I've encountered an AppleTalk problem I can't figure out. Here's what's
happening:

I have an iBook and an iMac each running 10.2.8. Neither are new machines;
they both originally shipped with OS 9. I am trying to hook them up to an
even older HP LaserJet 4M Plus. The iBook was connected to another HP
LaserJet 4M Plus when it ran OS 9, but the iMac, which I bought used, never
ran a 4M Plus as far as I know.

The iBook has no problem connecting to the printer via AppleTalk in OS X, but
the iMac won't connect. When I try to add the printer in Print Center on the
iMac, it tells me AppleTalk is not active even when it is. I've double and
triple checked that I'm using the right location and network configurations
in the Network control panel. In addition, when I select "AppleTalk" in the
top pop-up menu in Print Center's printer selection panel, "Local AppleTalk
Zone" in the second menu is blanked out. What puzzles me is that this happens
only when I hook the iMac to the printer. When I hook the iMac to my DSL line
or to the iBook, the Local AppleTalk Zone choice in the second pop-up menu
appears normally (though, of course, I can't access the printer that way).

I've looked for missing PPDs on the iMac, but haven't yet found anything on
the iBook that isn't also on the iMac. However, I'm not exactly sure what to
look for in that regard. I did run the LaserJet's installation software on
the iMac. Anyone have any ideas why the iMac would behave differently than
the iBook when they're running the same OS and (apparently) have the same
PPDs?

Wayne





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In article <0001HW.BCE511A200385000F0509600@Text-West.Newsfeeds.com>,
WorldWideWayne <WeEat@Spam.com> wrote:

> I've encountered an AppleTalk problem I can't figure out. Here's what's
> happening:
>
> I have an iBook and an iMac each running 10.2.8. Neither are new machines;
> they both originally shipped with OS 9. I am trying to hook them up to an
> even older HP LaserJet 4M Plus. The iBook was connected to another HP
> LaserJet 4M Plus when it ran OS 9, but the iMac, which I bought used, never
> ran a 4M Plus as far as I know.
>
> The iBook has no problem connecting to the printer via AppleTalk in OS X, but
> the iMac won't connect. When I try to add the printer in Print Center on the
> iMac, it tells me AppleTalk is not active even when it is. I've double and
> triple checked that I'm using the right location and network configurations
> in the Network control panel. In addition, when I select "AppleTalk" in the
> top pop-up menu in Print Center's printer selection panel, "Local AppleTalk
> Zone" in the second menu is blanked out. What puzzles me is that this happens
> only when I hook the iMac to the printer. When I hook the iMac to my DSL line
> or to the iBook, the Local AppleTalk Zone choice in the second pop-up menu
> appears normally (though, of course, I can't access the printer that way).
>
> I've looked for missing PPDs on the iMac, but haven't yet found anything on
> the iBook that isn't also on the iMac. However, I'm not exactly sure what to
> look for in that regard. I did run the LaserJet's installation software on
> the iMac. Anyone have any ideas why the iMac would behave differently than
> the iBook when they're running the same OS and (apparently) have the same
> PPDs?
>
> Wayne

How are you connecting them? Are you using a USB adaptor? I thought
the 4 series only had parallel and LocalTalk.

You might want to check the "AppleTalk" setting in the "Directory
Access" utility. /Applications/Utilities/"Directory Access" Be sure it
is turned on. This is supposed to enable/disable service discovery via
Appletalk.

--
Walt Sellers
Computer Engineer For Hire
www.VirtualOutpost.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons; for thou art
crunchy and good with ketchup. -unknown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 00:22:08 -0500, Walt Sellers wrote
(in article <wsellers-9C8424.22220806062004@news.west.cox.net>):

> How are you connecting them? Are you using a USB adaptor? I thought
> the 4 series only had parallel and LocalTalk.
>
> You might want to check the "AppleTalk" setting in the "Directory
> Access" utility. /Applications/Utilities/"Directory Access" Be sure it
> is turned on. This is supposed to enable/disable service discovery via
> Appletalk.

I'm using Ethernet. This printer had an after-market Ethernet card added to
it. I checked Directory Access, and AppleTalk is enabled there.

Thanks

WWW





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In article <40c43150_1@127.0.0.1>, WorldWideWayne <WeEat@Spam.com>
wrote:

> On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 00:22:08 -0500, Walt Sellers wrote
> (in article <wsellers-9C8424.22220806062004@news.west.cox.net>):
>
> > How are you connecting them? Are you using a USB adaptor? I thought
> > the 4 series only had parallel and LocalTalk.
> >
> > You might want to check the "AppleTalk" setting in the "Directory
> > Access" utility. /Applications/Utilities/"Directory Access" Be sure it
> > is turned on. This is supposed to enable/disable service discovery via
> > Appletalk.
>
> I'm using Ethernet. This printer had an after-market Ethernet card added to
> it. I checked Directory Access, and AppleTalk is enabled there.
>

OK, I'm thinking now that you're describing a direct ethernet connection
here. This isn't as simple as it seems.

