Member Avatar for randoman99

Good evening:

Does anyone currently use this configuration, or know how to make the Laserwriter Pro 630 work with XP?

Thanks,
Rando

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A concise, practical summary and fixes that build on the thread (notes on , , , , ).

The LaserWriter Pro 630 is a true PostScript-based LaserWriter with multiple ports (EtherTalk/Ethernet, LocalTalk/serial and a 36‑pin Centronics parallel port). A small physical “mode” switch on the rear selects which port/protocol is active and which printer language the machine expects; if that switch (or the printer’s comm configuration) is not set to the Centronics/PostScript setting, PostScript jobs will appear as literal code. Also, Windows XP does not include AppleTalk, so an EtherTalk-only printer will not be natively discovered by XP. (manualzilla.com)

Parallel-direct checklist (most reliable if the 630 sits next to the PC)

  • Confirm the rear mode switch is set to the Centronics/Parallel → Protocol: normal (PostScript) position (see the manual’s mode table).
  • Use a proper IEEE‑1284 bidirectional Centronics parallel cable (avoid cheap USB→parallel adapters; many are not compatible with older host‑based or bidirectional printers).
  • In the PC BIOS set the LPT mode to ECP/EPP if available.
  • In XP add a Local Printer, select LPT1 (or the correct LPT port) and install a PostScript driver — either Apple’s LaserWriter driver or Generic/PostScript — not Generic/Text‑Only.
    These steps address the “30 pages of code” symptom (wrong protocol or a bad adapter/cable). (manualzilla.com)

Network options when the 630 is on Ethernet

  • If the printer is only speaking EtherTalk (AppleTalk), use a Mac as a print server and enable Printer Sharing; then install Apple’s Bonjour Print Services on the XP box and run the Bonjour Printer Wizard to add the shared queue (choose Generic/PostScript if a model-specific driver isn’t offered).
  • Alternatively, fit an LPR/JetDirect‑style hardware print server (one that presents an IP and either LPD or raw socket/port 9100) and add the printer in XP as a Standard TCP/IP port with a PostScript driver. (support.apple.com)

Quick troubleshooting checklist (no Mac available)

  • Verify printer prints its internal self‑test/config page (confirms engine OK).
  • Note exact cabling (real Centronics vs USB adapter).
  • Note the rear mode switch symbol/position and the printed behavior after changing it.
    If the mode switch + real parallel cable + PostScript driver are used and output is still raw code, the printer may be in the wrong communication mode or the parallel link is corrupt — the manual’s mode table and using a print server / Bonjour bridge are the usual resolution paths. (manualzilla.com)

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All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for xcellpro6

Hi

Looking on Microsoft's technet site and discovered that Windows XP no longer supports the AppleTalk protocol.

So even though XP does support LaserWriter 630 Pro (with no 3rd party software or drivers) it doesn't support the network connection.

I think using a parallel cable to connect would help solve your printing problems and add a new printer as normal.

HTH
Darren
South Africa

Member Avatar for randoman99

Darren,

Thanks so much. I actually am using the Centronics parallel connection directly to my PC. I have tried it on 2 different machines. It seems to install the driver, but when the test ppage prints, or I print from any app0lication, I get 30 pages of code.

Hi

Looking on Microsoft's technet site and discovered that Windows XP no longer supports the AppleTalk protocol.

So even though XP does support LaserWriter 630 Pro (with no 3rd party software or drivers) it doesn't support the network connection.

I think using a parallel cable to connect would help solve your printing problems and add a new printer as normal.

HTH
Darren
South Africa

Member Avatar for Member #238189

Good evening:

Does anyone currently use this configuration, or know how to make the Laserwriter Pro 630 work with XP?

Thanks,
Rando

Did you ever get the LaserWriter Pro 630 added in XP? I am running Boot Camp on an iMac and Windows XP Pro. I have the LaserWriter Pro 630 connected to my router by way of the ethernet port on the printer. BUT when I try to "add printer", it is not seen. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am wondering if the Firewall is "blocking" the port, but I also don't know what the port is that the LW Pro 630 uses. Thanks.

Member Avatar for cattech

If anyone ever got this working - with a Laserwriter 630 Pro over ethernet and WinXp please let me know..

Member Avatar for techtrainer

I have a peculiar variation. I've connected a LW Pro 630 to an Airport Express wireless router as part of my Airport network at home. From Macs, I can print by establishing a (wireless) Appletalk connection. (I'm still OK with OS 10.5.)
But XP Pro doesn't support AppleTalk. So, with my Dell laptop my workaround has been to download the "Bonjour Printer Wizard" which, for some reason, recognizes the LW Pro 630 via a particular (wireless) Mac on my network (a G4 Cube running OS 10.4), but not directly via AppleTalk. This means that, in order to print from the Dell (which works well, BTW), I must first boot the Cube. And again, the Cube is not physically wired to the network, although the printers are (via Airport Extreme units). Otherwise, the LW Pro doesn't appear in my list of available printers when printing from the Dell.
I suspect that a better workaround would be to find/assign an IP address to the LW Pro. Then I could try my other option in XP of printing to a specific IP address. Can someone help me with that?
Thanks!
-- Keith

Member Avatar for techtrainer

Did you ever get the LaserWriter Pro 630 added in XP? I am running Boot Camp on an iMac and Windows XP Pro. I have the LaserWriter Pro 630 connected to my router by way of the ethernet port on the printer. BUT when I try to "add printer", it is not seen. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am wondering if the Firewall is "blocking" the port, but I also don't know what the port is that the LW Pro 630 uses. Thanks.

XP Pro doesn't support AppleTalk printers. But I've found a workaround: to download the "Bonjour Printer Wizard" which, for some reason, recognizes the LW Pro 630 via a particular (wireless) Mac on my network. The quirk is that, in order to print from my XP Pro laptop (which works well, BTW), I must first boot my other Mac (which is only physically wired to AC, although the printers are connected to the network via Airport Extreme units. If that Mac has not been booted, the LW Pro doesn't appear in my list of available printers when printing from my Dell. Very strange.
A better workaround might be to find/assign an IP address to the LW Pro. Then I could try the other option in XP of printing to a specific IP address. But I don't know how to do that. Any ideas?
Thanks!
-- Keith

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