Serial cable for ImageWriter II printer

[Chris Tobar]

I found an ImageWriter II printer in a thrift shop earlier, and I really want to try hooking it up to my Apple II+. I also installed a Super Serial Card recently. I mentioned this in another topic, but I'm still having a hard time finding the cable to connect the printer to the computer. I tried a local electronics shop near where I live that has a lot of vintage parts, and he didn't have the right cable. The person I bought the serial card from may not have a cable either. Does anyone by chance have a spare cable they could sell for a reasonable price?

As a last resort, I might be able to make a cable with parts from the electronic shop, but I would need to know the pinout, which connections go where. I'm anxious to get this printer going. I haven't seen a dot matrix printer working since I was a little kid! Ha! Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.
-Chris

[James Davis]

Hi Chris,

Here are some Asimov downloads that might have the info you need to find or make the cable you need:

ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple%20II%20Family%20Pinouts.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Pinouts,%20Ports,%20and%20Cables.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/PINOUTS.TXT
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/apple3/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20III%20Software%20and%20Hardware.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20II%20Hardware.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/misc/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20II%20Software.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Service%20Source%20-%20Apple%20Modems.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Service%20Source%20-%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple-imagewriter-ii-8703.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20-%20Quick%20Reference%20Card.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20Technical%20Reference%20Manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20Technical%20Procedures%20-%20ImageWriter%20II.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple_imagewriter_ii.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple_imagewriter_ii_special_installation_instructions.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/ImageWriter%20II_SheetFeeder%20Installation%20Manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Sams%20Technical%20-%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/schematics/AppleSchematics%20-%20IMAGEWRITER.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/misc/ImageWriter%20II%20Print%20Samples.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/non-english/french/apple/apple_toolkitimagewriter_disks.zip
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20ImageWriter%20tool%20kit%201.5%20on%20800k%20image.2mg
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20Imagewriter%20Toolkit%20v1.0.dsk
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20ImageWriter%20Toolkit%20v1.0A.dsk
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/APPLE_IMAGEWRITER_TOOLKIT_v1.5.dsk
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/a2_Super_Serial_Card_installation%20and%20operating_Manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/a2_Super_Serial_Card_user's_manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Box%202.JPG
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Box.jpg
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Errata.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Front.jpg
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Installation%20and%20Operating%20Manual%201981.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Reference%20Card.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Schematics%20050-0045-A.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20User's%20Manual%201985.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20User's%20Manual.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Dip%20Switch%20Settings%20Sticker.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Manual%20Complete.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Reference%20Card.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/apple_ii_super_serial_card_-_reference_card.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/super-serial-card-packing-list.pdf
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/emulators/rom_images/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20ROM%20-%20341-0065-A.bin
ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/schematics/super_serial_card_050-0045-a_schematic.pdf

Hope this helps,

James Davis

[D Finnigan]

James Davis wrote:
> Hi Chris,
>
> Here are some Asimov downloads that might have the info you need to find
> or
> make the cable you need:
>
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple%20II%20Family%20Pinouts.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Pinouts,%20Ports,%20and%20Cables.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/PINOUTS.TXT
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/apple3/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20III%20Software%20and%20Hardware.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20II%20Hardware.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/misc/Tech%20Info%20Library%20-%20Apple%20II%20Software.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Service%20Source%20-%20Apple%20Modems.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Service%20Source%20-%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple-imagewriter-ii-8703.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20-%20Quick%20Reference%20Card.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20Technical%20Reference%20Manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20Technical%20Procedures%20-%20ImageWriter%20II.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple_imagewriter_ii.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/apple_imagewriter_ii_special_installation_instructions.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/ImageWriter%20II_SheetFeeder%20Installation%20Manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Sams%20Technical%20-%20Imagewriter%20II.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/schematics/AppleSchematics%20-%20IMAGEWRITER.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/misc/ImageWriter%20II%20Print%20Samples.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/non-english/french/apple/apple_toolkitimagewriter_disks.zip
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20ImageWriter%20tool%20kit%201.5%20on%20800k%20image.2mg
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20Imagewriter%20Toolkit%20v1.0.dsk
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/Apple%20ImageWriter%20Toolkit%20v1.0A.dsk
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/productivity/graphics/misc/APPLE_IMAGEWRITER_TOOLKIT_v1.5.dsk
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/a2_Super_Serial_Card_installation%20and%20operating_Manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/a2_Super_Serial_Card_user's_manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Box%202.JPG
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Box.jpg
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Errata.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Front.jpg
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Installation%20and%20Operating%20Manual%201981.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Reference%20Card.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20Schematics%20050-0045-A.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20-%20User's%20Manual%201985.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20User's%20Manual.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Dip%20Switch%20Settings%20Sticker.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Manual%20Complete.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/Apple%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20Reference%20Card.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/apple_ii_super_serial_card_-_reference_card.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/io/super_serial_card/super-serial-card-packing-list.pdf
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/emulators/rom_images/Apple%20II%20Super%20Serial%20Card%20ROM%20-%20341-0065-A.bin
> ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/schematics/super_serial_card_050-0045-a_schematic.pdf
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> James Davis
>

James, can you tell us which one of these files has the cable pinout?


