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New Mac users forum: Printer problem

by: carynna June 12, 2011 4:25 AM PDT

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Printer problem

by carynna - 6/12/11 4:25 AM

I have iMac OS X, 10.6.7, 3.06 Ghz, 4 GB. HP Officejet 6500 E710n-z printer. I am new to the Mac. Problem - the only way I can print is to disconnect the printer entirely and plug back in. The printer shows up in the hardware list via a USB port and is the only printer connected - designated default printer. I am not using the fax capability. When I look at the status of the printer waiting for it to print - the message says "waiting for the printer to become available". The current status right now shows idle. I have spent hours with HP help desk trying to solve. Office Depot switched out printer for me thinking it was a (?) loop problem with the 1st machine. This may make me sound very computer savvy - please believe me, I am not! I can continue to plug and unplug, but it sure would be nice to click print and have it happen! Thanks.


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Clarification request: Is the printer connected directly to the Mac

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 6/12/11 5:18 AM

In Reply to: Printer problem by carynna

or is it connected to a USB hub?
Have you tried it in a different USB port?
<div>
Have you tried the wireless printing option? If so, does it do the same thing?

I guess we can assume that as you have been on with HP for hours, you have the latest software installed. Did HP get you to download anything from their site?

P
</div>


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The printer is connected directly

by carynna - 6/12/11 8:09 AM

In Reply to: Is the printer connected directly to the Mac by mrmacfixit Moderator

The printer is connected to the USP port on the back of the computer. I have tried all of the ports, bought new cable. The help desk did take me to Air-something (wireless), but had the same problem. I just looked and AirPort On is grayed and AirPort Off is bold. I assume that means that I am not wireless? I did dl whatever HP said to dl for this printer to work for the Mac. I am hooked into a Netgear router - fairly new - b/c of 2 separate computers with cable access.
What is so confusing to me is: the printer is "there", it will print after unplugging and replugging. Why doesn't it work without having to break the connection?


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Posting

by carynna - 6/12/11 12:06 PM

In Reply to: The printer is connected directly by carynna

I show 3 posts but only see 2. Am I missing the connect link or does that 3 include my original question?


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Sometimes the counter gets confused,

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 6/12/11 4:00 PM

In Reply to: Posting by carynna

currently there are 5 posts, counting this one, in this thread.

Not sure what is going on with your printer though.

There is a USB problem in one of the ends, it would seem.

The Mac "should" wake up the printer when you have something to print.

Airport on is grayed means that it is ON. If you have not got a wireless network for it to connect to, the fan shaped icon in the menu bar will be empty.

If at all possible, try connecting the printer with an ethernet cable to the Netgear router and then configuring the printer that way.
Just a thought

P


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Thanks for the suggestions

by carynna - 6/14/11 3:39 PM

In Reply to: Sometimes the counter gets confused, by mrmacfixit Moderator

I have been away from the computer and will not be able to try any of the suggestions until the weekend. How do I connect with an ethernet cable to the router? Not even sure what an ethernet cable is! My Mac is connected to the router. I do have the fan shaped icon in the menu bar.


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(NT) Let's try the Gutenprint drivers first

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 6/14/11 5:34 PM

In Reply to: Thanks for the suggestions by carynna


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could be a driver problem

by macnerd10 - 6/13/11 12:28 AM

In Reply to: The printer is connected directly by carynna

To sort out this potential problem, I would download and install Gutenprint drivers (at http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net; current version is 5.2.6). I had some problems with Apple-supplied HP drivers and when I switched to Gutenprint all's well and fast. The download is free.


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Gutenprint drivers

by carynna - 6/14/11 3:41 PM

In Reply to: could be a driver problem by macnerd10

If I dl and install that driver and it doesn't work, can I easily switch back to what I have currently?


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You should be able to

by macnerd10 - 6/14/11 5:06 PM

In Reply to: Gutenprint drivers by carynna

Just choose add printer and choose a different driver when prompted. But in my experience, Gutenprint drivers are more reliable than HP.


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