Network printing problems (Mac and pc)

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PaulW

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I've looked through the other threads and follwed some advice but they don't seem to solve my problem.

I have a Mac mini G4 running OS-X Tiger, a Toshiba laptop running Win XP, and a Dell laptop running Win98.

The Dell Laptop and the Mac mini are connected to my Netgear router via Ethernet and the Tosh has a wireless connection.

The Tosh has an old Laserjet 4L printer connected that I have managed to find drivers for for the Mac, so I can print to that from all machines.

I also have a Lexmark X85 All in one which no matter how I try to set up does not seem to want to work.

If I install it on the Mac using the drivers provided I can print from the Mac but not from the pc's

If I install it on the Dell laptop then I can 'see' it from the Mac, but Lexmark drivers are not available and it using the generic postscript driver and produces a load of gobbledygook on the printer itself.
 
To print to a non-postscript printer from OS X using the standard network options (including Windows printer), you need a CUPS driver. The 4L works because Apple included Gimp-Print (CUPS) drivers. I don't know of a CUPS driver to support your Lexmark. You could experiment with those in the Gimp-Print set.

Or, you can set up your XP PC to be a postscript RIP server:
http://iharder.sourceforge.net/macosx/winmacprinter/
 
Thanks for that, failing everything else I'll try it.

what I would really like to do is have the Lexmark on the Mac, which is my main machine and 'always on'.
The XP laptop is the one that is probably the most infrequently connected, which is why its wireless.
 
have you tried making your mac a print server? First turn on Print Server in File Sharing. Then try to connect the Tosh and Dell computers to your printer through your mac. I wonder if that would solve your issues?
 
Thank you gsahli; I couldn't have said it better myself! (Though I did give some brief instructions in my last post, yours is much more specific.)
 
Hey Gsahli, any chance you have a page like that for the complete opposite situation?

I have a network of about 5 PCs, all running xp, with an HP printer on one of the PC's. all the pc's connect to a router.

I've now introduced a mac to the network, and want to be able to print to the printer that is shared by the pc, and attached to the PC. all the other PC's can print to that printer as it is right now.

for the life of me, I can't figure it out, i'm a newbie, and this is my first mac.

THANKS!
 
Oh wow, another request for help from someone who fails to state which printer he is using. Really makes my day. However, drivers for most HP printers are included with MacOS X. You might begin by launching Printer Setup Utility. Despite your sketchy information, you seem to have a very straightforward setup. If you can't figure it out from there, then report back with your specific model information. It may also help to know how the printer is connected to the router and which communications protocol you are using.
 
Its an HP5550 DeskJet. I've tried the printer setups, and couldnt figure it out. perhaps it needs the IP of the computer that the printer is attached to?

The printer is not connected to the router, its connected to one of the PC's that is connected to the router. The other PC's on the network can print to the printer, as it is a shared printer. hope that helps any.
 
As far as the Mac goes, your setup is fairly simple. You have to use the built-in CUPS system. You need to download the CUPS driver for the HP DeskJet 5550. The MacOS X Help menu explains how to connect to a printer shared with a Windows computer.
 
Sorry ghasli, I've already see that page and it doesn't work!

Thanks for hijacking my thread wildboys, if you did a search you would have come across http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3015.html

Can we get back to my problem.

I've got Win 98 for a start on one laptop. when I get to the part where i put the IP location for the printer it comes back saying the printer is not on line. I can continue but if I do I then get the error
"This printr could not be installed Quit all programs, restart Windows, and then try again."

I can get to the Mac for file access, but I cannot see the printer if I do a browse during the Add printer routine
 
While you might think you have an opposite problem it might have the same solution. You need a print server so all your computers can print to the same printer. Since you have the network set up, try the same steps outlined in this post on your mac and connect your HP5550 to that mac set up as the Print Server and see if your pc can see that printer.

If your router had a built in print server you'd just connect your printer to that and you'd be done; using the mac to server the printer is the next best thing.

Let us know that works for you.
 
PaulW,
I've never used Windows 98, so I'm at a disadvantage here. Try adding a network/"internet" printer, and fill in this URI:
http://ip_address:631/printers/queue_name
(Get queue name on Mac by highlighting printer in Printer Setup and clicking "Show Info.")

You will have to add the printer with a color postscript driver - the Mac translates postscript to the printer commands. On Windows XP I recommend Apple Color LaserWriter xx for this, because it is included and works. But an HP Color Laserjet PS driver will probably work.
 
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