Mac OS X 10.4.7 Special Report: Printing issues -- fixes

Several users have reported printing issues apparent after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.7.

MacFixIt reader John Clark writes:

"Since the upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.7, Epson Printer Utility no longer works. Have done: Delete prefs for Epson, Complete reinstall of printer driver from epson. Printer Utility opens, then immediately quits."

In some cases, these issues can be resolved with the use of Printer Setup Repair.

In other cases, they cannot. MacFixIt reader Graham Hindley writes:

"Lost all printers - every attempt to add printers results in error dialogue box: "An error occurred while trying to add the selected printer; server-error-service-unavailable."

"Resetting printing services and Printer Setup Repair 5.0.4 so far fail to solve the problem. Exactly the same problem occurred after updating from Mac OS X 10.3.9 to 10.4.3, trouble is, I cannot remember what steps I took to solve it."

Other successful solutions for common printing issue are as follows:

Disconnect from AirPort and reset For those who are using printers connected to an AirPort Express, Extreme or another wireless device with USB connections, you might want to try the following:

1. Disconnect the printer from the AirPort unit (or other router)
2. Wait a few minutes
3. Plug it back in
4. Restart the base station unit
5. Check for your printer to appear in AirPort Admin Utility (located in Applications/Utilities)

Re-install CUPS Problems may have occurred with your CUPS installation during the Mac OS X update process.

The file is available from this Web site: http://www.cups.org/software.php, and is labeled cups-1.2.1.dmg

Delete then re-add printers/Reset printing system Open Printer Setup Utility, located in Applications/Utilities and look at the "Printer List" Highlight and delete all entries.

Alternatively, go to the "Printer Setup Utility" menu at the top of the screen and select "Reset Printing System".

Click the "Add" button and re-add your printer(s).

Last resort -- Archive and Install As a last resort, try performing the somewhat tedious Archive and Install process, then re-upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.7. This has solved some otherwise inexplicable printer issues for MacFixIt readers.

For more workarounds, see the tutorial "Resolving common printer problems."

Index:

• Release Notes
• Common Workarounds
• Reverting (downgrading) to Mac OS X 10.4.6

• AirPort connectivity issues -- fixes
• Bluetooth: Erratic device behavior, loss of connectivity
• Cellular data modems now natively supported
• CS2 apps (Photoshop, etc.) not launching -- potential fix
• Digital camera problems -- not recognized, workaround
• Don't skip update verification process
• Dozens of SMB processes spawned -- fix
• Example of the dangers in continuing work while update is applying
• External drives not recognized -- fixes
• FireWire device recognition issues
• Increased fan activity -- fixes
• Intel re-release: Determining whether you have the old or new version, more
• Internet access problems caused by DNS errors
• iSync issues
• MacBook Pro screen failures with external display connected
• MacBook (13"): Vertical multi-colored lines at startup after Mac OS X 10.4.7 update
• Microsoft Word crashing frequently -- fix
• Palm synchronization issues
• Printing issues -- fixes
• Problems caused by devices connected during update
• Problems starting up after update -- fixes
• Quark Xpress 6.5: Problems with fonts, temporary fix
• Rosetta problems -- potential fix
• Safari: Problems accessing secure sites, crashes, more
• SoundSticks unrecognized -- fix
• Spotlight will be re-enabled after update
• SuperDrive burn issues -- fix
• Third-party displays causing freezes
• Trackpad difficulties -- input not recognized
• Two-finger click functionality now enabled on 15" MacBook Pros, PowerBooks
• USB problems (device recognition, preventing your Mac from sleeping etc.) -- fixes
• Widget "phone home" function actually a security measure
• Windows sharing and processor hogging (system slowdown)

Resources