Turn a Dell into a Lexmark (Reflash firmware?)

[Shrout1]

Howdy all,

Got a Dell 720 printer this summer with the purchase of a laptop. It is readily apparent that the printer is a rebadged Lexmark z6XX - either a z605 or z615.

In any case, there are no drivers which will make this printer work with Mac OS X due to the fact that it is a "Dell" printer.

My question is this: Because the hardware is the same, wouldn't Lexmark firmware run the printer just fine?

And also, where do I find both the firmware and a utility to reflash the Dell printer. (Beyond that, is the Firmware actually just stamped to a ROM or do I actually have the ability to change it myself?)

Thanks a million!

 

[jbernie]

From a windows point of view you would be able to run the lexmark drivers and be done with it. Not having a mac (shame on me!) I have no idea how you can select drivers etc.

After doing a google search and then seeing some fo the responses, including some old ones here, a different printer seems to be the way to go.

Unless there is someone here who can help you on making the Mac OS think its really a lexmark.

 

[Bear]

Considering how much ink is for the Dell printers,after you factor in a couple of sets of replacement ink, it would cost you less to buy a supported printer.

 

[mkrishnan]

Mmmm, but are there even drivers for either of those Lexmark printers for OS X? I didn't see them on the GIMP-Print list or on the Apple list....

 

[Shrout1]

I've heard that there are Drivers for Lexmark - honestly haven't looked yet.

As for the cartridges being expensive, they definitely are - This printer is intended to be a fairly low usage machine - most likely only school papers, etc. The cartridges would probably take longer than a year to replace, seeing as the ink doesn't go bad first. Also, a modified Lexmark refill kit is said to get the job done.

My next question might be this: Could Virtual PC connect to this printer? Much as "A different Printer" is the obvious solution here, I wouldn't have made this topic if I were intent upon doing that

Curious if there might be some way to use PC print drivers on OS X.

 

[Shrout1]

Here we go:

Whether that is the model that this Dell printer actually translates into, I don't know - Lexmark uses the same plastic body for at least 3 different lines - z6xx has a few models.

Don't know what the hardware difference is.

 

[Nermal]

The Z605 and Z615 use the same driver. You may even be able to use the Lexmark driver with the Dell firmware, give it a go

 

[jbernie]

My next question might be this: Could Virtual PC connect to this printer? Much as "A different Printer" is the obvious solution here, I wouldn't have made this topic if I were intent upon doing that

In theory it should... no harm in trying is there? I can't remember how many printers you could use in windows with the "HP compatible driver". When all else fails use the HP driver.

 

[mkrishnan]

The Z605 and Z615 use the same driver. You may even be able to use the Lexmark driver with the Dell firmware, give it a go

Yes, now I'm confused...sorry... Have you actually tried that, Shrout? Just downloading the Lexmark driver and forcing it to use that driver?

 

[Shrout1]

Yes, now I'm confused...sorry... Have you actually tried that, Shrout? Just downloading the Lexmark driver and forcing it to use that driver?

I haven't given that a shot yet, and I guess there could be no harm done in that except that I've found a few posts which state that the Dell printer will not recognize the Lexmark drivers:

http://www.linuxprinting.org/pipermail/macosx-list/2004q4/001171.html

You'll see there that the user has tried that. I'll probably try it myself anyway.