Connect an old parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to MacBook Pros (Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.8.2)?

[Ant]

Hello.

My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(

Thank you in advance. :)
--
"The ambitious one makes friends with the elephant, then tramples upon
the ant." --Indian
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |
\ _ / If crediting, then use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.
( ) If e-mailing, then axe ANT from its address if needed.
Ant is currently not listening to any songs on this computer.

[Andreas Rutishauser]

Salut Ant

In article <BI2dnW0DCvEIkhvN...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(

I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
several computers in the network.
HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.

Cheers
Andreas

--
MacAndreas Rutishauser, <http://www.MacAndreas.ch>
EDV-Dienstleistungen, Hard- und Software, Internet und Netzwerk
Beratung, Unterstuetzung und Schulung
<mailto:and...@MacAndreas.ch>, Fon: 044 / 721 36 47

[Your Name]

In article <BI2dnW0DCvEIkhvN...@earthlink.com>, Ant
<a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>

> Hello.
>
> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(
>
> Thank you in advance. :)

I looked into this same situation for a client a few years ago (for a
LaserJet 5P from memory). You can get an ethernet add-on (or at least used
to be able to) from HP that plus inside the printer, but it's damn
expensive. You could also probably find a third-party Parallel->USB or
Parallel->Ethernet adaptor, but again it's not likely to be cheap. Either
way, as you mention, you may also have issues with not having a proper
printer driver. As Lewis says, it's simply cheaper and easier to just buy
a new printer.

[Ant]

On 10/22/2012 10:26 PM PT, Andreas Rutishauser typed:

>> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
>> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
>> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
>> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
>> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
>> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(
>
> I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
> the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
> several computers in the network.
> HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
> MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.

This one doesn't have network features. It does have InfraRed. :D
--
"The shadows now so long do grow,... That brambles like tall cedars
show,... Molehills seem mountains, and the ant... Appears a monstrous
elephant." --Charles Cotton's poem

[Paul Sture]

In article
<YourName-231...@203-118-187-213.dsl.dyn.ihug.co.nz>,

The HP printer network cards are shockingly expensive.

A parallel port to ethernet adaptor, known as a "Print Server" is much
cheaper.

Here's one example:

<http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?status=view&prod=220_TE1
00-P1P>

--
Paul Sture

[David Empson]

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.

The only way I'd recommend bothering with this would be if you can lay
your hands on an HP JetDirect EX Plus, HP JetDirect EX Plus 3 or HP
JetDirect 300X for next to no money. They are external Ethernet print
servers with a parallel connection to the printer. (The EX Plus 3 has
three parallel ports.) There may be other brands which operate similarly
to these and are Mac compatible, but I haven't gone looking for them.

I have a HP JetDirect EX Plus attached to my HP LaserJet 6MP, and the
printer has continued to work through every version of Mac OS X up to
and including 10.8.2. After I upgraded from 10.5 to 10.6 I had to stop
using AppleTalk and switched to the "JetDirect Socket" protocol.

USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
drivers or compatibility issues.

The other option for Mac OS X 10.5.8 (but not later verisons) is an
Ethernet to LocalTalk adapter (made by Farallon?), which would plug into
the serial port on the LaserJet 6MP. These only support the AppleTalk
printing protocol, and AppleTalk was dropped by Mac OS X 10.6. They are
also much slower than connecting to the parallel port.

If you can't find a cheap external HP JetDirect, your client would be
better to buy a more modern laser printer which doesn't require a
conversion to interface to a modern Mac. I know a growing number of
people using Brother laser printers, and I have a mid-range Brother
model with built-in networking and duplexing (HL-5380DN).

The Brother is substantially faster than my old 6MP, plus its duplexing
unit saves paper and time for certain print jobs.

My LaserJet 6MP has been demoted to a backup printer which I keep in my
office at work (so I don't need to use work's printer for personal
stuff).

> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(

You are looking in the wrong place. Printer manufacturers supply the
printer drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and earlier, but starting with Mac
OS X 10.6, drivers for most printers and scanners are distributed
through Apple, typically installed on demand via Software Update.

Apple has a page listing all the printer and scanner models supported by
the drivers they supply in Mac OS X 10.6 and later:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669

The HP LaserJet 6MP is supported via the Apple-supplied drivers.

--
David Empson
dem...@actrix.gen.nz

[Mark Storkamp]

In article <slrnk8c4a2....@mbp55.local>,
Lewis <g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:

> In message <BI2dnW0DCvEIkhvN...@earthlink.com>

> Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
> > Hello.
>
> > My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> > parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> > printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> > I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
>

> It would be cheaper to buy a decent laser printer, and you'd get a
> scanner and duplex and faxing <spit> in the bargin. Oh, and it would be
> faster.
>
> I recommend Brother. I think my MFC was under $200.

You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
37USD. I've used USB versions in the past with good results.

[Ant]

On 10/22/2012 11:14 PM PT, Paul Sture typed:

>> I looked into this same situation for a client a few years ago (for a
>> LaserJet 5P from memory). You can get an ethernet add-on (or at least used
>> to be able to) from HP that plus inside the printer, but it's damn
>> expensive. You could also probably find a third-party Parallel->USB or
>> Parallel->Ethernet adaptor, but again it's not likely to be cheap. Either
>> way, as you mention, you may also have issues with not having a proper
>> printer driver. As Lewis says, it's simply cheaper and easier to just buy
>> a new printer.
>
> The HP printer network cards are shockingly expensive.

Like how much? I can tell my client to make him buy a new USB laser
printer. Heh heh!

> A parallel port to ethernet adaptor, known as a "Print Server" is much
> cheaper.
>
> Here's one example:
>
> <http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?status=view&prod=220_TE100-P1P>

Interesting. Is there a wireless version since the router/switch is far
away from the old printer? What about Infrared?
--
"Even the ant has his (her) bite." --Turkish

[Ant]

On 10/23/2012 12:17 AM PT, David Empson typed:

> The only way I'd recommend bothering with this would be if you can lay
> your hands on an HP JetDirect EX Plus, HP JetDirect EX Plus 3 or HP
> JetDirect 300X for next to no money. They are external Ethernet print
> servers with a parallel connection to the printer. (The EX Plus 3 has
> three parallel ports.) There may be other brands which operate similarly
> to these and are Mac compatible, but I haven't gone looking for them.

