lcs@... wrote:
> 
> Hardware handshake is quite essential for optimal functioning of my
> Supra-Express modem, and the serial cable has a standard 8-pin DIN
> type male connector suitable for the round Mac serial port.
> 
> Remember that "hardware handshake" is a two-party protocol that
> both parties must voluntarily accept. Hardware handshake seems to
> be the winner when available at all.  Someone here will have the
> Mac 8-pin DIN "pinout" handy.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Laurent S.

Thanks, Laurent-

I have found what I believe to be good pinouts for using hardware
handshake. I am aware that both devices must be set to use the same
protocol (I can choose between xon/xoff and DTR/DSR). 

Of course, I have no idea if my new cable that I have created is good,
since I have yet to see any evidence of it working :)

It goes like this (there is some voodoo):

Mac Din-8      Serial Printer DB-25
---------      --------------------
1 (HSKo)       4 (RTS) AND 20 (DTR)  'handshake line
2 (HSKi)       5 (CTS)               'I don't know if this is required
3 (TXD-)       3 (RXD)               'I cross T and R since it's a printer
4 & 8 (GND)    7 (GND)               'GND is tied. I don't know why
5 (RXD-)       2 (TXD)               'I cross T and R since it's a printer

I have tied RTS and DTR together since several Mac Serial websites
advocated doing that for a hardware cable.

My book for the printer says:
RTS is a control signal from the printer to the host. RTS is in the ON
condition (positive voltage) when the printer is powered on. When RTS is
active, it indicates that the printer is ready to receive data.

When DTR/DSR handshaking is selected, DTR is the ready control line from
the printer to the host. When the DTR control signal from the printer is
in the ON condition (positive voltage), the host may send data to the printer.

When DTR is in the OFF condition (negative voltage), the host may not
send data to the printer. This condition occurs when the printer's
communication buffer is within 256 characters of its capacity.

I'm now going into FBII land for some cross-version testing. Any help
continues to be appreciated. Does anyone have any guaranteed working
(for large transfers) FB3 serial source (hardware or software
handshaking)? My app works great until 60 or so labels get printed at
9600 bps, then it all goes to heck. If I crank down the bps, it works
fine (but slow).

Thanks,

PB