.1 and a G4 iBook running OS 10.4
But I can't get it to run on the WallStreet with OS 10.anything.
Any help here would really be appreciated.

I don't know if this will help but I'm useing a HP 5110. Instead of hooking the printer to my network, I have it USB into the most used computer on my network. I then make sure that the folowing System Preferences are met on the Master computer.
That under Print & Fax the box next to share my printer with other computers is checked.
Under Sharing then Services that the box next to Printer Sharing is checked,
and then under Firewall the box next to Printer Sharing is checked.
If all of these are met I think it should work.
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Power Mac G5 and a Laserwriter Pro 630 - Is it Possible?

Another question as I look to upgrade my father's computing setup.
He probably wants to keep his older LaserWriter Pro 630. I'm going to load OS X Panther and Classic 9.2.2 onto the Power Mac G5. Is it possible to get the LaserWriter to print on a straight ethernet connection? Or do I need to devise another method to make it work. Also what's the scoop on drivers, AppleTalk, etc? Thanks very much.

112491- LaserWriter Pro 630: Technical Specifications
The laserWriter Pro 630 is a Postscript level 2 printer with an Ethernet port. It does NOT support LPR/LPD, so it must be addressed using AppleTalk-over-Ethernet. No adapter is required unless you intend to use a pre-Ethernet Mac. The printer is supported with the drivers built in to Macs running 8, 9, and all versions of X using a universal LaserWriter Driver and a descriptor file for that specific printer.
On the Mac, you must turn on AppleTalk on the Ethernet interface you are using. Some third-party Wireless Base Stations refuse to pass AppleTalk packets, so if you need a new Wireless Base Station, use Apple or stick to the major brands.
Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

LaserWriter Pro 630 two solid orange lights won't turn green. Put in new toner and test page does print. Any ideas?

LaserWriter Pro 630 two solid orange lights won't turn green. Put in new toner and test page does print. Any ideas?
The warmup stage does not seem to go all the way through its normal startup noises and the printer does not get hot.
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See if this link has some useful info:
LaserWriter Pro 600/630

Laserwriter Pro 630 with Linksys Router. Do I need a driver?

I have a two Powerbook G4s and a Linksys Wireless G router. I want to use the Laserwriter Pro 630 wirelessly through the router. How do I do this?
I first tried by connecting this printer via ethernet cable directly from my laptop to the printer. The printer has a Farallon ethernet adapter. The computer could not find the printer.
Do I need a driver for this printer?
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To be able to use the printer connected directly to the PowerBook you may need to use a crossover cable if you have an older PowerBook. The driver is built into OS X. Also you need to make sure that AppleTalk is turned on for the ethernet port. See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=339353&tstart=0 for details.
To try and set it up wirelessly you will need to switch AppleTalk to Airport and go through the same setup as above. You may not be able to print wirelessly as a lot of routers do not work with AppleTalk. Another possibility is to get a parallel print server, which uses TCP/IP.

Laserwriter Pro 630, Mountain Lion, and Macbook Pro

Hi,
I have a very old Laserwriter Pro 630 that I use for simple inexpensive proofing. On my old system (G4 Tower w/Leopard), it was connected via an ethernet hub.
I'm now the proud owner of a Macbook Pro Retina (with no ethernet port), and I can't figure out how (or if) I can use this printer. Can someone give me some advice on this?
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There are certainly potential obstacles, but the "lowest common denominator" approach of a parallel to Ethernet (or wireless) solution works for me. If using a print server, the goal is to create an IP address where this printer will reside on the network. Since the LW Pro 630 is a PostScript printer, the rest is easy.
To summarize the results of the thread you linked, including the links within it, regarding this specific model LaserWriter, based on my own testing on OS X versions from Jaguar through Mountain Lion:
IOGear GUC1284B parallel to USB adapter attached to a Mac's USB port: works
The same IOGear adapter connected to an AirPort Extreme or Express USB port does not work with the LaserWriter Pro 630, though it works with other parallel printers. I was never able to determine the reason but am pretty confident I exhausted every possibility. Read my responses to Loroi near the end of this thread: USB to Parallel Cable for LW Select 360?
D-Link DP-311P and D-Link DP-G301 parallel to wireless adapters: both work. Similar parallel to wireless or Ethernet adapters ought to work as well.
Another possibility would be to use a USB to serial converter, such as the Keyspan (Tripp Lite) USA-28XG. I have not attempted this potential solution. The challenge would be to discover the LaserWriter's default serial port settings, but a good guess would be 9600-n-8-1.
Configuring the Mac to use this alternative would require no small amount of tedium with which you are well familiar I suspect the LaserWriter used a configuration utility that requires OS 9 and AppleTalk to configure its serial port, and may also have been required for the AAUI transceiver which the OP probably doesn't have. The fact this particular LaserWriter has a parallel port that requires no configuration makes this an unattractive alternative.
The disadvantage of any of the above solutions is that complete, bidirectional communication won't work, meaning the printer will not be able to inform the Mac that it's out of paper for example. If the printer is not ready the print job will patiently wait until it becomes ready. Communicating with the printer to determine details such as page count are also unavailable without Intel-coded utility software that does not exist in OS X.

