Special Report: Getting printers to work with Intel-based Macs

The Intel-native version of Mac OS X poses some significant issues for printers that were supported natively under the PowerPC version of Mac OS X. For many printers, drivers will need to be re-written. For others, one or more in a series of troubleshooting workarounds will prove successful.

One of the most problematic areas is printing through AirPort Base Stations and other wireless routers -- a function that seems to be broken for several devices in the Intel version of Mac OS X.

Another point of contention is printing to devices normally available through AppleTalk -- Intel-based Mac users have had better success with using IP printing rather than AppleTalk for devices that support that functionality.

Manufacturer specific reports

Hewlett Packard Printers MacFixIt Ron writes:

"I was setting up a HP Photosmart 3300 multifunction printer with an Intel iMac yesterday and I could get it to print OK but not scan. The Image Scan software would open, do a preview and perform a scan but when I named and saved the image it didn't save it anywhere (didn't appear in Spotlight either). Then if I repeated this Image Scan would 'unexpectedly quit'. I had to restart to do another scan (that I still couldn't save). I repaired permissions, uninstalled the HP software, reinstalled, repaired permissions with no luck. I also tried this before and after applying the 10.4.5 update."

John Duncan adds:

"This weekend I learned the hard way that some printer drivers that are certified for 10.4 and install and appear to run successfully can have serious problems with the Mac Intel platform. I installed the latest HP drivers for a client's iMac Core Duo with an OfficeJet D 145 printer. It printed and appeared to work but as soon as he tried to dial-out via AOL, the machine crashed with a kernel panic. Accessing other Ethernet or Airport had the same effect. Archived and Installed and verified that it was the printer driver causing the problem. Purchased a new printer HP PSC 1610 which works OK unless the machine goes to sleep and again communications problems and kernel panic. Setting machine to not sleep with the new printer appears to work around the problem so far."

Epson printers MacFixIt reader Fabian writes:

"I tried for the past two days to get my mom's Epson 5900L Laser printer and her new 17" Intel iMac to work via standard USB. While the Mac reports the correct printer model and can read its cartridge level, it also reports sending out any print job and having "accomplished" it - but the printer never prints. I chatted with the Epson support, and they told me to download an allegedly updated printer driver, but it seems it was merely the same old already installed one.

Crash reporter reported:

• Error loading [...]EPSONPagePDE: error code 4, error number 0 (Library not loaded: Reason: no suitable image found. Did find: /Library/Printers/[...]/PPPDE.framework/Versions/A/PPPDE: mach-o, but wrong architecture)

Another reader adds:

"I'm having the same problem with my 17" iMac (w/Intel duo core) and Epson CX4200 printer. At times the printer bar just keeps cycling/scrolling as if it?s going to print, but nothing happens.  It's more than frustrating.  In addition, when the drivers are installed I'm having problems running Microsoft Word.  It won't close (and I have to force quit) or if it?s not open yet, it won?t open. That multicolored circle keeps spinning and spinning and it?s starting to make me sick."

Epson has now posted a page indicating which drivers are currently Intel-native, and release dates for native drivers that work with other models.

Check for updated, Intel-compatible driver If you are having problems with a printer connected to an Intel-based Macs, your first course of action should be to check the manufacturer's Web site for updated Intel-native drivers.

For a full list of printer drivers currently included with the Intel version of Mac OS X, see Knowledge base article #303057.

Delete, then re-add device Next, try opening Printer Setup Utility (located in Applications/Utilities), then deleting and re-adding your device.

Printing a page from CUPS Some readers have reported that printing a test page from the CUPS administrator page can resolve some random printer issues that occur when the devices connected to Intel-based Macs.

You can access your CUPS administration page by opening your Web browser and typing the following URL http://127.0.0.1:631/

Next, click on the "Manage Printers" link, then click "Print Test Page"

Re-install drivers Re-installation of printer drivers (either from the manufacturer's Web site or included media) can resolve issues with printers. Our sister site, VersionTracker, lists virtually all printer drivers, including some that are Universal binaries. Just use the search function and enter your manufacturer or model number.

MacFixIt reader Michelle Steiner writes:

"I have an HP Photosmart 8450 printer connected via ethernet through a router. After transferring my previous G4 iMac's content to the Intel iMac, applications would crash when attempting to print anything. The only exceptions were applications such as Preview that had custom Print dialogs--but even they would crash if I clicked the "Custom" button to switch to the system print dialog.

"I reinstalled the printer driver (HP Photosmart 3.3) and it works fine"

Our sister site, VersionTracker, lists virtually all printer drivers, including some that are Universal binaries. Just use the search function and enter your manufacturer or model number.

Use old, PowerPC drivers Some users have reported issues with garbled output from connected printers. In some cases, it appears that re-installing the old, PowerPC-based driver for some printer models can alleviate printer imaging problems.

MacFixIt reader Geert Docter writes:

"My HP Deskjet 920 doubled the height of several different fonts I tried, without changing the distance between lines, resulting in half characters, stretched out vertically, all over the page. In Preview, and as PDFs, the same documents looked fine.

"Surprisingly, the problem was solved when I re-installed the old driver version 2.7.1 for PowerPC instead of the new one, 3.3 (which isn't listed on HP's web site, by the way)."

Use IP printing As noted above, many users who have traditionally identified printers through AppleTalk have had better luck using IP printing for the same devices.

At this point, we've yet to recognize a single AppleTalk device successfully from a MacBook Pro in-house.

Use a new cable Some users have reported that simply switching to a different USB cable allows access to printers that did not initially work with the Intel version of Mac OS X.

Printer Setup Repair This venerable utility was recently released as a Universal Binary, and can solve a number of printing issues. It can delete unwanted printer drivers, remove a build up of spool files, recreate the /tmp symbolic link, and backup / restore the printing system.

For more information, see the Printer Setup Repair product page.

Try a printer reset As a last resort to printing issues, you can try performing a printing system reset.

This process deletes all printer queues and jobs, resets all printer settings to their default by deleting configuration files and performs a permissions check on the /tmp directory.

• Launch Printer Setup Utility (located in Applications/Utilities)
• From the Printer Setup Utility menu, choose Reset Printing System.
• Click Reset.

Any devices that previously appeared in your Printer List and Fax List will need to be added again after resetting the printing system.

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