G3s and a PC

[Bleeding Edge]

There are 5 G3s on a local network. An Epson inkjet connected to one G3 as a shared printer. There is a HP LaserJet network printer. This is connected with a printer-server card in the back of the printer and, I believe, connected directly to a network hub. Most likely, since they are Macs, they are using AppleTalk.

What I'd like to know, is, what is the best way to connect the lone Win98 PC so that it can use both printers.

What issues am I looking at...

[toms111]

I don't think the loan PC can use the printer that is connected directly to the MAC. If it is possible, it would take a pretty complicated third party application to allow the PC to print using appletalk and probably a postscript driver for the PC which is unlikly to be available for an inkjet which connects directly to a MAC.
The PC should be able to print directly to your HP network printer without much dificulty. First, you need to make sure the printer is configured to allow multiple protocols. Unless someone intentionally disabled it, it is probably ok. Default is to allow language switching.
Since you only have one W98 machine, you need to load the HP jetadmin software on the W98 PC. This is availble on the W98 cdrom or you can download latest version from HP. Got to the folder on W98 CDROM: Drivers/Printers/jetadmin/disk1 and run setup. Assuming the jetadmin utilities can see the HP printer, everything should be cool. The jetadmin software is pretty easy. You can then add the printer and select the jetadmin port. Hp Network pinters (with Postscript) do a good job switching back and forth between MAC's and PC's. E-mail me if you have problems.

I just reread your post. To do this the way I discussed above, you first need to configure an NIC in the PC and hook it to the ethernet. If this is a problem, you can also hook directly to the HP printer using a regular printer cable but the PC has to be close to the Printer.

[Bleeding Edge]

This is informative toms111. Thank you for your prompt reply.

I have an extra Intel Pro100 adapter that can be installed into the stand-alone PC in order to make the connection you discussed. Each station has a wall jack for, what I presume, is a RJ45 connection.

Is the typical Category 5 cable with it's straight-thru wires the cable to use here? (As oppossed to the cross-over wires.)

-I will search the Win98/98SE CD for the JetAdmin soft. I'm will be on my way to navigate HP's site for the most recent version after posting.-

Moving the laser printer and the hub may be a problem but that certainly would be the ideal way to go!

Actually, come to think of it, I believe the Epson has both a PC parallel connection and the typical Mac printer connection, however, it also is on the other side of the room.

Thanks again toms111.

Any other insights are welcomed.


Sincerely,
Edge.

[toms111]

A straight through cable is used. Just make sure that the wall connection is "Hot". By hot, I mean connected to a hub.

If, as you say, the Epson has both a PC parallel connection and Mac printer conection, another possibility comes to mind. Using the PC parallel connection, you could purchase an external "print server" which is just a small box that plugs into the network and is connected to the parallel port connection on the printer. HP makes a good one that can be accessed using the same Jetadmin software on the W98 machine. A word of caution before making such a purchase. Make sure that the Epson can use both the Mac and PC connections at the same time. (I don't know about the Epson, but at least one Cannon inkjet that I have worked with required the setting of dip switch to select which of the interfaces gets used. You had to pick one or the other, but not both.) And I think it unlikley that the Macs coud print to the Epson, through the network, through the printserver, through the parallel connection.

Your statement about moving the laser printer and the hub confused me. All I ment was that you can either connect the PC to the ethernet and use Jetadmin, or if physicaly practicle, hook the PC directly to the HP printer.

[Bleeding Edge]

The PC is located next to a hot wall connection. The use of the straight-thru cable is duly noted.

Thank you for making me aware of HP's external "print server" box. Whether it is used or not, is good to know such a device is available for purchase. I'll look into it over at HP's site. By the way, HP indeed had an later version of JetAdmin than the one the Win98 CD.

The comment about moving the printer closer to the PC was for a making a direct connection to the LaserJet..and, if the Epson allowed, making a direct connection to it too. (The hub is located right next to the HP, hence the reference to the hub.)

As it looks now, neither the PC or printers will be physically rearranged. -Something I have no say in.

That leaves us with the NIC solution; attaching to at least one printer.

Maybe moving just the Epson between the PC station and one of the closer G3 stations, will be an allowable compromise. That or it's bringing in another 11x17 Epson Photo printer. At least the large-format plotter is to be used only with the PC...

My sincere thanks, toms111.
Edge.

[toms111]

I have another though concerning the use of your Epson printer. If you can install a PostScrip driver for the printer on the W98 machine, you can set it up to print to a file. This leaves you with the problem of getting the printfile to one of your macs. Depending on the size of the file, you might be able to zip it and copy it to a PC floppy and since Macs can read PC floppies, all you would need is a mac utility to unzip the file, then use the MAC to send the print file to the printer. Alternativly, I seem to remember some 3rd party Mac software that would allow one of the G3's to transfer files from a shared directory on the PC using the network. Neither of these solutions are very elegent, but some food for your thought.

Note: I am a couple years behind on Macs but I am assuming that all Macs still require Post Script printers.

[Bleeding Edge]

I'm behind on Macs myself...

May have to resort to primative-tech. You know ..walk across the room.. with a floppy or Zip disk; or if the circumstance requires, a Jaz.

The PC does have DataViz's Conversion Plus soft. It reads, writes and formats MAC floppies, Zips and Jaz disks. It's pretty neat for what it is. Any one of those disks can be inserted into the equivalent PC's drive and it will see the files fine. It also converts the file to pc format and vis versa.

DataViz may actually make the soft you refered to. Definitely food for thought.

I can do with some real food now. Thanks.

Now where did I put those box of Popsicles...?!??

[emcron]

I dont know if this would help but I was just reading the august 1999 Computer Shopper and on page 244 there is something that might help. Its Dave 2.1

[Bleeding Edge]

I was able to look at the article on their web site http://www.zdnet.com/products/storie...408946,00.html Seems like it connects a Macs to PC networks. The opposite of what I need. But they did have reference to one soft product, Miramar's PC MacLAN, that connects a PC to a Mac network. This is good.

It is satisfying to know that a question posted here provides all these useful resolutions from a meeting a few of minds.

This too, is good.

Edge.

[BBA]

If all you want is printer sharing, why not use DLC (I think it's DLC), it works for Mac and Win for printers, configure it on PC's and enable at the printer.

BBA

[Bleeding Edge]

DLC would be related to the JetAdmin/print-server solution.

DLC is configured at the print-server and a soft like HP's JetAdmin utility would be used on the PC...