Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Connecting the printer to more than one computer

You can connect up to three computers to your printer at the same time; simply connect the interface cables to any of the built-in or optional interfaces.

Choosing an interface

To connect the printer to your computer, first determine whether you require a parallel or serial connection. If your computer provides both types of connection, use the parallel interface for the printer and leave the serial port of your computer free for devices such as modems. If you are in doubt about which type of connection to use, consult your dealer.

The printer is initially set up for parallel communication. If your computer has a parallel interface, you should be able to connect it to the printer with a properly shielded cable and not change any factory settings.

If, however, you find that you need a serial interface, you may need to use SelecType to change some of the printer’s serial settings, such as baud rate or parity, to match the computer’s settings. Chapter 4 provides instructions on setting up the serial interface to operate with your computer. For information on the optional interface board, see Appendix A.

Connecting the parallel interface

If you want to use the printer’s standard parallel interface, make sure you have a shielded twisted-pair parallel cable less than 3 m (10 ft) in length.

1.Turn off both your printer and computer. Then unplug the power cords from the electrical outlets.

2-14 Testing and Connecting Your Printer