--
]DF$
Apple II 40th Anniversary User's Guide:
http://macgui.com/newa2guide/

[James Davis]

Hi David,

"Apple II Family Pinouts.pdf"
<ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple%20II%20Family%20Pinouts.pdf>

has these two sections that may help:

"Apple IIc to Imagewriter II Printer"

and

"Apple ImageWriter Serial Connector"

See Schmidtd's pinout post also (above).

I have not looked at all of those docs/disks/zips/etc. listed. I have only looked at the first doc. I just looked the rest up in the Asimov Index.

James Davis

[Matthew Power]

I bought my imageWriter II cable on Ebay in November 2016 from Kraydad. i think I paid $10. I suggest you reach out to Kraydad.com

I just saw this one on ebay for $30 as well. Price is a bit high:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Apple-IIe-Serial-Cable-for-Imagewriter-II-8-Pin-Din-Serial-590-0555-A-/182589035392?hash=item2a83279380:g:clAAAOSwaeRZJMxM

When I return from vacation August 15th, I have new color ribbons for your ImageWriter II if you are interested.

matthewmpower at gmail dot com

[c***@yahoo.com]

Right on man! You Nailed it! For anyone else searching for this save some time.

ftp://public.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/printers/Apple%20ImageWriter%20II%20Technical%20Reference%20Manual.pdf

Starting on page 187...It's all there and more.

Cosmic_Zapped

[David Schmidt]

On 8/8/2017 11:37 PM, Chris Tobar wrote:
> [...]
> I'm still having a hard time finding the cable to connect the printer
> to the computer. I tried a local electronics shop near where I live
> that has a lot of vintage parts, and he didn't have the right cable.

Rare as hen's teeth: MiniDIN8 to DB-25. It'll be a special day indeed
if you find one for sale anywhere. Not rare as in valuable... just rare
in that not many people needed them, then or now.

> As a last resort, I might be able to make a cable with parts from the
> electronic shop, but I would need to know the pinout, which
> connections go where.

Ok, that we can do:

MD8 - DB25
1 - 6
1 - 8
2 - 20
3 - 3
4 - 7
5 - 2
8 - 7
Shield - Shield

So MD8-1 is jumpered to both DB25-6 and 8.
MD8-4 and 8 are both jumpered to DB25-7.

[Lisa2dotcom]

On Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 8:46:03 AM UTC-5, schmidtd wrote:
> On 8/8/2017 11:37 PM, Chris Tobar wrote:
> > [...]
> Rare as hen's teeth: MiniDIN8 to DB-25. It'll be a special day indeed
> if you find one for sale anywhere. Not rare as in valuable... just rare
> in that not many people needed them, then or now.

It may be HTF in 2017, but this type of cable was NOT rare in the day.

In addition to this application of connecting an IW2 to a SSC, this same cable was needed to connect any macintosh with Din 8 serial ports (made from 1986 thru 1997) to a standard external modem, or to connect a IW1 (or many other serial printers) to a Mac. The same applies to the Apple 2GS.

Keep looking, they are out there.

Rick

[Lisa2dotcom]

Just googled "DB25 to DIN 8 CABLE"

and this popped up:

http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/cabled/L1526?

[James Davis]

On Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 9:40:16 AM UTC-7, Lisa2dotcom wrote:
> Just googled "DB25 to DIN 8 CABLE"
>
> and this popped up:
>
> http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/cabled/L1526?

Just Binged "imagewriter ii serial cable" and got:

https://www.pimfg.com/product-detail/875-0606-555
http://www.applerescueofdenver.com/printers/serial-printers/apple-imagewriter-ii-printer-2/

[David Schmidt]

On 8/9/2017 11:59 AM, Lisa2dotcom wrote:
> On Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 8:46:03 AM UTC-5, schmidtd wrote:
>> On 8/8/2017 11:37 PM, Chris Tobar wrote:
>>> [...]
>> Rare as hen's teeth: MiniDIN8 to DB-25. It'll be a special day
>> indeed if you find one for sale anywhere. Not rare as in
>> valuable... just rare in that not many people needed them, then or
>> now.
>
> It may be HTF in 2017, but this type of cable was NOT rare in the
> day.
>
> In addition to this application of connecting an IW2 to a SSC, this
> same cable was needed to connect any macintosh with Din 8 serial
> ports (made from 1986 thru 1997) to a standard external modem, or to
> connect a IW1 (or many other serial printers) to a Mac. The same
> applies to the Apple 2GS.