All iBooks from dual-USB on have had an auto-reversing ethernet
connection. Only the 17-inch iMacs and later have this. This would
create the symptoms you describe.

Ethernet takes a little getting used to. You might think of it as
having 2 kinds of connectors, one forward, one reverse. The connectors
in computers and printers would all be forward. The connectors in
hubs/cable modems/routers are reversed (except the upload connector).
Connections only happen when a forward is connected to a reverse. (This
is because the forward connector "talks" on the pair of wires to which
the reverse connector "listens" and vice-versa. Its kind of like putting
the correct sides of the phone to your ear and mouth.)

Since the iBook can auto-reverse itself, it can connect to the DSL
modem, the iMac and the printer. The iMac can't connect to the printer
because that would connect a forward port to a forward port. When the
iMac connects to the iBook, the iBook will switch itself to a reverse
connector.

To connect the iMac to the printer, you'll either need a special
ethernet connector called a "cross-over" cable, or an ethernet hub
(which is not much more expensive these days.)

The hub has an added benefit for you. You'll be able to connect both
macs to the printer at the same time (not to mention use file sharing
and possibly share the internet connection.)

Its possible that your DSL modem is already a hub. If it has more than
one ethernet port, connect all 3 to it.

Does that help?
--
Walt Sellers
Computer Engineer For Hire
www.VirtualOutpost.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons; for thou art
crunchy and good with ketchup. -unknown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 00:41:44 -0500, Walt Sellers wrote
(in article <wsellers-79CFC3.22414407062004@news.west.cox.net>):

> Does that help?
>

Yes, this is very helpful. In fact, I bet you nailed it, though I'll have to
get a hub to be sure. This is a good excuse for me to get a hub, something I
probably should have done long ago.

Thanks for the help!

WWW





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G'day all,

Can I just say, that is one of the best explinations that I have read.
Ever.

Well done WorldWide!

respect.

Mikey Mike


In article <wsellers-79CFC3.22414407062004@news.west.cox.net>, Walt
Sellers <wsellers@mindspring.com> wrote:

> Ethernet takes a little getting used to. You might think of it as
> having 2 kinds of connectors, one forward, one reverse. The connectors
> in computers and printers would all be forward. The connectors in
> hubs/cable modems/routers are reversed (except the upload connector).
> Connections only happen when a forward is connected to a reverse. (This
> is because the forward connector "talks" on the pair of wires to which
> the reverse connector "listens" and vice-versa. Its kind of like putting
> the correct sides of the phone to your ear and mouth.)
>
> Since the iBook can auto-reverse itself, it can connect to the DSL
> modem, the iMac and the printer. The iMac can't connect to the printer
> because that would connect a forward port to a forward port. When the
> iMac connects to the iBook, the iBook will switch itself to a reverse
> connector.
>
> To connect the iMac to the printer, you'll either need a special
> ethernet connector called a "cross-over" cable, or an ethernet hub
> (which is not much more expensive these days.)
>
> The hub has an added benefit for you. You'll be able to connect both
> macs to the printer at the same time (not to mention use file sharing
> and possibly share the internet connection.)
>
> Its possible that your DSL modem is already a hub. If it has more than
> one ethernet port, connect all 3 to it.
>
> Does that help?

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 05:40:35 -0500, Mikey Mike wrote
(in article <110620042041016801%they.are@it.again.com>):

> G'day all,
>
> Can I just say, that is one of the best explinations that I have read.
> Ever.
>
> Well done WorldWide!
>
> respect.
>
> Mikey Mike


Thanks for the compliment, but I don't deserve it. I was just the schmuck who
couldn't figure his printer out.

Walt Sellers gets credit for that explanation. You're right, it was superb.

WWW





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In article <0001HW.BCEF0FB101D28686F058A600@Text-West.Newsfeeds.com>,
WorldWideWayne <WeEat@Spam.com> wrote:

> On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 05:40:35 -0500, Mikey Mike wrote
> (in article <110620042041016801%they.are@it.again.com>):
>
> > G'day all,
> >
> > Can I just say, that is one of the best explinations that I have read.
> > Ever.
> >
> > Well done WorldWide!
> >
> > respect.
> >
> > Mikey Mike
>
>
> Thanks for the compliment, but I don't deserve it. I was just the schmuck who
> couldn't figure his printer out.
>
> Walt Sellers gets credit for that explanation. You're right, it was superb.
>
> WWW

Always happy to help.

Thanks
--
Walt Sellers
Computer Engineer For Hire
www.VirtualOutpost.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons; for thou art
crunchy and good with ketchup. -unknown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=