Using Printer Shared From Windows PC

[dmw16]

I got my mac a few weeks back and I am trying to get it setup.

Right now I have a basic dell box that acts as my file server and print server to my other PC's. I am sharing an HP PSC 1410 from the PC and I have no trouble printing to it from any other computer.

However, I can't make my mac print to it.

I thru the process of adding the printer, I can find it on my network and it has been added to the list of printers I can choose when printing. When I hit print, the print status window tells me it has been sent to the printer and sucessfully printed, but nothing comes out of the printer.

Any ideas? Is there some simple thing I'm missing? I am not worried about sharing the scanning functions or anything, but I do need to be able to print.

THanks.

 

[AmigaMan]

I have never been able to get this to work. I've searched google, macosxhints, and just about everywhere else. It doesn't seem that Windows shared printers will work for me on my MBP. I've just resorted to copying the file I want printed to a folder on the Windows machine and having my wife open and print it.

 

[dmw16]

Ugh. I was afraid it would be something like that. Maybe someone else has a solution.

 

[manly]

Well it depends on the printer.

For example, I use an HP LaserJet hooked up by Parallel port to a Windows PC (hence it's not a Mac printer).

I can't just use the model-specific OS X printer driver as that just prints out PCL garbage. What works fine is using a GIMP-Print filter. As a practical matter, I think this limits output to 600 dpi instead of the printer's 1200 dpi.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: manly
Well it depends on the printer.

For example, I use an HP LaserJet hooked up by Parallel port to a Windows PC (hence it's not a Mac printer).

I can't just use the model-specific OS X printer driver as that just prints out PCL garbage. What works fine is using a GIMP-Print filter. As a practical matter, I think this limits output to 600 dpi instead of the printer's 1200 dpi.

Success varies depending on a lot of things. My HP 1220 prints great, but it's a full Postscript printer. Is yours?

 

[dmw16]

manly, I didnt really understand your response.

dclive, I dont know, I can check if it is full post script.

maybe the question to ask is; has anyone found a printer that when shared on a windows PC prints from a Mac.

 

[dclive]

Any PS printer I've ever tried prints great.... sample size is low though - 4ML and 1220... both PS.

 

[dmw16]

dclive, I may look into one of the printers you mentioned. And both of these are being plugged into a windows PC and shared?

 

[dclive]

Yes, it's PS and attached to a PC and shared.
Did you try Manly's gimp-print suggestion already, prior to buying another printer?

 

[dmw16]

I didnt because I didnt understand what he was saying. I wasnt sure if he was suggesting I try something or if it was something else he was talking about.

I will check that out. But right now, I am taking XP off my server PC and putting Win2k on it because XP is giving me all kinds of trouble.

 

[AsianriceX]

1. Install "Print Services for Unix" on Windows box
Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Other Network File and Print Services

2. Allow TCP/IP Service through Windows Firewall (If running one)
Allow either C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe or the IP of your Mac, just as long as the Mac can punch through that firewall.

3. Share Printer on Windows box

4. Install relevant driver on Mac if available

5. Configure printer on Mac
IP Printing
LPD - Line Printer Daemon
IP = IP of your Windows Box
Queue = Share name you defined when you shared out the printer on the Windows box
Driver = Choose your model, if you installed the driver it should be there.

6. Print away!

I just tested this with my WinXP box, MacBook Pro, and Samsung ML-2010 connected through USB. The Samsung didn't like the Generic Postscript driver, so I had to go to Samsung's site to grab the appropriate OS X drivers.

Good luck!

 

[dclive]

Have you found that to be more successful than simply using Windows (SMB) printing?

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: dclive
Have you found that to be more successful than simply using Windows (SMB) printing?

To be honest, I don't recall ever trying to use SMB for printing off of a Windows server.
If you've had good luck with that, I'd say it's much easier than my solution.

We've been using LPD printing on a Windows print server because some print quota/reporting software we were testing could pick up individual user names and whatnot from Macs by using that method.

 

[dmw16]

THanks for the step-by. Should that process also work in Win2k?