Don't forget Lisa and Apple /// to IWII. All the most popular
combinations. ;-)

[Hugh Hood]

Chris,

Follow David's pinout, but start with a cable that _already_ has the MD-8 on
at least one end.

After you determine the wire colors, cut off the other end (non-MD-8) and
attach your DB-25 to it.

I once thought that I could easily handle soldering MD-8's. Yuk!





Hugh Hood



in article 7b9e69b3-30a6-4afd-8655-***@googlegroups.com, Chris
Tobar at ***@yahoo.com wrote on 8/8/17 10:37 PM:

>
> As a last resort, I might be able to make a cable with parts from the
> electronic shop, but I would need to know the pinout, which connections go
> where. I'm anxious to get this printer going. I haven't seen a dot matrix
> printe
> r working since I was a little kid! Ha! Thanks in advance for any help anyone
> can offer.
> -Chris

[Scott Alfter]

In article <7b9e69b3-30a6-4afd-8655-***@googlegroups.com>,
Chris Tobar <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I found an ImageWriter II printer in a thrift shop earlier, and I really
>want to try hooking it up to my Apple II+. I also installed a Super
>Serial Card recently. I mentioned this in another topic, but I'm still
>having a hard time finding the cable to connect the printer to the
>computer. I tried a local electronics shop near where I live that has a
>lot of vintage parts, and he didn't have the right cable.

I don't know that it'd be any easier to find locally in the current year,
but if you can find one, perhaps a Mac-to-external-modem cable might work.
It'll at least have the right connectors on each end. You'll then need to
flip around the null-modem block on your serial card to get the signals
through to where they need to go.

OTOH, perhaps eBay is the better way to go...found this as the first result
on a search for "Imagewriter II cable":

http://www.ebay.com/itm/282601266305

_/_
/ v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
(IIGS( https://alfter.us/ Top-posting!
\_^_/ >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet?

[Warren Ernst]

On Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 10:20:26 AM UTC-7, Scott Alfter wrote:
> In article <7b9e69b3-30a6-4afd-8655-***@googlegroups.com>,
> Chris Tobar <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >I found an ImageWriter II printer in a thrift shop earlier, and I really
> >want to try hooking it up to my Apple II+. I also installed a Super
> >Serial Card recently. I mentioned this in another topic, but I'm still
> >having a hard time finding the cable to connect the printer to the
> >computer. I tried a local electronics shop near where I live that has a
> >lot of vintage parts, and he didn't have the right cable.
>
> I don't know that it'd be any easier to find locally in the current year,
> but if you can find one, perhaps a Mac-to-external-modem cable might work.
> It'll at least have the right connectors on each end. You'll then need to
> flip around the null-modem block on your serial card to get the signals
> through to where they need to go.
>
> OTOH, perhaps eBay is the better way to go...found this as the first result
> on a search for "Imagewriter II cable":
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/282601266305
>
> _/_
> / v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
> (IIGS( https://alfter.us/ Top-posting!
> \_^_/ >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Here's another person on Ebay who seems to have sold at least 55 of these cables. He has one 5-star review of the cable directly and over close to 4000 transactions, his ebay rating is 99.6% positive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-6-ft-Imagewriter-I-Printer-Cable-8-pin-DB25/370346410145?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D45726%26meid%3D5439e2b8ae9c4e15bf9c037200b8c6e4%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D282601266305&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

I would estimate about 1.8 billion cables of this type were made back in the day. ;-) Finding one again should NOT be difficult thanks to the modern internet.

[Chris Tobar]

Thanks for the help everyone! I think I might just order one from that connectworld site.

Steven, it's pretty rare to come across vintage computer stuff at the thrift shops where I live too...so when I saw that printer and I realized what it was, I grabbed it!

Matthew, I'm definitely interested in the color catridges! Is that gmail address the best way to contact you?

[Matthew Power]

> Matthew, I'm definitely interested in the color catridges! Is that gmail address the best way to contact you?

Yes, matthewmpower at gmail dot com

I'm back from vacation (sad) and anyone interested in color ribbons for the ImageWriter II let me know! I ship promptly.

[Steven Hirsch]

On 08/08/2017 11:37 PM, Chris Tobar wrote:
> I found an ImageWriter II printer in a thrift shop earlier

Where do you find thrift shops that still accept computer gear? Those sources
dried up here over ten years ago.