Change name of LaserWriter Pro 630

I've got a LaserWriter Pro 630 connected via ethernet. I can print fine from my 10.4 box, but I've got 2 issues with it:
1. The printer's name is a leftover from the previous owner. How can I change it? I know how to change the displayed printer name on my Mac, I want to change the stored name on the printer.
2. How can I get the printer to stop printing a "ready" page every time I turn it on?
No, I don't have access to Classic or any OS 9 machines.
Thanks.
-Pete

I have a DP1.8 with 10.4.6 and don't have a problem opening "Apple Printer Utility" in a window, which is what is needed to accomplish the 2 items that you mentioned. I too thought that I didn't have classic for a long time as well, or that it was unstable to use. I realize that I can't boot from classic but "Apple Printer Utility" does open in a window and I don't remember installing classic.

Laserwriter Pro 630, USB to Parallel, Original Airport Extreme-- in 10.6.4

*If you have used a USB to Parallel adapter to place a pre-LPD/IP Laserwriter on your Snow Leopard machine, I'm looking for your input!*
I have a Laserwriter Pro 630 -- no more AppleTalk in Snow Leopard. I'd like to attach it through my Airport Extreme's USB printer port.
It seems that:
- Some people have had success with USB to Parallel cables
- Some have been able to do this without additional software
- Maybe the cable is the issue
- Maybe it won't be possible
I read several sources that explained you can use a USB to Parallel cable to bring up the printer in Snow Leopard. I bought such a cable. In the *Add Printer* dialog, it could see the cable, but would not allow me to Add the printer.
I found a thread (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12060195#12060195) that referenced what I was seeing, and the USBTB back-end. After installing that, I was able to print (though when I changed the name of the printer queue, it didn't work -- I had to add the printer again). Further, if Airport Utility, under Printers, it doesn't see the USB cable or the printer at all.
I read an 11 page thread (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2073321&tstart=0) which referenced a handful of people using a USB cable, though several of them seemed to be able to do this without USBTB. It strikes me that if my printer (cable) required the addition of USBTB to the Mac, it might be that the Airport wouldn't be able to see it without that same backend.
So I'm left wondering:
- should I get a different cable?
- should I install something else besides USBTB?
- is it even possible to connect the LW Pro 630 to the Aiport Extreme over the USB to Parallel adapter?
Thoughts, experiences... Sought!

You should get a parallel print server and not use USB.
Why do you say that? Many people report success using USB to parallel, and while there may be advantages of using a print server, there seems to be several disadvantages:
1- another power-consuming device I have to plug in and either run all the time or turn on when I turn on the printer
2- more cables and connections and configurations
3- more expensive
I should probably note, too, that I re-read the 11 page thread and went ahead and bought the one cable mentioned there (iogear's). It works fine, selecting the 630's PPD. It won't be recognized by the Airport Exteme.
Oh well. Waking the Mac so I can print from the MacBook is pretty trivial, since to turn the printer on, I have to go to the same room the Mac is in.

LaserWriter Pro 630 : flashing 'Ready' light?

Howdy, all!
My LaserWriter Pro 630 just started 'acting up' recently and I was wondering if anyone has seen these symptoms before...
The 630 is attached to my home network--there haven't been any changes to the network in the past 8-12 months.
I can send a document to the printer from my PowerBook G4 (which is connected to the network through an Airport Base Station).
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The 'Ready' light continues flashing, even though the print queue is empty.
I have pushed the Service Test Page Button, and the 630 successfully printed the page o' lines.
I took the printer this afternoon to a laser printer guy, and he replaced the Laser/Scanner Assembly. Unfortunately, it hasn't remedied the situation.
I've also got a brand new toner cartridge in the printer. I initially thought that the printer was simply out of toner, but I guess I was wrong.
Anyone have any clues, hints, or words of encouragement?
Thanks in advance,
mg

HMMM - tried it with the Appletalk connection - or even the parallel port on a PC?
Tried your Mac with another printer (even a USB printer) - Could show some problem
Can any other computer hit the printer?
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Hi samsquared,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I have read your post on the dimishing print quality of the blue cartridge, and I would be more than happy to be of assistance!
In addition to faded colour, what does the quality look like on Test Pattern 3? Are there white or black lines going horizontal through the gray bars?
Since you have already performed two printhead cleanings with diminishing results, I would recommend replacing your magenta/cyan printhead. This step can be found in the Troubleshooting Print Quality Issues document under "step 3" of "Solution 4."
If replacing the printhead does not resolve your issue, please call our technical support at 1-800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region please click the link below to get the support number for your region.
http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpsupport/index.pl
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I work on behalf of HP
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My LaserWriter Pro 630 thinks it's a LaserJet IIP and prints dirty pages!

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