Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!enprt.Wichita.NCR.COM!hburford
From: hburford@enprt.Wichita.NCR.COM (Harry Burford)
Newsgroups: comp.laser-printers
Subject: Re: Using the LaserWriter II NT (or NTX) with a PC (or clone)
Message-ID: <8807192201.AA04716@brillig.umd.edu>
Date: 30 Jun 88 14:08:39 GMT
References: <8806281350.AA12108@brillig.umd.edu>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: NCR Corporation, Wichita, Kansas
Lines: 32
Approved: laser-lovers@brillig.umd.edu

In article <8806281350.AA12108@brillig.umd.edu> Jerry_Hiniker@UM.CC.UMICH.EDU writes:
|>Does anyone have any experience using an Apple LaserWriter II NT (or
|>NTX) with a PC (or clone)?  There have been some problems reported with
|>this configuration, and I'd like to find out exactly what they are, how
|>(in)surmountable they might be, etc.  A recent (5/30/88) issue of
|>InfoWorld includes a product comparison of a number of PostScript
|>printers driven by IBM PCs.  The Laserwriter NT reportedly had enough
|>problems being driven by a PC that the testers had to "resort to using a
|>Macintosh".
|>Any comments or leads here will be appreciated.

I'm currently running a LaserWriter II NTX on my NCR PC-8 (AT clone) system
and it is working GREAT!   Lancaster demos, Ventura, Word, Windows, as well
as other output sources have worked fine.  The correct serial cable wireing
is a MUST for the printer to function.  Also, the PC will only run with
hardware handshake.   PostScript printers like the LWII normally default
to XON/XOFF and must be changed. 

A side note....   The printer contrast must be adjusted to about 8.5 or 9
in order to get correct gray.  Its interesting that in the HP LaserJet
Journal, March/April 88, where HP is promoting their JetScript controller,
they  inserted a sample output of the Lancaster cat graphic with 
incorrect grays.  The ears and eye brows were to be 60% and the bat was
to be a 75 line half tone.   They were all very black.   The LW II NTX 
uses the same print engine as the LJ II and will need adjustment for 
correct contrast.


-- 
Harry Burford - NCR E & M Wichita, Printer Engineering
PHONE:   316-636-8016                 Amateur Call:  KA0TTY
FAX:     316-636-8889
C-Serve: 76367,151                    Harry.Burford@Wichita.NCR.COM