How to communicate with a Macintosh: Models: 524xx/524xxP
How to communicate with a Macintosh: Models: 524xx/524xxP
The User's Guide P/N for the 524xx plotters is M0014-850 and M0016-180
for the 524xxP.
A. HOW DO YOU CONNECT THE PLOTTER TO A MACINTOSH:
Note: This plotter series DOES NOT support PostScript or the
AppleTalk interface.
1. CONNECT ONE OF THE PLOTTER'S SERIAL PORTS TO THE MAC'S MODEM
PORT :
a. This requires CalComp P/N 16623-0029 a specially
designed cable which is connected directly to the Mac's
Modem port (a mini DIN-8, RS-232 serial interface) and
one of the plotter's serial ports. This cable can be
extended in length by 25 feet with CalComp cable P/N
11772-0250. The maximum serial cable length is 50 feet,
unless a specially designed cable is acquired. For
information on custom cables see the problem summary,
WHAT KIND OF CABLE DO I NEED FOR THE PLOTTER?
2. CONFIGURE ONE OF THE PLOTTER'S SERIAL PORTS FOR THE PLOTTER
DRIVER:
a. For most CAD applications (the one exception being
AutoCAD), CalComp recommends MacPlot Professional.
MacPlot Professional is a Chooser level driver supplied
by Microspot (408-257-4000). MacPlot Professional fully
supports the CalComp 907/PCI standard. For more details,
please see the problem summary note; WHAT DRIVER SHOULD
BE USED WITH A MACINTOSH.
b. The plotter's port configuration must match that of the
application's 907/PCI plot driver. This is the sync code
vale, the number of sync codes, the end of record code
(also called EOM or EOB), the checksum (either ON or
OFF), and the stepsize (either 400 or 2032). If you are
using MacPlot Professional, here is the required default
port configuration (If your particular CalComp plotter
model is not listed, select ANY 907/PCI model listed.
For example; the 104x or 102x series will work fine.):
Sync code = 2, # of Syncs = 1, EOM = 3, Checksum = NO,
Stepsize = 2032
The default serial configuration MacPlot uses is: 9600
baud, 7 data bits,1 stop bit, and EVEN parity (9600, 7,
1, E), and CTS (hardware) handshake.
Here is the AutoCAD 12/13 default 907/PCI file
configuration:
Sync = 16, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 0D, Checksum = YES,
Stepsize = 400
9600 baud, 7 data bits,1 stop bit, and EVEN parity
(9600, 7, 1, E), and CTS (hardware) handshake.
Here is the AutoCAD 10/11 default 907/PCI file
configuration:
Sync = 16, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 0D, Checksum = YES,
Stepsize = 2032
9600 baud, 7 data bits,1 stop bit, and EVEN parity
(9600, 7, 1, E), and either ACK/NAK (preferred) or
XON/XOFF handshake.
2. HOW TO MAKE A CENTRONICS PARALLEL CONNECTION:
The Mac is not manufactured to support a centronics parallel
interface. They do, depending on the model type, provide a
certain number of open slots so that an interface card could
be added. This note refers only to the MacPlot raster mode
driver, which require a parallel interface.
a. The plotter's parallel port can be used with a Mac if
the customer purchases MacPlot Electrostatic DMA (NOTE:
The MONO version of MacPlot Raster designed for
CalComp's mono inkjets may also support the 524xx
plotters - please contact Microspot at 408-257-4000 for
the latest driver update info). This package comes with
a CCRF raster driver and a parallel card for the Mac. It
works ONLY on the plotter's parallel port. This driver
will allow customers to plot anything from the Mac,
including photos and gradient fills, etc., however, it
is not the best choice when the you want to run strictly
CAD applications. This is because it is vector mode
driver is optimized for CAD and can plot CAD entities
much faster than a raster mode driver.
3. HOW TO VERIFY THE PLOTTER'S PORT CONFIGURATION:
Run the plotter's self-test (see the User's Guide, pg 1-16).
The Plotter's firmware revision and a listing for each port (3
serial and 1 parallel) is printed on the self-test (called a
CONFIDENCE PLOT). Here are the steps to run the Confidence
Plot (the entire sequence should take less than 10 seconds.
The Confidence Plot will then take a couple of minutes to
plot): If you can't get the CONFIDENCE PLOT to run, Call
CalComp for further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
a. The plotter is ONLINE when the ONLINE light is on. Press
the ONLINE button one time to take the plotter OFFLINE.
b. Now press and hold the PAPER FEED button. While holding
the PAPER FEED button, momentarily press the ONLINE
button and then let go of both. The Confidence Plot will
now begin to process (watch for the blinking ONLINE
light).
4. HOW TO CHANGE THE PLOTTER'S PORT CONFIGURATION:
There are two ways to change the plotter's ports. One is with
a DUMB TERMINAL which is setup to talk to the plotter's
TERMINAL port (using OPCOM) and the other is with a CDCL file.
Details on using these methods are found in the problem
summaries; HOW TO USE CDCL and HOW TO SETUP A TERMINAL FOR
OPCOM. Of these two methods, OPCOM is highly recommended for
the Mac.
