Member Avatar for KVIVO

I'm on a G4 PowerBook (10.2.8) and have a HP Laserjet 1300 printer with it.
I have a G3 PowerBook(8.5.1) and an Apple Personal LaserWriter 300 printer.
I have transferred stuff on my hard drive (G3) to my (G4) since I have to turn
in my old machine. Would like to be able to print my files on my LaserWriter
1300 since most of them are opening on Classic system and are looking for
that specific printer. I was told that the adaptor wouldn't work since I did not
have the correct print drivers???? Shouldn't it be with the stuff I transferred?
I'm confused..... Thanks!

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Dani AI

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Short answer: the Personal LaserWriter 300 is an old serial/QuickDraw printer and Classic apps need OS 9‑era printer drivers that don’t get moved by copying user files — so simply transferring documents won’t make that printer available under Classic on your G4. Classic printing uses the printer drivers installed inside the Classic System Folder, not OS X drivers. (support.apple.com)

Three practical ways to get printing working

  1. Install the OS‑9 LaserWriter 300 driver into Classic. If the driver’s installer only runs under OS 9, install it on a Mac that boots OS 9 (your G3 if it will), then copy the driver and the Print Monitor/Extensions into the Classic System Folder on the G4. After that open the Classic Chooser and select the LaserWriter. (Apple’s LaserWriter downloads/manuals list is the place to start.) (support.apple.com)

  2. If the G4 has no serial port, use a USB→serial adapter that has Mac drivers (Keyspan/Tripp Lite USA‑19 series was the Mac‑recommended option historically). Install the adapter’s OS X driver on the G4 so the serial device appears to the system, then set the Classic printer to the corresponding serial port in the Chooser. (macworld.com)

  3. Use the old G3 as a print server. Attach the LaserWriter to the G3, enable printer sharing in OS 9, and add that network printer from the G4’s Print Center (OS X 10.2). This avoids fiddling with adapters or copying system files. (discussions.apple.com)

Troubleshooting notes

  • In OS X 10.2 open Print Center (Applications → Utilities) to add/verify printers and PPD selection. If Classic apps still crash when printing, confirm the Print Monitor and the LaserWriter driver are present inside Classic’s Extensions and Apple Menu Items. If the adapter isn’t seen by OS X, check System Profiler/USB after installing the adapter driver. (support.xerox.com)

As described, the files you copied aren’t enough by themselves; was right that drivers don’t transfer like documents, and ’s point about the LaserWriter not being PostScript explains why OS X generic PS drivers won’t substitute. The fastest route is usually either installing the OS‑9 LaserWriter driver into Classic or using the G3 as a print server.

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Member Avatar for yellow

I was told that the adaptor wouldn't work since I did not
have the correct print drivers???? Shouldn't it be with the stuff I transferred?

Not unless you transfered all the system files too.. and since Classic won't run if it's < OS9, it's rather doubtful that stuff made it there. That being said, there is no OS X driver specifically for Personal LW 300. There is one for PLW 320 and PLW NTR (not sure what NTR is). I would try the one for the 320 first. Even the Generic one should work.

However, if you're having troubles seeing the printer, you probably need a driver for the USB-> Serial adapter.

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Back in the day, I was able to use the 320 driver for the personal laserwriter LS. It slowed down the printing a little bit, but the greyscale was smoother with the newer driver. The LS is *not* a postscript printer.

Christian

Member Avatar for KVIVO

Thanks for the info! KC

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