Print to a non-Mac-supported Windows-connected printer
Dec 04, '07 07:30:08AM • Contributed by: Anonymous
Dec 04, '07 07:30:08AM • Contributed by: Anonymous
I have a mixed network of a 475 (8.1), 7300 (9.1), G4 PowerBook (10.4), and an XP box. I recently bought a Canon Laser printer for which there are no Mac drivers.
To print to a Windows (XP) printer for which there isn't a Mac driver, a useful method is to install Port Redirection and Ghostscript/Ghostview on the XP box. Then create a virtual printer using the descriptor of a known Printer (e.g. Apple LaserWriter...). The virtual printer will be configured to redirect its output to GSPrint, which will actually send the job to the real printer using the Windows driver(s).
Here are detailed directions, with the additional caveats that the Windows printer name must not contain more than 12 characters, and if the Windows box has a workgroup name (other than workgroup), this must be entered in Directory Access (in Applications » Utilities) on the Mac. Double click on the SMB/CIFS entry.
By creating an LPR virtual printer, which points to the ordinary virtual printer, I also can print from either of the older Macs to the Laser. This works so well I moved an Epson inkjet from the 7300 to the PC -- Windows makes a fine print server.
To print to a Windows (XP) printer for which there isn't a Mac driver, a useful method is to install Port Redirection and Ghostscript/Ghostview on the XP box. Then create a virtual printer using the descriptor of a known Printer (e.g. Apple LaserWriter...). The virtual printer will be configured to redirect its output to GSPrint, which will actually send the job to the real printer using the Windows driver(s).
Here are detailed directions, with the additional caveats that the Windows printer name must not contain more than 12 characters, and if the Windows box has a workgroup name (other than workgroup), this must be entered in Directory Access (in Applications » Utilities) on the Mac. Double click on the SMB/CIFS entry.
By creating an LPR virtual printer, which points to the ordinary virtual printer, I also can print from either of the older Macs to the Laser. This works so well I moved an Epson inkjet from the 7300 to the PC -- Windows makes a fine print server.
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