One parallel port is enough. Who knows how long this printer will last.
Yes, they are like tanks but this is one is over a decade old or so.

> I have a HP JetDirect EX Plus attached to my HP LaserJet 6MP, and the
> printer has continued to work through every version of Mac OS X up to
> and including 10.8.2. After I upgraded from 10.5 to 10.6 I had to stop
> using AppleTalk and switched to the "JetDirect Socket" protocol.
>
> USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
> drivers or compatibility issues.
>
> The other option for Mac OS X 10.5.8 (but not later verisons) is an
> Ethernet to LocalTalk adapter (made by Farallon?), which would plug into
> the serial port on the LaserJet 6MP. These only support the AppleTalk
> printing protocol, and AppleTalk was dropped by Mac OS X 10.6. They are
> also much slower than connecting to the parallel port.

Yeah, but that requires leaving a computer on which we don't want to do.
Hence, the direct cable connections.

> If you can't find a cheap external HP JetDirect, your client would be
> better to buy a more modern laser printer which doesn't require a
> conversion to interface to a modern Mac. I know a growing number of
> people using Brother laser printers, and I have a mid-range Brother
> model with built-in networking and duplexing (HL-5380DN).
>
> The Brother is substantially faster than my old 6MP, plus its duplexing
> unit saves paper and time for certain print jobs.
>
> My LaserJet 6MP has been demoted to a backup printer which I keep in my
> office at work (so I don't need to use work's printer for personal
> stuff).
>
>> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
>> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(
>
> You are looking in the wrong place. Printer manufacturers supply the
> printer drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and earlier, but starting with Mac
> OS X 10.6, drivers for most printers and scanners are distributed
> through Apple, typically installed on demand via Software Update.

Ah.

> Apple has a page listing all the printer and scanner models supported by
> the drivers they supply in Mac OS X 10.6 and later:
>
> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669
>
> The HP LaserJet 6MP is supported via the Apple-supplied drivers.

Ah cool, it says "HP LaserJet 6P/6MP" which is perfect. Now, the hard
part is to connect to it. Darn, he would have to get a power AC (running
out of outlets even though multiple strips!) big addon to connect
instead of a basic adapter for USB and parallel cables. :(
--
"What is it going to be like in eternity with God? Frankly, the capacity
of our brains cannot handle the wonder and greatness of heaven. It would
be like trying to describe the Internet to an ant." --Rick Warren's
book, The Purpose Driven Life

[Ant]

On 10/23/2012 6:22 AM PT, Mark Storkamp typed:

> You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
> 37USD. I've used USB versions in the past with good results.

Which ones did you used? Do they all require power AC outlets since my
client is running low on power outlets even with multiple power strips.
Heh. Or is running off a powered USB ports enough?
--
"... Ooh, we haven't done that in a long time. I love picnics. I'll
bring my ant jar." --The Berenstain Bears (unknown episode)

[Ant]

On 10/23/2012 6:40 AM PT, Ant typed:

>> You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
>> 37USD. I've used USB versions in the past with good results.
>

> Which ones did you used? Do they all require power AC outlets since my
> client is running low on power outlets even with multiple power strips.
> Heh. Or is running off a powered USB ports enough?

Also, is there a wireless service type? This old printer is far away
from the router and switch.
--
o/~ All the little ants are marching, red and black antennae waving...
they all do it the same... they all do it the same... way... o/~ --Ants
Marching song by Dave Matthews Band

[Paul Sture]

In article <eKSdnfxR4_8EBxvN...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> On 10/22/2012 11:14 PM PT, Paul Sture typed:
>
> >> I looked into this same situation for a client a few years ago (for a
> >> LaserJet 5P from memory). You can get an ethernet add-on (or at least used
> >> to be able to) from HP that plus inside the printer, but it's damn
> >> expensive. You could also probably find a third-party Parallel->USB or
> >> Parallel->Ethernet adaptor, but again it's not likely to be cheap. Either
> >> way, as you mention, you may also have issues with not having a proper
> >> printer driver. As Lewis says, it's simply cheaper and easier to just buy
> >> a new printer.
> >
> > The HP printer network cards are shockingly expensive.
>
> Like how much? I can tell my client to make him buy a new USB laser
> printer. Heh heh!

I can see plenty on ebay, but when I was looking a few years ago, the
proper HP JetDirect card for my printer was 250-300 USD (estimate
because exchange rates have changed - it was certainly a sticker shock
price for me).

>
> > A parallel port to ethernet adaptor, known as a "Print Server" is much
> > cheaper.
> >
> > Here's one example:
> >
> > <http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?status=view&prod=220_TE100-
> > P1P>
>
> Interesting. Is there a wireless version since the router/switch is far
> away from the old printer? What about Infrared?

<http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless/ss/wirelessgear_4.htm>

but the example there is only for USB printers.

I suggest you Google (Or Bing or whatever) for

"wireless print server" and see what you get.

--
Paul Sture

[Paul Sture]

In article <slrnk8dac9....@mbp55.local>,
Lewis <g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:

> In message <mstorkamp-88A0A...@news.eternal-september.org>

> For an HP printer? The last time I tried to get an ethernet thingy for
> an HP printer is was well over $150, and I think over $250.

Yep. Over $250 when I looked. Too much.

> Still, a modern MFC is a great deal. The duplex printing alone saves me
> a ton of money.

My Brother probably saves a lot of power over my old HP LaserJet. It
doesn't have the huge power brick that the HP had and goes into a deep
sleep when not in use.

