TechNote TI MAC-001
Installing a TI printer on a Macintosh
6 Oct 2000

·Legacy· Technical support has been discontinued for all listed models.

Summary: This document contains step by step instructions to connect the microLaser to a Mac. Includes connectivity (classic, G3, G4, iMac, PowerBook G3, iBook) and driver installation.

Note: If part of the installation does not work, read this note again. Skipping any part of the installation can cause problems.

• Before installing the driver, ensure the printer is properly connected to the Mac and can be seen in the Chooser. If the printer does not show in the Chooser, refer to TechNote MAC-002.
• The microLaser and microWriter printers have connections for parallel and LocalTalk (AppleTalk) (Serial and Ethernet interfaces are optional).
• With the introduction of the iMac and continuing with all new Macs, the LocalTalk interface on the Mac has been discontinued. The new Mac systems now include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and many models include Ethernet.
• The PowerBook G3 can be connected Ethernet or USB. The round port is a S-Video connector.
• The iBook can be connected Ethernet or USB.
• The printer can be connected to the Mac via a USB to Parallel or Ethernet to LocalTalk adapter. It has been found that the Ethernet to LocalTalk adapters generally provide better perfomance by running the printer in PostScript mode.

  The parallel adapters typically require that the printer operate in HP mode, not allowing access to all the printer fonts and features. For example, a microLaser Pro/12 with such an adapter would be limited to 300 DPI.

• The following adapters will not work:

Keyspan USB Twin Serial Adapter USA-28x
Belkin USB Serial Adapter
Belkin F5U002 USB Parallel Printer Adapter (this model is for the PC platform only).
MicroConnectors E07-142 USB Serial Adapter

TallyGenicom has not tested all products. This list is not all inclusive.

• The following vendors provide adapters.

Asanté

- AsantéTalk - Ethernet to LocalTalk
[This kit has two Ethernet cables- use the correct one per the documentation]

ATen
Belkin

- USB Parallel Printer Adapter for Macintosh F5U002-BLU
[The printer must be set to HP mode and the included MacJET software must be installed]

Entrega
Farallon

- Farallon EtherMac iPrint LT (EtherTalk to LocalTalk) PN559
[This kit has two Ethernet cables- use the correct one per the documentation]

Strydent Software

- PowerPrint series

MacSense

- ShareTalk EA500 (EtherTalk to LocalTalk)
[This kit has two Ethernet cables- use the correct one per the documentation]

Software 2000

TallyGenicom has not tested all products. Specific adapters listed above have been reported to work by customers. Contact the vendor for compatability. This list is not all inclusive.

• The Apple LocalTalk Bridge can be used to bridge between LocalTalk and EtherTalk. Thus, the printer can be connected LocalTalk to an older Mac (7100, 6400, etc). The older Mac is then connected to a new Mac (iMac, G4, etc.) via EtherTalk. The Bridge software makes the connection between the two networks.

Download and install the following:

• Stuffit Expander from Aladdin Systems: This free utility will be used to expand the compressed PPD files.
• PPD (PostScript Printer Description) drivers: The PPD file is a text document that contains a description of the printer's capabilities and options. The PPD package ti.sit.hqx includes all TI microLaser and microWriter printers (except the microLaser Win/4- this does not have Mac connectivity).

After extracting this package with Stuffit Expander, a folder named texasinstruments will be created. Note the location of this folder.

Note: The PPD files are not Chooser extensions. Refer to the rest of this note for usage.

• AdobePS from Adobe: Download the desired language version and install it on the Mac.

 Printer status report:

• Print the printer status report.
• The report will indicate the version (2013, 2014, 2015, etc) and the number of PostScript fonts. (For older microLaser series, print the PS font report and count the number of fonts.
• The driver name in the PPD package will be based on the printer model, the version, and the number of PostScript fonts.

  Thus, for a microLaser Pro 600, version 2013, with 65 PostScript fonts, the PPD name will be microLaser Pro 600 2013 PS65.

To install a PPD file:

• From the Apple menu, select Chooser.
• Click on the AdobePS icon.
• The attached printers should show up in the Select dialog box. If the desired printer does not show, it is an interface problem, not a driver problem.

  If the printer does not show in the Chooser, refer to TechNote MAC-002.

• Click on the desired printer, then click on Create.
• A dialog will open prompting to select a PostScript Printer Description.
• Navigate to the texasinstruments folder. Select the desired printer from the list of PPD files, then click on Select.
• The Chooser will build the desktop printer.
• Select the printer again, then select Setup
• Click on Configure. Set any Installed Options as needed. Select OK when finished.
• When finished, select OK, then close the Chooser window.

  Copyright © 2000 TallyGenicom, Specifications subject to change without notice. ® All trademarks are property of their respective holders at the time of this publication. If you have any questions or comments regarding this document, please contact TallyGenicom Technical Support. TallyGenicom has taken care to ensure that the information is complete, accurate and up-to-date. However, TallyGenicom assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions which may occur. All the information provided is subject to change from time to time at the sole discretion of TallyGenicom. This information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. TallyGenicom disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall TallyGenicom, or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if TallyGenicom, or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.