Posted 2025-03-04 | Back to blog index
I picked up an ImageWriter II for cheap, it was the only one where the auction photos didn't have the error lamp on.
Alas, the belt drive motor is rusted and completely seized. Looks like replacements are also not at all worth it.
It's a shame, this is the only spot in the whole machine with evidence of rust, the rest looks fine!
Also how the heck does this go back on 😰
The second printer fail of the day is this Personal LaserWriter 300
It "prints" but the output is just toner clouds, and then the printing Mac complains that the scanner motor is not moving.
Sure enough, there are signs of liquid ingress here (white patches on the PCB), and checking the bottom of the scanner motor I spot rust...
Cleaned it up, did a test print, it gave out a horrifying death rattle and now it wont do anything at all.
Also this is BY FAR the mostly crumbly Spindlerplastic I've touched to date. It just crumbles in your hands if you touch it at all. All these pieces just fell off!
I will never learn, will I?
The listing said it powered on and had a photo of it with the lights on, but plugging it in and pressing power, nothing…
Digging into it, there's this voltage dial. It was on 100 (correct), but switching it to 120 and it springs to life!
Is it a bad winding/connection on the transformer? Are the voltages separately fused? Any ideas?
I can't believe it! It truly is a MARCHintosh miracle…
Now to fix the ribbon and get some perforated paper…
Headphone Warning 🎧⚠️
Ewwwwww….
I'm guessing replace these with rubber washers? Any recommended dimensions?
Rubber O-rings arrived today (14mm inner diameter, 2mm thickness), easy enough to stick on.
It looks like it mostly works, but it's very faint - need to investigate if there's a darkness setting to tweak or if this is due to the ribbon.
There may or may not be a another ImageWriter II on GlobalTalk now 🙈
In lieu of an ImageScribbler card, it's shared via PortShare Pro (thanks Wafflenet) as a shared Printer Port. Download and install PortShare from Blackbird:Essential, New>Virtual Printer, then find the printer on BaroNet, password empty, then use the regular serial ImageWriter or MacPalette driver to print.
Beautiful music 🎶