--
Paul Sture

[Andreas Rutishauser]

In article <Zcydnf7p1_aNqBvN...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> On 10/22/2012 10:26 PM PT, Andreas Rutishauser typed:
>
> >> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> >> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> >> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> >> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
> >> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
> >> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(
> >
> > I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
> > the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
> > several computers in the network.
> > HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
> > MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.
>
> This one doesn't have network features. It does have InfraRed. :D

I know, that is what the d-link was for, or the JetDirects et al that
are mentioned in other posts.
Infrared requires that feature on both sides. If I remember correctly
Apple discontinued support of features other than Apple Remote with the
introduction of the Apple Remote...

[Your Name]

In article <andreas-DCA254...@news.individual.de>, Andreas

Rutishauser <and...@macandreas.ch> wrote:
> In article <Zcydnf7p1_aNqBvN...@earthlink.com>,
> Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
> > On 10/22/2012 10:26 PM PT, Andreas Rutishauser typed:
> > >>
> > >> My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
> > >> parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
> > >> printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
> > >> I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
> > >> Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
> > >> the newer ones like 10.8.2. :(
> > >
> > > I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
> > > the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
> > > several computers in the network.
> > > HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
> > > MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.
> >
> > This one doesn't have network features. It does have InfraRed. :D
>
> I know, that is what the d-link was for, or the JetDirects et al that
> are mentioned in other posts.
> Infrared requires that feature on both sides. If I remember correctly
> Apple discontinued support of features other than Apple Remote with the
> introduction of the Apple Remote...

The brief fad of infrared printing disappeared (mostly on HP printers).
It's been superceeded by wireless protocols. Infrared needs line-of-sight,
which always made it rather a clumsy, silly system.

[Andrew Smallshaw]

On 2012-10-23, Paul Sture <nos...@sture.ch> wrote:
> In article <slrnk8dac9....@mbp55.local>,
> Lewis <g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>
>> In message <mstorkamp-88A0A...@news.eternal-september.org>
>> Mark Storkamp <msto...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> > You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
>> > 37USD.
>>
>> For an HP printer? The last time I tried to get an ethernet thingy for
>> an HP printer is was well over $150, and I think over $250.
>
> Yep. Over $250 when I looked. Too much.

He was talking about a generic ethernet<->parallel interface, not
a printer-specific JetDirect card. The former are a lot cheaper
since they are much more of a commodity item. The Netgear PS-101
is probably the most famous example but there are others usch as
this one:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC-TL-PS110P-Single-Parall/dp/B003CFATR4/ref=sr_1_1


--
Andrew Smallshaw
and...@sdf.lonestar.org

[Ant]

On 10/23/2012 12:17 AM PT, David Empson typed:

> USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
> drivers or compatibility issues.

So, no USB to parallel adapters work well under Mac OS X with old
parallel printers? Interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UPPC-Parallel-6-Foot-Printer/dp/B0007UVRVO
says it works with Macs, but how well?
--
"Cheerios: Hula-hoops for ants." --unknown

[Ron Lee]

In article <o-qdnXnHXeZIKWTN...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> On 10/23/2012 12:17 AM PT, David Empson typed:
>
> > USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
> > drivers or compatibility issues.
>
> So, no USB to parallel adapters work well under Mac OS X with old
> parallel printers? Interesting.
> http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UPPC-Parallel-6-Foot-Printer/dp/B0007UVRVO
> says it works with Macs, but how well?

I don't know about this cable, but I have been using an Epson cable (USB
to parallel) with a Stylus Photo 700 printer for years. It has moved
from G4 to G5 to 2011 iMac with no problems.

[JF Mezei]

>> So, no USB to parallel adapters work well under Mac OS X with old
>> parallel printers? Interesting.
>> http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UPPC-Parallel-6-Foot-Printer/dp/B0007UVRVO
>> says it works with Macs, but how well?

In my case, I have USB-> Serial adaptor.

Devices are created in /dev to point to serial ports. OS-X has drivers
to talk to serial devices, but CUPS (the printing subsystem) did not.

"foomatic" came to the rescue (thanks to this newsgroup). It allows one
to specify a serial device in the printer destination (which includes
baud rates etc).

so in CUPS, the Connection can be set to:
Connection:
serial:/dev2/matrix?baud=9600+bits=8+parity=none+flow=soft


( /dev2/matrix is an alias that points to the cryptic /dev serial port name)

Based on quick read, it shoudl also support parallel: URIs for printer
destinations.

You can read more about foomatic:
> http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/database/foomatic#More_info

And the OS-X specific page:

> www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosxfoomatic


Basically, you create a .PPD file that describes your printer and either
specify a ghostscript command (complete with all switches etc) to be
executed, or some built-in raster support for your printer.

When you print, the system the looks up the .PPD and feeds foomatic with
the postcript file and foomatic then invokes the config within the .PPD
to convert your postscript file to the printer's native format and then
spools it to the specified device.

I believe that for serial and parallel printers, the communication is
unidirectional. (for instance it won't interrogate your printer to find
what fonts are pre-loaded on it - thsi is something you can specify in
the .PPD for instance)

[Ant]

On 1/18/2013 1:15 PM PT, Michael Vilain typed:

> Buy it and try it. It's only $11.59 with shipping. Report back on how
> well it works on what systems you tried it on. Don't know how this will
> jive with the control signals and the rest. If you print something to a
> parallel printer, the data comes over strobed at a certain rate or
> there's likely a "stop/start" sending data line. Serial printers used
> XON/XOFF character protocol to do this. I don't know how USB printers
> work but if it's just an extension of parallel printer, you might be
> half way there. Inside MacOS X, the printing system just sends print
> file to a device. If it's a USB printer, then it's a different sort of
> file than if it's a laser printer that uses Postscript or an emulator.
>
> Ultimately, inside MacOS X, you'd need a parallel port printer 'driver'
> to create the proper type of output to send to the device.
>
> You may end up sending this back, but try it and report to us.

