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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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 Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: Plotter & USB |
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My HP JetDirect box finally wore out. I'd like to set up my HP DesignJet 455CA plotter as a USB printer or plotter... has anyone had any success setting one of these up as an HPGL or HPGL/2 device? The HP website has been no help.
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 365
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Plotter & USB |
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| Matt wrote: | | My HP JetDirect box finally wore out. I'd like to set up my HP DesignJet 455CA plotter as a USB printer or plotter... has anyone had any success setting one of these up as an HPGL or HPGL/2 device? The HP website has been no help. |
Finding a USB driver for this unit will require some "home cooking" at a minimum. HP has no interest in designing a new USB adapter or writing software and firmware to make current ones work. This is a 10 year old plotter design. Maybe more.
But why not just buy a used JetDirect Exteranl box? They go for what $25 to $50 on eBay? I just gave one to a friend after not using it for 4 or 5 years.
David |
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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: |
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HP has the same committment to the JetDirect boxes as they have to the plotters... and to their customers. Thanks for the info.
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 365
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| Matt wrote: | | HP has the same committment to the JetDirect boxes as they have to the plotters... and to their customers. Thanks for the info. |
Sarcasm or ???
HP updates the firmware for JD interfaces and has made it available to the ones that can be updated for the last 10 or 15 years. I just updated a card in a 5siMX that has to be 5 years old. Same for the external units. IF they have upgradeable firmware which most do.
As to repairing broken JetDirect or Plotters? Or writing new drivers. At what point does the purchase price stop covering this. Or do you feel forever?
David |
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John Cruet
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 290
Location: Guilford, CT
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Your first task is to find an adapter that plugs into the parallel port on your machine. It's a USB-to-parallel port adapter. MacroEnter sells one for about $60.00.
Once you do this then you can run the machine as though it were a USB printer. Well, sort of- see below. But you will also need a driver that can run the machine as a standalone solution. I know that Gimp-print has one available for the HP 450 series but I have no knowledge as to whether it will run it as a USB printer. I know that the X-Rip driver will. MacroEnter still sells this, and it can run the HP 450 series as a standalone.
For years I ran my Encad machine this way. The main problem is that I had to boot the machine up first, then boot the computer. If you don't do this in the proper sequence the printer will not be addressed!
If you have a network you can set up your main machine as a network AppleTalk server and actually run prints from a remote workstation. I don't know if this will work with any other LAN solution, though.
What I don't miss about my Encad and its adapter solution is the problem of booting the printer up first, then booting the computer. If I made a mistake I'd have to reset my entire system. I found that a pain.
With my Canon, which is a USB 2 solution, it works just like my other USB devices. I can go offline and on line and not miss a beat.
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John Cruet
G4/733 w/1028 mb RAM & OS 10.4.10, Classic-free, skuzzy-free (runs PC7)
MacBook Pro 2G Intel core duo 2 gig RAM & OS 10.5.4.
PowerCadd 8, WT 9
Canon iP710 printer
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 365
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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| John Cruet wrote: | Your first task is to find an adapter that plugs into the parallel port on your machine. It's a USB-to-parallel port adapter. MacroEnter sells one for about $60.00.
Once you do this then .... |
Which is why I suggested an external Jet Direct box. eBay buy it now item 330249512787 for $25 net. Plus a cable.
What's the issue?
David |
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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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I'm going to look into RIP to USB software, I'll post my findings here.
I'm reluctant to keep depending on the JetDirect box, new-to-me doesn't mean it won't flake out in a month or two. Cost is a factor though.
thanks!
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 365
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:32 am Post subject: |
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| Matt wrote: | | I'm reluctant to keep depending on the JetDirect box, new-to-me doesn't mean it won't flake out in a month or two. Cost is a factor though. |
What is your history with JD units? I've dealt with them for years with only 1 or 2 failures over 20 or so units over 15 years.
David |
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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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my history with JetDirect boxes is now: purchased: 3. Functional today: 1.
1 is ok; I'm hopeful that this one and the plotter it is connected to fail simultaneously, a while from now.
I could not locate a USB rip solution, so I'll be sticking with Gimp until the box or the plotter (or both) turn belly up. |
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Scott Bloom
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Good Luck with the 1 |
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| Wishing you luck with your 455CA. Mine is still going strong. I take it for granted, but I realize how valuable it is to my studio. I send out all my large print jobs now to save on the plotter wear and tear. |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 869
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:41 am Post subject: |
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I should still have a box when you need it. It was stll running for (#?) several years after I had to give up on the GDT phonenet bridge. Finally my 350c became too decrepit.
I've really felt it was worthwhile getting the Canon iPF 610. Now plotting isn't a mechanical therapy session. It just works, and fast.
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John Cruet
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 290
Location: Guilford, CT
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| pbacot wrote: | | I've really felt it was worthwhile getting the Canon iPF 610. Now plotting isn't a mechanical therapy session. It just works, and fast. |
Pretty much the way I feel about my iPF710.
I actually ditched the X-rip software. The Canon software is great.
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John Cruet
G4/733 w/1028 mb RAM & OS 10.4.10, Classic-free, skuzzy-free (runs PC7)
MacBook Pro 2G Intel core duo 2 gig RAM & OS 10.5.4.
PowerCadd 8, WT 9
Canon iP710 printer
www.johncruet.com |
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