Communications programs which can be used in terminal mode
(OPCOM) on the Apple Macintosh are: ZTERM ( shareware
program), White Knight and Microphone (commercial programs).
ZTERM can also be used for creating and sending CDCL files to
the plotter from the Mac, however, using CDCL files on a Mac
is cumbersome at best and is not normally recommended.
B. THE PLOTTER IS NOT RESPONDING ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER AND CABLE ARE
CORRECT :
1. Run the CONFIDENCE PLOT (listed here as NOTE #A3, and given in
the User's Guide in chapter 1, page 16). If the confidence
plot runs it will verify that the plotter is functionally
sound and give you a list the current port settings (a port
mismatch is one of the most common problems).
2. CONFIRM YOUR CABLE CONNECTION: Double check that your cable is
connected to the plotter COM port configured to work with your
Mac software plotter driver. Be sure there is good, solid
connection. Be sure that it IS the correct type of cable
specified by CalComp's documentation.
3. Be sure the plotter is ONLINE. (ONLINE light should be ON
steady)
4. Be sure the plotter and your software application driver match
(see Note #A2 above for MacPlot Professional). If you are not
using a driver supplied by Microspot, please refer to your
application software's help references. You must be certain
that the plotter port is configured to match the plot code
format being created by the plotter driver. CalComp does not
provide in-depth assistance on any product other than the ones
we manufacture.
5. IF A SWITCH BOX IS BEING USED: (A/B manual or electronic)
Switch boxes often create connectivity problems which can only
be isolated and confirmed by removing the switch box and
running a test. Remove the switch box and try to run another
plot from your application. If the plotter now works correctly
then you may be sure that there is good basic connectivity
with your Mac computer and the CalComp plotter.
CalComp provides assistance only on equipment which we
manufacture. If problems appear to occur only while a switch
box is connected, please contact the switch box manufacturer's
help line or consult their support documentation.
6. OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES:
a. Defective cable
b. Defective computer MODEM port
c. Defective CalComp plotter COM port (or parallel port if
MacPlot DMA is being used)
7. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES:
This step (a) presumes that the port configuration on the
plotter matches EXACTLY what is setup on the Mac, and the
plotter is able to run its Confidence Plot.
a. SERIAL CABLE TEST: Test the serial cable for correct
*pin assignments, electrical continuity, and possible
shorts (A short occurs when cable wires which should be
isolated are connected to one another. For example;
pin's 1 on both ends of the cable are supposed to be
connected and test OK, however, pin 1 and pin 3 also
test as being connected - this is a short). *Call
CalComp for assistance IF you do not know what your
cable's wiring is supposed to be.
Another way to test is to try a second serial cable that
is currently working with another printer or plotter.
Be sure the second serial cable meets the CalComp
plotter requirements. If your tests prove that you have
a good serial cable but the plotter still does not work
Call CalComp for further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
b. PARALLEL CABLE: One way to test a centronics parallel
cable is to connect it to any other device which
supports parallel (MOST printers have a centronics
parallel port) and is currently in use as a parallel
device. If the cable being tested does not work, it is
probably defective. If it does work, either the plotter
port setup is wrong, the plotter port is defective or
the computer port is defective.
Another way to test is to try a second parallel cable
that is currently working with another printer or
plotter.
c. THE COMPUTER OR PLOTTER MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE INTERFACE:
This step presumes you have a good cable, the port
configuration on the plotter matches EXACTLY what is
setup on the Mac, and the plotter is able to run its
Confidence Plot.
i. SERIAL INTERFACE: The Mac may give a
communications error if it has an internal hardware
problem (refer to your Mac helpline or
documentation for further information on error
messages which are displayed). Whether or not Mac
system errors have been displayed, perform the
following test:
ia. Reboot the Mac while holding the SHIFT key
(this allows the Mac system to come WITHOUT
loading any INIT programs).
ib. Try to plot again. If the plotter works
there is apparently a system conflict on your
Mac involving one or more of the INIT
programs. CalComp does provide assistance in
isolating and resolving system conflicts.
ic. If there were NO error messages and the
plotter still doesn't work, try a different
computer. ANY computer (IBM or Mac) can be
used to test the plotter further. If another
computer setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cable is used
and the plotter does not work, call CalComp
for further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
ii. PARALLEL INTERFACE: The Mac may give a
communications error if there it has an internal
hardware problem (refer to your Mac helpline or
documentation for further information on error
messages which are displayed). Whether or not Mac
system errors have been displayed, perform the
following test:
iia. Reboot the Mac while holding the SHIFT key
(this allows the Mac system to come WITHOUT
loading any INIT programs).
iib. Try to plot again. If the plotter works
there is apparently a system conflict on your
Mac involving one or more of the INIT
programs. CalComp does provide assistance in
isolating and resolving system conflicts.
iic. If there were NO error messages and the
plotter still doesn't work, try a different
computer. ANY computer (IBM or Mac) can be
used to test the plotter further. If another
computer setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cable is used
and the plotter does not work, call CalComp
for further assistance 1-800-CALCOMP
(800-225-2667).