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TICKET ARCHIVE -> InDesign not recognizing printer on iMac

hillarywb - May 26, 2007 - 12:15 pm

When I try to print InDesign docs on my i Mac, the selection in the print box won't let me pick my HP laserjet printer, it is on the list, but when I select it, I get a "printer selection failed" box and it dialog reverts to postscript document. I can save it as a psd and print it in preview, but this is not what I want to do. InDesign printed fine with my old computer-G4 mac. I've tried editing print settings and it still rejects the printer. I visited the Adobe support site and can't find any references to this problem

Natobasso - May 26, 2007 - 8:15 pm

How are your ID files built? Be very specific...

I imagine your HP Laserjet printer (what kind?) driver needs to be updated for your Intel Mac computer also.

hillarywb - May 27, 2007 - 1:15 am

Im' not sure what ID files are? The HP laserJet 1200 prints documents from all of the other programs I'm using, including photoshop. I can check the hp site to see if there are other driver updates, but I'm not sure why the printer would work with other apps if the driver wasn't updated. Thanks

Natobasso - May 27, 2007 - 11:58 am

ID = InDesign.

Have you set your HP printer as your 'default' printer in System Preferences/Printers and Faxes?

That's good about your HP printer. At least it's not Tiger or an outdated driver that's keeping you from printing.

However, your InDesign document isn't printing because something in it is either too large in Megabytes (a placed photoshop file, perhaps or any placed jpgs in your file?) or your printer can't process some postscript in your file that is confusing it.

Please elaborate on how exactly your InDesign file is built and then I think we'll be able to solve your issue. What types of graphics and fonts are you using? Do a Package/Collect procedure (command + option + shift + F) and make sure none of your fonts or images have errors (a little yellow triangle sign with an exclamation mark in the middle). If there are any errors, make sure to fix them.

What font management program do you use? I recommend not using FontBook as it gets confused when you start using lots of fonts (I assume you're a graphic designer like me?) Pick up the free FontExplorer from Linotype: http://www.linotype.com/fontexplorer and load your fonts there. Make sure you aren't trying to load fonts from a server; they should all be on your computer's hard drive for best results.

Here's a test to do: export a pdf and try to print that on your HP printer. If that works, then you know that your InDesign file has something inside it your HP printer can't RIP, as they say in printer jargon.

Let me know what happens.

hillarywb - May 28, 2007 - 12:38 am

Thanks for your answers.
Here is some of what I did: installed IDcs3, (tho had this problem on i mac with cs) tried to print existing file-no graphics, one font: century gothic. Had printing problem.


went on Adobe site in support section. It suggested creating a new document and just setting a simple word in it, or a simple graphic. I drew a rectangle. Same printing problem, choosing hp printer in print dialog box gives message--printer selection failed. Also I have an epson inkjet and it prints to that printer, and the hp is the default printer.

I have used Suitcase in the past, but I'm not using anything right now. I'm an artist, and I teach, so I switched to ID, after pagemaker was no longer supported by OSX. I hate word and refuse to use it, even tho most of what I create in ID, consists of student handouts, and stationary, or cards for my work. So right now my fonts are all in my harddrive.
I ran package/collect and no error messages

the last thing I did is to export as pdf(to acrobat 8), and it wouldn't print, but a file type call "indd.ps" prints, if it saved and printed in preview.

I appreciate your thoughtful suggestions and other suggestions you might have.

thanks, Hillary

Natobasso - May 28, 2007 - 10:36 am

It's still very difficult to ascertain your problem as I don't have enough information. Would you care to upload your files somewhere (to a website like sendspace.com) and then I can take a look myself and help you more.

Don't ever use Word. Sucky program!

And if you aren't using a font manager then you aren't using most of your fonts; only your system fonts are available to you.

hillarywb - May 28, 2007 - 12:04 pm

I just registered on sendspace, how/where would you like me to send files? and should I just send a file that won't print--which is actually any file, or a couple of files? thanks, HIllary

- May 28, 2007 - 1:29 pm

It's still very difficult to ascertain your problem as I don't have enough information. Would you care to upload your files somewhere (to a website like sendspace.com) and then I can take a look myself and help you more.

Don't ever use Word. Sucky program!

And if you aren't using a font manager then you aren't using most of your fonts; only your system fonts are available to you.

hillarywb - May 28, 2007 - 3:56 pm

Hi, Thanks,

I uploaded 2 files, one that's an ID file and the other one a result of saving what comes out the print dialogue box, which saves it as a ps file. This prints on the hp laserjet 1200 in Preview, with no problem.
Hillary

hillarywb - May 29, 2007 - 12:27 am

Sorry about the link, I thought it was included in the form on sendspace. I'll go there and link it. I will try to HP site as well for driver updates. I thought I had already done that when I first used this computer. It does seem strange that the printer would work with other adobe software--photoshop, but not ID.
thanks

- May 29, 2007 - 12:15 pm

I'm sorry, it was and I didn't go to my hotmail account to check it. My fault.

I found a possible solution for your hp printing issue, and it does have to do with the PPD being missing or corrupt, as I suggested in my email to you this morning. Here's two solutions. Either recreate the printer (remove it from Print Center and then add it again) or recreate the hp printer and use a different ppd file; specifics defined below, and on this web page:

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowled...41&mode=simple

"Solution 2: Use a different PPD file.

If you print to a Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet printer, select a different PPD file for the printer:

1. Start the Printer Setup Utility.
2. Select the printer, and then choose Printers > Show Info.
3. Choose Printer Model from the pop-up menu.
4. Choose HP from the Model Name menu.
5. Select the second PPD file from the Model Name list.
6. Click Apply Changes.
7. Close the Printer Setup Utility. "

Let me know what happens when you do step one (recreate the printer). Then do step two (recreate the printer and choose a different ppd file).