OK, so we tried a GearHead parallel+USB adapter cable
(http://pcgearhead.com/iFrame/usb-hubs.php?PrdID=1217 ) from a local
retail store to replace the old parallel printer cable on two different
MacBook Pros (15" 2008 model with Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 13.3" mid-2012
model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly
(10.5.8 didn't even ask to download; 10.8.2 asked me to download HP
drivers first).

Print Tests in Mac OS X:

V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's
a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...

V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever
and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123"
in Office's Word!). We had to shut the printer off to stop since Mac OS
X's printer options and disconnecting USB cable could stop it.

So, does this mean this won't work at all or something else? Thank you
in advance. :)
--
"What, like I had to live with all those ants? Do you know what I did to
those ants? HoooHooo! No more ants!" --unknown

[Ant]

On 1/22/2013 5:58 AM PT, Michael Vilain typed:

> This is what I suspected. The printing system doesn't know how to
> create the proper output for the printer. The 'drivers' work for serial
> or network attached printers but not parallel printers.
>
> The serial-to-parallel conversion boxes for UNIX boxes were more
> elaborate than a mere cable. Since there's no more 'serial' ports on
> Mac, the ability to generate the proper output and send it to the
> printer seems to be limited to network transfer or direct transfer over
> USB.

So, the USB+parallel adapter description is false/inaccurate/misleading
to support old parallel printers?


> It's your call on how much time you want to spend to get this printer
> working. Can you even still get parts for it? At best, you might have
> to buy a PC with a parallel port, setup a print server in an older
> version of Windows that has remote printing features, and use that as a
> print server to use this machine.
>
> Or you could just recycle this printer and buy one that 'just works'.

Yeah, I told my client that others and I say using this printer isn't
worth it anymore since it is from the 1990s/90s. Yeah, it works like a
tank but it is time move on! He didn't want to do a print server either.
He just wanted a direct hookup to his MBPs. Whatever. Here, we proved it
that it failed on two MBPs with it.
--
"Even the sharpest ear cannot hear an ant singing." --Sudanese

[Wayne C. Morris]

In article <vilain-14598E....@news.individual.net>,
Michael Vilain <vil...@NOspamcop.net> wrote:

> In article <1p-dnZUdYLpzp2PN...@earthlink.com>,

> Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
> >
> > OK, so we tried a GearHead parallel+USB adapter cable
> > (http://pcgearhead.com/iFrame/usb-hubs.php?PrdID=1217 ) from a local
> > retail store to replace the old parallel printer cable on two different
> > MacBook Pros (15" 2008 model with Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 13.3" mid-2012
> > model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly
> > (10.5.8 didn't even ask to download; 10.8.2 asked me to download HP
> > drivers first).
> >
> > Print Tests in Mac OS X:
> >
> > V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's
> > a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...
> >
> > V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever
> > and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123"
> > in Office's Word!). We had to shut the printer off to stop since Mac OS
> > X's printer options and disconnecting USB cable could stop it.
> >
> > So, does this mean this won't work at all or something else? Thank you
> > in advance. :)
>

> This is what I suspected. The printing system doesn't know how to
> create the proper output for the printer. The 'drivers' work for serial
> or network attached printers but not parallel printers.

I doubt that's the problem. A printer driver shouldn't know or care whether the
printer is serial, parallel, USB, or ethernet. It only has to translate the
output into the printer's special language.

My old HP 5MP is connected to a Windows PC. I have no problem printing to it
from my Mac (OS 10.6.8) -- EXCEPT when I try to print from Photoshop CS3, it
spits out pages and pages with a few lines of nonsense, like Ant reported
getting from Mac OS 10.8.2.

[Jim Janney]

Michael Vilain <vil...@NOspamcop.net> writes:

> It's your call on how much time you want to spend to get this printer
> working. Can you even still get parts for it? At best, you might have
> to buy a PC with a parallel port, setup a print server in an older
> version of Windows that has remote printing features, and use that as a
> print server to use this machine.

You can buy dedicated network print servers for under $50. I used to
use a D-Link model that could be configured through an HTTP interface.
I had to set it up manually in CUPS but otherwise it worked well enough.

--
Jim Janney

[JF Mezei]

On 13-01-22 02:08, Ant wrote:

> model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly
> (10.5.8 didn't even ask to download; 10.8.2 asked me to download HP
> drivers first).

This is cool. This means that OS-X supports parallel printers out of the
box without needing foomatic (as required for serial printers)

> V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's
> a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...

The fact that your system detected the printer type indicates that
bidirectional communications did hapen. (Printer was able to send its
make/model back to computer). So the "Connecting" status could be due
to the mac talking the wrong language to the printer or not having the
proper statup sequence.

> V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever
> and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123"

The "all printer/computer codes or whatever" is important here. Is it
gibberish with lots of non alphanumeric characters , or does the output
consist of alphanumeric characters ?

For instance, if the Mac sends postscript to a printer that doesn't do
postscript, the postcript "program" will end up being printed instead of
executed by the printer. Your page print for the MacBook Pro 2008
indicates your mac believes this to be a postscript printer.

You should try to get the printer to self print its own
test/configuration page. This should indicate whether it has postscript
of just HP's own printer language. If the printer does not have
postscript, you should delete the printer from the mac, and manually
create it, selecting a model that does not have postscript so that the
Mac will translate output to HP's own language instead of sending it
postscript.

[David Empson]

For reference: out of the box, the HP LaserJet 6P is not a Postscript
printer, but you could add an HP-supplied SIMM which included 1 MB of
RAM and the Postscript interpreter in ROM.

The HP LaserJet 6MP came with that Postscript SIMM preinstalled. I have
this model (still working for occasional use with OS X 10.8.2, via an HP
JetDirect EX network print server). The front panel of the printer says
"HP LaserJet 6MP", but it identifies itself as an "HP LaserJet 6P" for
network protocols like AppleTalk.

A useless "advertised features" page can be printed by pressing the Go
button (the one with the diamond and a line in the middle). This also
says "HP LaserJet 6MP" on mine.

