Printer problem

[Trixs]

I have this problem that sometimes my printer doesn't work. I think it happens after my macbook has been hibernating (I'm not a 100 percent sure about this, I'll test it). It won't work again until I restart my macbook. This is the error message I get:

fatal: Opening Printer Connection Failed: Unable to open the printer connection. Please check your printer connections and check for printer errors.

Any idea what this could be a about? The printer is a hp psc 1210.

 

[varmit]

I have this problem that sometimes my printer doesn't work. I think it happens after my macbook has been hibernating (I'm not a 100 percent sure about this, I'll test it). It won't work again until I restart my macbook. This is the error message I get:

fatal: Opening Printer Connection Failed: Unable to open the printer connection. Please check your printer connections and check for printer errors.

Any idea what this could be a about? The printer is a hp psc 1210.

I believe the PSC printers from HP have a few issues. Try updating the drivers, and I'm only seeing 10.4 as being supported, but I would use the 10.4 drivers on 10.5 if that is what you have.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=219&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=90764

 

[Trixs]

I installed them, it seemed to work for a little while but now I'm getting the same error again.

 

[velocityg4]

You can try using the opensource driver HPIJS you will also need to download and install Foomatic-RIP and Ghostscript (gplgs-8.61) just choose the correct versions for your Mac. You will only get printing functionality at this time since HPLIP has not been ported to OS X yet.

One bonus is the printing will also work over the printer shared on a Windows PC or as a standalone network device.

 

[merl1n]

I installed them, it seemed to work for a little while but now I'm getting the same error again.

You can try this:

Press the cancel button on your printer (wakes it up).

In the print queue, pause the printer. Wait a few seconds for the window to update. Then press the "resume button" in the window.

It may help.

 

[Trixs]

You can try using the opensource driver HPIJS you will also need to download and install Foomatic-RIP and Ghostscript (gplgs-8.61) just choose the correct versions for your Mac. You will only get printing functionality at this time since HPLIP has not been ported to OS X yet.

One bonus is the printing will also work over the printer shared on a Windows PC or as a standalone network device.

I guess I could try that although I'd obviously prefer it if all functionalities of the printer would actually work. I don't get why they can't make proper drivers for this device, it can't be that hard?

 

[ravenvii]

I guess I could try that although I'd obviously prefer it if all functionalities of the printer would actually work. I don't get why they can't make proper drivers for this device, it can't be that hard?

You would be surprised. It's amazing how manufacturers make good hardware but write horrendous drivers for them.

*glares at Logitech*

 

[merl1n]

You would be surprised. It's amazing how manufacturers make good hardware but write horrendous drivers for them.

*glares at Logitech*

HP is notorious for this. They don't update (or seldom update) their drivers for their printers that are a few years old, but concentrate on their new line of printers. I have a new HP OJ L7780 and they updated their drivers this past February, but it still has some communications bugs like what you describe.

That's why I suggested what I stated in my previous post. This may (or may not) be a viable workaround for you. It won't hurt to try it and if it works for you, you can leave your system alone.

 

[Trixs]

HP is notorious for this. They don't update (or seldom update) their drivers for their printers that are a few years old, but concentrate on their new line of printers. I have a new HP OJ L7780 and they updated their drivers this past February, but it still has some communications bugs like what you describe.

That's why I suggested what I stated in my previous post. This may (or may not) be a viable workaround for you. It won't hurt to try it and if it works for you, you can leave your system alone.

Bastards, hehe. Anyway, I don't think your workaround worked but I'll try it again the next time my printer refuses. Otherwise I'll try those open source drivers. Thanks for the help either way!

 

[Avenger23]

Have you maybe tried uninstalling the printer drivers from your Mac? I noticed on HP's website for your HP printer that they mentioned the Leopard OS has the most current drivers available at the time. What I'm wondering is that you may have the older 10.3/10.4 driver loaded and it is causing the problem.

I had a similar case with my best friends iMac when it came to printer problems. He upgraded his machine to Leopard and all of a sudden when he tried to print to his Lexmark printer the program would crash and the printer application would crash also. It wound up being that his printer driver was for 10.3/10.4 and not for 10.5. Just a suggestion to see if this might help you out there.

BTW... here is the link to the document I found on HP
http://h41140.www4.hp.com/mac_connect/pdf/Mac_OS_launch_special.pdf