Software Help GSP Comoser 4.1.12

So I recently acquired a Gerber GS-15 (NOT plus) plotter, and a 486 terminal with a full GSP suite from 1993. The rubber is in fact completely turned to gum and I did a vacuum line replacement on the bail arm. But that's aside from the point.
My main reason for posting, is that I'm having trouble with importing files, and getting them to cut correctly. I've been converting some images in Adobe Illustrator to vector files and exporting as Illustrator 8. This seems to import into GSP Composer 4.1.12 just fine, but for some reason, it insists on double-cutting all the lines one way, then in reverse. Is the software just treating the vectors as zero-thickness shapes and cutting around them? Do I need to just import a flat unconverted image?

I haven't set up networking on this terminal yet, so I'm restricted to transferring files via burned CD, and of course, it's not exactly practical to use an entire CD to keep trying out a <1mB file.

Any other tips or advice with this setup would be great. Perhaps is there some more modern software that I can use to generate plot files for the GS-15, or am I restricted to Composer and GSPlot 4.18?

 

I'm running Windows 3.1

 

The first time I transferred files, I did notice it had doubled up lines due to a border, the afterwards, I've been expanding the image with an outline and later deleting. I checked the most recent version of the imported linework, and even with detail select, it is only picking up one perimeter.

 

Kicking it old school with Graphix Advantage

 

It may have been Illutrator 8 version causing the problem, though I expect it was Graphix Advantage. I actually discovered that my old Windows XP machine has a serial port and found a copy of flexiSIGN to try out, and even importing the same .ai file yielded perfect results through flexiSIGN. Albeit, the plotter makes a lot of awkward pauses in the middle of cuts.

I think I might just call my problem solved for now, since I've found this workaround. And at least now I can transfer my files over network and modify them on the same computer I'm plotting from!

 

Now I just need to figure out how to make it so it's not pausing every 5 seconds. (wasn't a problem with GA)

 

I would love to get a manual for this machine. I found a manual for the GS-15 Plus online, but I'm not sure there's much difference?