A page or two of self-test information can be printed by pressing the Go
button while holding down the Job Cancel button. The first page includes
details like the page count, memory installed and whether it has
Postscript. If Postscript is installed, the second page prints the
Postscript configuration.

If you have a LaserJet 6P without Postscript, Mac OS X needs to use the
PCL driver instead of the Postscript driver. If it autodetected the
printer and thought it was Postscript, that might be a bug in the
automatic identification algorithm (assuming all HP LaserJet 6Ps are
actually 6MPs or at least have the Postscript SIMM).

If the printer really does have Postscript but it isn't working, a
compatibility problem with the parallel adapter seems the most likely
cause.

--
David Empson
dem...@actrix.gen.nz

[Ant]

> Actually, it doesn't care about the connection type BUT it does care
> about the type of output. USB printers use their own 'language' to
> create the output plus a hardware connection. Networked printers have
> plethora of different languages like PCL or Postscript. The 'driver'
> has to deal with both. In the olden days, it was all just characters
> sent however either through serial or parallel ports. That evolved to a
> file of this data being shipped over the network to the printer.

> The 10.8.2 could manage the file transfer but the output was screwy.
> 10.5 couldn't even get the file over.

> If this were a specialized printer like something that drives a high-end
> process printing system, it might be worth it to spend the MONTHS to
> write drivers. It's the OP's call on that.

I don't know if a HP LaserJet 6P printer is a high-end process printing
system. It is from the 1990s/90s. Heh! Speaking of drivers,
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Mac-Printing-and-Scanning/Connect-a-very-old-parallel-HP-LaserJet-6P-printer-to/td-p/2342703
replies told me to download and install HP drivers. Uhh, 10.8.2 offered
to give me drivers when I connected the printer! Isn't it the same?
10.5.8 didn't, but it did detect the printer's name and picture
correctly! I guess I could try downloading the big driver sets, install,
and reboot (did not reboot since I wasn't asked to last night).


> Or you could recycle this thing and buy one that just works.

Yeah.
--
Quote of the Week: "Do not kill ants. They are your best friends." --Joe Brainard
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,
( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

No servers. Just direct links.

--
Quote of the Week: "Do not kill ants. They are your best friends." --Joe Brainard

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,

( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

> > model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly
> > (10.5.8 didn't even ask to download; 10.8.2 asked me to download HP
> > drivers first).

> This is cool. This means that OS-X supports parallel printers out of the
> box without needing foomatic (as required for serial printers)



> > V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's
> > a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...

> The fact that your system detected the printer type indicates that
> bidirectional communications did hapen. (Printer was able to send its
> make/model back to computer). So the "Connecting" status could be due
> to the mac talking the wrong language to the printer or not having the
> proper statup sequence.

> > V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever
> > and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123"

> The "all printer/computer codes or whatever" is important here. Is it
> gibberish with lots of non alphanumeric characters , or does the output
> consist of alphanumeric characters ?

Alphanumerical characters IIRC. And it goes forever.

> For instance, if the Mac sends postscript to a printer that doesn't do
> postscript, the postcript "program" will end up being printed instead of
> executed by the printer. Your page print for the MacBook Pro 2008
> indicates your mac believes this to be a postscript printer.

> You should try to get the printer to self print its own
> test/configuration page. This should indicate whether it has postscript
> of just HP's own printer language. If the printer does not have
> postscript, you should delete the printer from the mac, and manually
> create it, selecting a model that does not have postscript so that the
> Mac will translate output to HP's own language instead of sending it
> postscript.

Rats, I just did that last night (readable) but didn't look to see if it
was postscript or not. So I should manually add LaserJet 6P without its
PostScript? If not, then which one? That's a question.

--
Quote of the Week: "Do not kill ants. They are your best friends." --Joe Brainard

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,

( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

> OK, so we tried a GearHead parallel+USB adapter cable
> (http://pcgearhead.com/iFrame/usb-hubs.php?PrdID=1217 ) from a local
> retail store to replace the old parallel printer cable on two different
> MacBook Pros (15" 2008 model with Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 13.3" mid-2012
> model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly
> (10.5.8 didn't even ask to download; 10.8.2 asked me to download HP
> drivers first).
>
> Print Tests in Mac OS X:
>
> V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's
> a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...
>
> V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever
> and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123"
> in Office's Word!). We had to shut the printer off to stop since Mac OS
> X's printer options and disconnecting USB cable could stop it.
>
> So, does this mean this won't work at all or something else? Thank you
> in advance. :)

More useful(?) results tonight:

http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif -- Self Test/Configuration Printout --
Note its 2 MB of RAM and nothing about PostScript.

Tried the provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this
time (will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long
work day):
http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png
http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png
http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)
Still can't print anything (stuck).

I give up for now. Hopefully, these reveal more details for you guys. ;)
--
"An ant's nest could bring down a hill." --Japanese

[Ant]

On 1/22/2013 3:08 PM PT, David Empson typed:

> A useless "advertised features" page can be printed by pressing the Go
> button (the one with the diamond and a line in the middle). This also
> says "HP LaserJet 6MP" on mine.
>
> A page or two of self-test information can be printed by pressing the Go
> button while holding down the Job Cancel button. The first page includes
> details like the page count, memory installed and whether it has
> Postscript. If Postscript is installed, the second page prints the
> Postscript configuration.
>
> If you have a LaserJet 6P without Postscript, Mac OS X needs to use the
> PCL driver instead of the Postscript driver. If it autodetected the
> printer and thought it was Postscript, that might be a bug in the
> automatic identification algorithm (assuming all HP LaserJet 6Ps are
> actually 6MPs or at least have the Postscript SIMM).

OK, it looks like this LaserJet 6P does not come with PostScript from
its printout and only has 2 MB (no SIMMs) according to its scanned one
page print out: http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif ....

FYI from more fiddling tonight in the old MBP's Mac OS X 10.5.8 only. I
did not download and install the linked drivers yet. I tried the

provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this time
(will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long work day):
http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png
http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png
http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)
Still can't print anything (stuck).