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: AsianriceX
1. Install "Print Services for Unix" on Windows box
Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Other Network File and Print Services

2. Allow TCP/IP Service through Windows Firewall (If running one)
Allow either C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe or the IP of your Mac, just as long as the Mac can punch through that firewall.

3. Share Printer on Windows box

4. Install relevant driver on Mac if available

5. Configure printer on Mac
IP Printing
LPD - Line Printer Daemon
IP = IP of your Windows Box
Queue = Share name you defined when you shared out the printer on the Windows box
Driver = Choose your model, if you installed the driver it should be there.

6. Print away!

I just tested this with my WinXP box, MacBook Pro, and Samsung ML-2010 connected through USB. The Samsung didn't like the Generic Postscript driver, so I had to go to Samsung's site to grab the appropriate OS X drivers.

Good luck!

AWESOME!!!! That worked PERFECTLY on my MBP printing to an HP C3150 printer connected via USB to my wife's XP desktop. I've been ripping my hair out for over a year trying to print wirelessly. Turns out it was XP blocking me.

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: dmw16
THanks for the step-by. Should that process also work in Win2k?

Absolutely. It may be a little easier since it won't have the built-in firewall preventing access.

 

[xstefanx]

im just going to throw my two cents out here..

i have two macs and two pc's. i got the printer to work with it on the pc and print through the network ONCE. and i swear when it did print i just punched the damn pc.

good luck though!

 

[flyboy84]

This doesn't help you in your particular situation, but it does have to do with shared PC/MAC printing. I use an HP Photosmart 3310 Allinone that has a wireless and wired network connection. I have it directly connected to one PC via USB and I can also print to it wirelessly through a wireless network via the MAC. Having that kind of network versatility built into the printer natively makes it relatively easy. Hopefully these types of features will trickle down to all printers eventually (mine cost a pretty penny!)

 

[dmw16]

I haven't tried any of this (been really busy at work), but I did notice that my printer wasn't plugged into the USB port on the PC. Could that cause it not to print

 

[TheStu]

Here is what appears to be a pretty good guide on how to set it all up

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: AsianriceX
1. Install "Print Services for Unix" on Windows box
Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Other Network File and Print Services

2. Allow TCP/IP Service through Windows Firewall (If running one)
Allow either C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe or the IP of your Mac, just as long as the Mac can punch through that firewall.

3. Share Printer on Windows box

4. Install relevant driver on Mac if available

5. Configure printer on Mac
IP Printing
LPD - Line Printer Daemon
IP = IP of your Windows Box
Queue = Share name you defined when you shared out the printer on the Windows box
Driver = Choose your model, if you installed the driver it should be there.

6. Print away!

I just tested this with my WinXP box, MacBook Pro, and Samsung ML-2010 connected through USB. The Samsung didn't like the Generic Postscript driver, so I had to go to Samsung's site to grab the appropriate OS X drivers.

Good luck!

well i installed my canon ip1500 drivers, but i don't see it in the list?

 

[Goosemaster]

just followed AsianriceX 's advice and it worked like a charm.

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: AsianriceX
1. Install "Print Services for Unix" on Windows box
Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Other Network File and Print Services

2. Allow TCP/IP Service through Windows Firewall (If running one)
Allow either C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe or the IP of your Mac, just as long as the Mac can punch through that firewall.

3. Share Printer on Windows box

4. Install relevant driver on Mac if available

5. Configure printer on Mac
IP Printing
LPD - Line Printer Daemon
IP = IP of your Windows Box
Queue = Share name you defined when you shared out the printer on the Windows box
Driver = Choose your model, if you installed the driver it should be there.

6. Print away!

I just tested this with my WinXP box, MacBook Pro, and Samsung ML-2010 connected through USB. The Samsung didn't like the Generic Postscript driver, so I had to go to Samsung's site to grab the appropriate OS X drivers.

Good luck!

well i installed my canon ip1500 drivers, but i don't see it in the list?

Did you try completely quitting the Printer setup utility? I know that if you have it loaded and running while you install the drivers on your mac, it probably won't detect new drivers until you quit completely and restart the utility.