HELP with old Imagewriter cable info

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Michael Cirivello - 25 Sep 2007 12:29 GMT

Hi Folks-

I'm using a piece of Mac point-of-sale software that insists on a
serial-based receipt printer. I have to use a USB Keyspan twin serlal cable
that connects to my iMac, then connect an Apple IIe to ImageWriter II Printer
Cable DB25-M/Mini8-M to the Keyspan.

I'm still getting no response from the printer, and the software tech help
insists that all the parameters on the program are correct.

So, three questions:

The Kepyspan I got via eBay was new, but seemed to be from Japan. Can I
assume that there's no difference in make-up between this and one
manufactured for the US?

I downloaded the newest Kepyspan driver software from the website -- would
this cause any kind of problem due to the Japanese hardware?

Now, the really dumb question. The Imagewriter cable mini8 end has only 4
pins sticking out. Does it require all 8 pins, or are there various pin
configurations for different functions?

I'm a USB/Firewire guy, so all this old technology is driving me nuts.

Any help appreciated.

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David Empson - 25 Sep 2007 13:46 GMT

Michael Cirivello <cirivello@comcast.net> wrote:

> I'm using a piece of Mac point-of-sale software that insists on a
> serial-based receipt printer. I have to use a USB Keyspan twin serlal cable
> that connects to my iMac, then connect an Apple IIe to ImageWriter II Printer
> Cable DB25-M/Mini8-M to the Keyspan.

Which ImageWriter model do you have? It sounds like you are using the
original ImageWriter (which has a DB-25 female connector) rather than
the ImageWriter II (which has a Mini-Din 8 connector).

> I'm still getting no response from the printer, and the software tech help
> insists that all the parameters on the program are correct.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> assume that there's no difference in make-up between this and one
> manufactured for the US?

Should be identical.

> I downloaded the newest Kepyspan driver software from the website -- would
> this cause any kind of problem due to the Japanese hardware?

I doubt it.

> Now, the really dumb question. The Imagewriter cable mini8 end has only 4
> pins sticking out. Does it require all 8 pins, or are there various pin
> configurations for different functions?

In total, the eight pins on the Mac/ImageWriter II Mini-Din 8 are:

Handshake Out
Handshake In
Transmit Data Negative
Signal Ground
Receive Data Negative
Transmit Data Positive
General Purpose Input
Receive Data Positive

If connecting to an RS-232 device like an ImageWriter 1, only the
"negative" data lines are used, but the receive data positive pin must
be connected to ground to be able to receive anything.

To connect to a serial printer, the bare minimum would be three pins:
signal ground, transmit data (negative) and handshake in. This would
allow transmission of data with the ability to wait while the printer is
busy (handshake in).

If that cable is intended to connect an Apple IIe to an ImageWriter II,
it should be wired to allow data to be transmitted from the DB-25 to the
Mini-Din 8, and flow control to go the other way.

Unfortunately that is the exact opposite of what you need.

Here is the pin numbering of the Mini-Din-8. The following picture is
looking into the socket, or into the back of the Mini-Din-8 plug on the
cable.

8 7 6

5 4 3

2 1

1 HShkOut
2 HShkIn
3 TxD-
4 Gnd
5 RxD-
6 TxD+
7 GPI/DCD
8 RxD+

I expect your cable has pins 1, 4, 5 and 8 connected. You need the
signals on pins 2, 3 and 4.

If I'm right and you have a continuity tester handy, you'll probably
find the following cable pinout. Note that pins 4 and 8 should be
connected together.

MD8 DB-25
1 5 (CTS)
4,8 7 (Gnd)
5 2 (TxD)

The cable you need should probably be wired as follows. I'm assuming
that the ImageWriter 1 uses DTR as the "not busy" flow control output.

MD8 DB-25
2 20 (DTR)
3 3 (RxD)
4 7 (Gnd)

If you want a bidirectional cable, combine both of the above.

You don't need to connect MD8 pin 7 (GPI). It is normally used for a
carrier detect input with a modem.

Signature

David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / September 2007

HELP with old Imagewriter cable info