I give up for now. Hopefully, these reveal more details for you guys. ;)
--

"Where there is sugar, there are bound to be ants." --Malay Proverb

[Gernot Hassenpflug]

You may well be using a parallel port to usb adapter and the driver
was not usb compatible with this printer:
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=85252

(Just for reference) HP drivers:
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html
HP OS support for the 6P:
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/models/laserjet/hp_laserjet_6p.html
The Laserjet 6P uses PCL language with PJL (job description) in
addtition, and also direct test printing with us-ascii charset:
http://www.openprinting.org/printer/HP/HP-LaserJet_6P

Useful instructions for 6P on parallel:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1657590

On blacklisting modules for CUPS:
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=141700

In my experience, the gutenprint PCL driver (only B/W support, which
is enough in this case) may have bugs, and it is also not maintained
(any volunteers, please step up), and if there are bugs these will
likely not get worked on.
However, the 6P is supposedly supported, and I have little doubt that it works.

What may not work, is the CUPS filters needed to get the data into the
format gutenprint expects. This is due to the change in workflow from
PS to PDF on linux, compounded with the fact that CUPS just drops all
the non-Mac filters and let Openprinting.org take them over. So if you
get garbage coming out, the problem needs to be reported as a CUPS
filter problem at open-printing (or initially even on the CUPS users
ML comp.printing.cups.general (accessible via Gmane as a newsgroup
too).
--
Gernot Hassenpflug

[JF Mezei]

Delete the print queue that exists.

When you create a new one, look for an option of "Print Using". In it,
you can select a standard PCL printer or select custom printers too. So
yiou can force that queue to be created as a PCL queue instead of
letting OS-X think it is a postscript printer.

(Not sure if there is a way to change an existing queue)

[David Empson]

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> On 1/22/2013 3:08 PM PT, David Empson typed:
>
> > A useless "advertised features" page can be printed by pressing the Go
> > button (the one with the diamond and a line in the middle). This also
> > says "HP LaserJet 6MP" on mine.
> >
> > A page or two of self-test information can be printed by pressing the Go
> > button while holding down the Job Cancel button. The first page includes
> > details like the page count, memory installed and whether it has
> > Postscript. If Postscript is installed, the second page prints the
> > Postscript configuration.
> >
> > If you have a LaserJet 6P without Postscript, Mac OS X needs to use the
> > PCL driver instead of the Postscript driver. If it autodetected the
> > printer and thought it was Postscript, that might be a bug in the
> > automatic identification algorithm (assuming all HP LaserJet 6Ps are
> > actually 6MPs or at least have the Postscript SIMM).
>
> OK, it looks like this LaserJet 6P does not come with PostScript from
> its printout and only has 2 MB (no SIMMs) according to its scanned one
> page print out: http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif ....

Agreed.

> FYI from more fiddling tonight in the old MBP's Mac OS X 10.5.8 only. I
> did not download and install the linked drivers yet. I tried the
> provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this time
> (will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long work day):
> http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png
> http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png
> http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)
> Still can't print anything (stuck).

If I try to print to my 6MP via my JetDirect (network print server)
using the Gutenprint drivers on 10.8.2, it sends data to the printer,
but nothing gets printed (lights blink indicating an incoming job, then
it stops and returns to the idle state).

Investigating the network traffic with Wireshark, it looks like it is
sending PJL/PCL to the printer, but I expect it doesn't work because my
printer is expecting Postscript via that connection. (It returns a
Postscript error: "%%[Error: undefined; Offending command: " followed by
an echo of the first part of the PJL/PCL.)

In your case, it sounds more like that USB to parallel adapter is not
working properly in Mac OS X 10.5, but it might work in 10.8, as long as
you manually set up the printer using the Gutenprint driver rather than
the Postscript one.

--
David Empson
dem...@actrix.gen.nz

[Wayne C. Morris]

In article <FpmdnfJYkrb66GLN...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> More useful(?) results tonight:
>
> http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif -- Self Test/Configuration Printout --
> Note its 2 MB of RAM and nothing about PostScript.
>
> Tried the provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this
> time (will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long
> work day):
> http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png
> http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png
> http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)
> Still can't print anything (stuck).

3MB is the smallest in that list because you selected a Postscript driver. An HP
6P/6MP with the Postscript SIMM installed cannot have less than 3MB -- one 2MB
RAM SIMM plus 1MB of RAM on the Postscript SIMM.

And according to the Self Test printout, your printer doesn't have a Postscript
SIMM installed, so none of the Postscript drivers will work. Your printer only
understands PCL.

Try the "Select a driver to use" option again, and type PCL in the search box.
If you see "Generic PCL Laser Printer", try that. It worked okay with my HP 5MP
when I removed the Postscript SIMM, so it should work with your HP 6P.

[Ant]

> You may well be using a parallel port to usb adapter and the driver
> was not usb compatible with this printer:
> http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=85252

Interesting. I am still waiting for the company's support to reply to my
e-mail about this printer issue. So far, nothing. :(

> (Just for reference) HP drivers:
> http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html
> HP OS support for the 6P:
> http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/models/laserjet/hp_laserjet_6p.html
> The Laserjet 6P uses PCL language with PJL (job description) in
> addtition, and also direct test printing with us-ascii charset:
> http://www.openprinting.org/printer/HP/HP-LaserJet_6P

> Useful instructions for 6P on parallel:
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1657590

> On blacklisting modules for CUPS:
> https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=141700

> In my experience, the gutenprint PCL driver (only B/W support, which
> is enough in this case) may have bugs, and it is also not maintained
> (any volunteers, please step up), and if there are bugs these will
> likely not get worked on.
> However, the 6P is supposedly supported, and I have little doubt that it works.

