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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Printer Browser Error: -50

Carrie48 - Jul 27, 2005 - 10:51 pm

I am trying to add a new printer to my iMac. It is an older model, an HP LaserJet 1100. I have found drivers, and have a serial-USB adapter. I found the drivers via HPIJS for Mac OSX, a site that other Mac users have used to find drivers for older HPs.

I can't add the printer. The LJ 1100 shows up on the list of models available, but when I click ADD, I receive the following Printer Browser Error: "An error occurred while trying to add the selected printer. Error:-50". I can't find what this error message means. Can you tell me what it means?

Is it possible that the problem could be the USB adapter? The model was recommended to me, but the package did not indicate that it would work with a Mac. I gave it a try anyway because I was desperate.

My OS is 10.4.2.

Thanks for any help you can provide--

Kris

gsahli - Jul 28, 2005 - 9:15 am

Hi,
I'm Greg, your Volunteer Tech. I sincerely enjoy helping people set up their Mac so they can enjoy using it. I try, through a series of short interactions with you, to get enough information to help you. Please don't expect me to solve the problem without giving me more info or not telling me when I haven't yet fixed the problem.

The error means "error in user parameter list." Not specific enough for me to interpret.

Question:
Did you install ESP ghostscript together with hpijs? It's required.
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/hpijs/
Your adapter must be a USB-parallel adapter (that's a parallel connector on the printer). Some people have needed a new USB comm driver to get the USB-parallel adapters to work for printing. That's also a free download (called usbtb):
usbtb download page
When you have usbtb installed on Tiger, your printer will show up twice in the ADD printer dialog/default browser. Select the usbtb one and choose model, then try it.

Good luck.

Carrie48 - Jul 28, 2005 - 7:07 pm

Hi Greg--

Yes, I had installed ESP Ghostscript, followed by the HP 1100 driver.

I tried installing the USB comm driver. There was a choice of 2 at the site you posted. First I downloaded the later version, and installed it. I was then able (apparently) to install the printer driver, but when I got to the point where I needed to print a test page, nothing happened. I received an error message that the job was stopped. I thought maybe the older version had something the newer one didn't, so I uninstalled vers 1.0.5 and installed 1.0.0. Same thing--the printer and the iMac aren't recognizing one another.

I am going to reboot with the printer connected, and see what happens. I ordered a parallel-USB adapter that is Mac-compatible. I may have to wait for that to arrive.

Thanks for your help. FYI, when I tried to add the printer via the Printer Setup Utility, I still got Error -50.

Kris

gsahli - Jul 28, 2005 - 8:12 pm

Kris,
Please try the new menu item Reset Printing System, in Printer Setup Utility just above Quit Printer Setup. Then restart the Mac and ADD again. (This deletes several prefs files)

Carrie48 - Jul 28, 2005 - 8:50 pm

Greg--

Well, some progress. I hit reset printing system, then restarted and added the 1100. No error -50 this time, but the print job I attempted still stopped. The large light on the printer that starts to blink when it receives the print job isn't blinking--the iMac and printer aren't talking to one another. I've checked the adapters to make sure everything's connected. The printer is getting power because one of the lights is on.

I also repaired permissions after installing the usbtb file.

gsahli - Jul 28, 2005 - 10:01 pm

You're right, that's some progress. I like that you tried both versions of usbtb - I have seen different results with different printers. It's good to experiment a little.

So, are we patiently waiting to try another brand of USB-paralel adapter?

Let me know if it works!

Carrie48 - Jul 28, 2005 - 10:13 pm

Yes. I went to this website--http://www.electrictao.net/mac.shtml--and checked out Peter Wang's links to adapters. His was the site I was directed to when it came to links to drivers etc as well. Anyway, ordered the parallel-USB adapter he linked to since it expressly states that it works with Macs. I never would have thought a blasted cable could make a difference, but what do I know?

When I have a spare afternoon, I may try uninstalling and reinstalling things again. I swear this has some simple solution--I just don't have the experience to see what it is.

Thanks for your help. At least you helped me get rid of that dratted Error:-50.

Kris

Carrie48 - Aug 6, 2005 - 3:06 pm

Hi-I wanted to leave a message for Greg, who originally helped me with this ticket.

I've hooked up my HP 1100 LaserJet to my iMac! The Keyspan USB-parallel adapter, which is Mac-compatible, made the difference. I downloaded drivers from GimpPrint, and wound up installing an HP 6-series LaserJet driver to work with the 1100 since the 1100 drivers themselves weren't provided.

I didn't need Ghostscript according to the Keyspan site. Any OS X newer than 10.2 apparently doesn't need it.

The only issie I saw after printer installation was the fact that I could no longer put the iMac into Sleep mode--the fans raced and I lost keyboard control. I understand this happens due to issues with some connections to peripherals, so I guess it's possible that the adapter is causing the problem. However, I'd rather have the printer than the Sleep function, so I guess I'll live with it.

Thanks for your help--

Kris