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TICKET ARCHIVE -> wireless printing

Dan Horvath - Oct 13, 2006 - 8:17 am

I tried to use a D-Link print server (DP-G321) to print from my iBook G4 to an HP 750xi AIO. Only after opening the box did I discover that the server only supports Postscript printing.

I configured it anyway and chose a semi-random HP model in the setup. The web page I tried to print actually printed but didn't look so good. To further complicate things I use Virtual PC 7.0 for PC word processing and drafting. The print result from it was horrible.

Any ideas? At the least, can I be directed to a print server that won't cause me these headaches?

gsahli - Oct 13, 2006 - 9:01 am

Most likely, the comments about postscript-only refer to OS 9 printing, since on OS 9 only LaserWriter 8 (postscript driver) supports standard network printing (equals LPD protocol on OS X).

The HP-provided driver for that printer was written to only support local printing. You need to install the hpijs and ESP ghostscript packages from:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/hpijs/

If the print server supports appletalk, you're all set. If not, try the IP > HP Jetdirect protocol.

Let me know how it goes.

Dan Horvath - Oct 14, 2006 - 9:45 am

Thanks for the response. I was so angry at the loss of time with the printing issue that I put it aside until Sunday night (weekend woo hoo!). I will let you know what happens Monday.

Dan Horvath - Oct 16, 2006 - 7:52 am

Dan Horvath - Oct 16, 2006 - 7:54 am

It worked. The print quality is average since it appears to use more ink than when it is hooked up in a normal fashion, but I'll take it. (any insight?)

Both Mac docs and VirtualPC docs print. I am still trying all of the programs in VirtualPC for print capability as I write this.

Thanks, MacOSX.com!

gsahli - Oct 16, 2006 - 10:42 am

About print quality, I think there are lots of settings to try varying in the Print Dialog > Copies & Pages menu(s).

Glad it works!

Dan Horvath - Oct 17, 2006 - 12:27 pm

New problem. I saw the printer I set up with hpjis in the list available on the other computer in my home network (the iMac g5). I tried to print an email as a test and then walked away, never checking for the last 24 hours whether it ever printed.

So I went to work on the iBook al day and just tried to print something. It didn't print so I checked the status, and I saw the email I tried to print stuck in the queue with a "Status: Printer spooler processing job" message for me.

Did I mess up by not setting something up in the iMac? Do I have to set up the server every time? Should I use LPR printing, whatever that is?

gsahli - Oct 17, 2006 - 5:07 pm

Well, it is possible that the IP address has changed (Are you using HP Jetdirect protocol or appletalk?). You should change the print server IP address to a fixed address up above the ones computers get, but in the same subnet. Example : computers are 192.168.1.10 and 11, make the print server 192.168.1.100.

Also about the error message, try repairing permissions (Disk Utility).

Dan Horvath - Oct 18, 2006 - 4:41 am

I am using AppleTalk.

The print server has a default IP address of 192.168.0.10. The IP addresses of my computers are 192.168.1.10x etc. (The Linksys router defaulted to starting the IP addresses at ".100". Are the "0" and the "1" in the 3rd number of the addresses the problem?

I think I just answered my question. I changed the 1 to a 0 and printing works again! I assume that I should change the other computers' IP addresses in the same manner if I want to use the network printer with them, right?

WAIT. When I did that I couldn't access the internet since I couldn't talk to the router. I sent this by changing the 0 back to a 1. Do I have to do this to print? Or can I change either the router or print server address permanently so that all of the part of the network have the same number in the 3rd segment of the address?

Which raises one more question. Shouldn't I be able to access the print server setup by typing its IP address into Safari? Nothing happens.

gsahli - Oct 18, 2006 - 8:19 am

You should not need to change any IP address except the print server's.

The local subnet includes 1-254 in the last part of the IP address. The first three parts MUST be the same. So yes, I think that third part difference on the print server is a problem. Since the print server isn't in the local subnet, when you try Safari/http to it, your router is looking "outside" for that IP address and not finding it.

I think it would help to "factory reset" the print server. I don't have a linksys, so I don't know the procedure. Reset should cause it to get a new IP address by DHCP "within" the subnet.