> What may not work, is the CUPS filters needed to get the data into the
> format gutenprint expects. This is due to the change in workflow from
> PS to PDF on linux, compounded with the fact that CUPS just drops all
> the non-Mac filters and let Openprinting.org take them over. So if you
> get garbage coming out, the problem needs to be reported as a CUPS
> filter problem at open-printing (or initially even on the CUPS users
> ML comp.printing.cups.general (accessible via Gmane as a newsgroup
> too).

Thanks. Fun. ;)

--
Quote of the Week: "Do not kill ants. They are your best friends." --Joe Brainard

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,

( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

On 1/23/2013 12:34 AM PT, JF Mezei typed:

So, I tried a "Generic PCL Laser Printer, 1.3" driver in Mac OS X 10.5.8:
http://i.imgur.com/AD9WnWc.png
http://i.imgur.com/rJWBd4z.png
http://i.imgur.com/xiXYfC6.png

When I do a new print of http://news.google.com (first page), Mac OS X
thinks it is offline. :(

I have not tried it on Mac OS X 10.8.2 yet and downloaded newer drivers
for both versions.

Also, I accidently removed all the installed printers when I did a reset
of its printer system. Oops! :(
--
"Ants can attack with a grain of rice." --a Malagasy Proverb

[Ant]

On 1/23/2013 1:05 AM PT, David Empson typed:

> In your case, it sounds more like that USB to parallel adapter is not
> working properly in Mac OS X 10.5, but it might work in 10.8, as long as
> you manually set up the printer using the Gutenprint driver rather than
> the Postscript one.

OK, I will mess wiuth 10.8.2 MBP later this weekend. I am only messing
with the old one for now. Funny how the adapter said it supports Mac OS
X 10.3 and up. :P
--
"The Hunam Tiger ant has been known to consume an entire meal before the
picnic guest arrive." --12th century Tang Dynasty proverb.

[Ant]

On 1/23/2013 9:31 AM PT, Wayne C. Morris typed:

>> http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif -- Self Test/Configuration Printout --
>> Note its 2 MB of RAM and nothing about PostScript.
>>
>> Tried the provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this
>> time (will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long
>> work day):
>> http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png
>> http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png
>> http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)
>> Still can't print anything (stuck).
>
> 3MB is the smallest in that list because you selected a Postscript driver. An HP
> 6P/6MP with the Postscript SIMM installed cannot have less than 3MB -- one 2MB
> RAM SIMM plus 1MB of RAM on the Postscript SIMM.

Ah! That explains why I don't see this when not using PostScript one.

> And according to the Self Test printout, your printer doesn't have a Postscript
> SIMM installed, so none of the Postscript drivers will work. Your printer only
> understands PCL.
>
> Try the "Select a driver to use" option again, and type PCL in the search box.
> If you see "Generic PCL Laser Printer", try that. It worked okay with my HP 5MP
> when I removed the Postscript SIMM, so it should work with your HP 6P.

So, I tried a "Generic PCL Laser Printer, 1.3" driver in Mac OS X 10.5.8:
http://i.imgur.com/AD9WnWc.png
http://i.imgur.com/rJWBd4z.png
http://i.imgur.com/xiXYfC6.png

When I do a new print of http://news.google.com (first page), Mac OS X
thinks it is offline. :(

I have not tried it on Mac OS X 10.8.2 yet and downloaded newer drivers
for both versions.

Also, I accidently removed all the installed printers when I did a reset
of its printer system. Oops! :(
--

"But, you may argue, our uniqueness is so extreme! More extreme than the
platypus which looks like a collection of leftover parts? More unique
than the societal honeybee with its division of labor? More unique than
the communist ants who keep aphids as farm animals?" --John Logan

[JF Mezei]

BTW based on previous messages, it appears that there is no comunication
to your printer on your older Mac. So having the right driver/print
queue doesn't change the fact that the computer cannot send bits to the
printer.

On your newer mac, it is established that the system can send data to
your printer, but you need to make sure PCL is sent instead of postscript.

So when testing a PCL queue, you need to do it on the newer mac since it
is the only one capable of sending bits to your printer.

[Ant]

On 1/23/2013 10:17 PM PT, Michael Vilain typed:

> That's because they're trying to sell you the adapter. The vendor
> probably only tried it on a VERY old PPC system running 10.3 some 10+
> years ago. If they tried it with every release of MacOS, I'd be very
> surprised. And they didn't say what their testing environment was, so
> you don't know what they tested it with.

I finally got a reply:

"Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:24:58 -0800
From: Gearhead Support <sup...@pcgearheadsupport.com>
To: Ant
Subject: Re: Gear Head Support Request for CA2500
User-Agent: Roundcube Webmail/0.5.4

Most commonly, the reason you get things like this is bad communication
between
the printer and the usb to parallel device. Make sure the connector on the
printer end isn't loose.

Another cause is having the incorrect driver installed. Although HP is
pretty fa
ult-tolerant on this, if your printer is set up for Postscript and you
have a PCL
driver installed, weird things will happen. (PCL and Postscript are
languages
which HP printers speak. They are very different from each other and are not
compatible.)

Instead of using the HP driver, see if your Mac will let you select a
generic PC
L or Postscript driver, whichever matches your printer's personality
(yes, this
is the correct word...). If you're not sure which personality is
installed, it's
probably PCL.

If this doesn't help, there's also the chance that the cable is
defective..."


I plan to fiddle with this printer and cable adapter later this weekend. :)
--
"Remember when walking down the road of life, always stop and squish the
ants." --Albian in Creatures game

[Ant]

OK. I finally made progress on that old 15" MBP with Mac OS X 10.5.8.
Downloading and installing HP's printer driver package from
http://support.apple.com/downloads/HP_Printer_Driver_1_1_1 and readded
the printer did not help. Same problems and symptoms.

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/ printer drivers, that someone
mentioned (can't find it, but thanks to whoever it was), did work after
a reboot! However, it doesn't always print correctly it seems. It can be
full, partially, or none (offline it says -- reboots or reconnecting USB
cable seems to fix it). Oh well.

I will try the newer/other MBP with its Mac OS X 10.8.2 tomorrow or so.
I think I will skip HP printer drivers since I remember it downloaded
when I connected the printer on Monday night (should be the same
package). I will just go to its Gutenprint printer drivers.
--
"While an ant was wandering under the shade of the tree of Phæton, a
drop of amber enveloped the tiny insect; thus she, who in life was
disregarded, became precious by death." --Martial, Epigrams (c. 80-104
AD), Book VI, Epistle 15.

[JF Mezei]

> a reboot! However, it doesn't always print correctly it seems. It can be
> full, partially, or none (offline it says -- reboots or reconnecting USB
> cable seems to fix it). Oh well.

If you don't have any additional memory on your printer, this could
explain why you can only print simpler pages.


With Postscript the PPD file used by the software that generates the
postscript will sually contain the RAM available and there are some
trucks one can use to reduce memory required (such as breaking up one
large image into multiple smaller ones). This was often the case in the
early days of laser printers, not sure anyone bothers anymore.

[Ant]

On 1/26/2013 7:33 PM PT, Ant typed:

> OK. I finally made progress on that old 15" MBP with Mac OS X 10.5.8.
> Downloading and installing HP's printer driver package from
> http://support.apple.com/downloads/HP_Printer_Driver_1_1_1 and readded
> the printer did not help. Same problems and symptoms.
>
> http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/ printer drivers, that someone
> mentioned (can't find it, but thanks to whoever it was), did work after
> a reboot! However, it doesn't always print correctly it seems. It can be
> full, partially, or none (offline it says -- reboots or reconnecting USB
> cable seems to fix it). Oh well.
>
> I will try the newer/other MBP with its Mac OS X 10.8.2 tomorrow or so.
> I think I will skip HP printer drivers since I remember it downloaded
> when I connected the printer on Monday night (should be the same
> package). I will just go to its Gutenprint printer drivers.

FYI. I have had two pages that came out with these codes on a new page
before printing good results so far:

%!PS-Adobe-3.0 Query
userdict(\004)cvn{}put
%%?BeginFeatureQuery:
*?InstalledMemor
--
"In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed." --Thailand

[Ant]

On 1/26/2013 9:41 PM PT, JF Mezei typed:

Hmm. Even a simple "test" word in TextEdit? FYI, I had to reboot MBP
again to make the printer work again. Disconnecting USB cable isn't
enough. Sheesh.

--
"In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed." --Thailand

[JF Mezei]

On 13-01-27 01:26, Ant wrote:

> FYI. I have had two pages that came out with these codes on a new page
> before printing good results so far:
>
> %!PS-Adobe-3.0 Query
> userdict(\004)cvn{}put
> %%?BeginFeatureQuery:
> *?InstalledMemor

This is postscript code.

Your computer attempted to send postscript. Then perhaps realised it was
not compatible and switched to PCL.

You should really specify in your queue setup that this is a PCL only
printer.

[JF Mezei]

On 13-01-27 01:28, Ant wrote:

> Hmm. Even a simple "test" word in TextEdit? FYI, I had to reboot MBP
> again to make the printer work again. Disconnecting USB cable isn't
> enough. Sheesh.

I would first work to make the prnter worm on the more recent machine.
Once you kow this is working fine, you can try it on he older one.

[Ant]

On 1/26/2013 11:41 PM PT, JF Mezei typed:

Weird. I told its driver to use non-Postscript. Maybe it is a left over
even though its software printer queue was empty? Oh well, we'll see
when I fiddle more later today. So far, my client is happy with the old
MBP and this printer. We'll see how it goes for the newer MBP later
today so stay tuned!
--
"If someone makes you angry, I think the thing to do is tie them down to
the ground, cover them in honey, and then release a swarm of killer ants
on them. That way, you can hit them over and over again and say, 'Hey!
I'm just trying to help!' and they can't really get mad at you." --R.M.
Weiner

[David Empson]

We've already established that this printer doesn't have Postscript
(which is an optional SIMM in the HP LaserJet 6P, and is not installed).

The driver must be using PCL to print anything. As far as I recall, PCL
only uses the memory in the printer for downloading fonts and enlarging
the rastering buffer, so less memory should only result in slower
printing, not an inability to print certain jobs.

--
David Empson
dem...@actrix.gen.nz

[JF Mezei]

On 13-01-27 14:33, David Empson wrote:

> The driver must be using PCL to print anything. As far as I recall, PCL
> only uses the memory in the printer for downloading fonts and enlarging
> the rastering buffer, so less memory should only result in slower
> printing, not an inability to print certain jobs.

My current laser printer (and old Digital one (built by HP)) would not
be able to print a full page image until I loaded it with 16 meg of RAM.
The default ram was insufficient for it to process the full page image.

My take is that the printer needs ram to read in the data from an image
and then convert the image to b/w pixels, scale it, apply rotation etc,
and then move the resulting bitmap to the raster buffer.

The bigger the image, the more RAM you need to process it. So it would
be different from processing multiple smaller images, since each image
require less memory to be processed and that memory is then freed to be
used by the next small image.

I have to assume that PCL would work in a similar way.

This is for the issue where the person can print simple pages but not
complex ones.

[Ant]

On 1/27/2013 10:36 AM PT, Ant typed:

> Weird. I told its driver to use non-Postscript. Maybe it is a left over
> even though its software printer queue was empty? Oh well, we'll see
> when I fiddle more later today. So far, my client is happy with the old
> MBP and this printer. We'll see how it goes for the newer MBP later
> today so stay tuned!

Weird! I did not have to install any third party drivers or anything. It
just worked perfectly today. The only thing difference from Monday night
was powering off and on that MBP. Maybe it needed to be rebooted during
Monday night's setup. The printout results were similiar so far. We'll
see... I did tell my client to expect possible problems from the old
printer that I ran to including reboots if printer doesn't work. He's OK
with that (I'm not since I hate rebootings :P). Thanks all if this is
over. ;)
--
"None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing." --Ben Franklin

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