Mac OS X 10.3.8 Special Report: Printer problems, solutions

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 10:56 a.m. PT

4 min read

One of the most continually successful workarounds for printing problems associated with Mac OS X 10.3.8 is to simply delete, then re-add the problematic printer via Apple's "Printer Setup Utility" located in the Applications/Utilities folder on a standard Mac OS X installation.

MacFixIt reader Michael Ruschak, for instance, writes:

"[...] I went into the Printer Setup Utility and deleted (my client's) printer and re-added it. Now it works. The driver needs to be re-added so that anything internally that needs to be done for printing is reset in any updated files."

"When you add the printer in the printer utility you create a new file in the ~/LIbrary/Printers folder. This perhaps could get corrupted just like a preference file so deleting this by removing the printer in the utility and re-adding it may be why it worked."

Some other solutions include:

Resetting AirPort (Extreme, Express, Standard) base unit For users with printers connected through through an AirPort wireless network, resetting the host Base Station or AirPort Express unit after installation of Mac OS X 10.3.8 may be required.

We first reported this workaround yesterday, based on a user's experience with an Epson CX5200 connected through an Airport Express unit. In his case, resetting the unit resolved an inability to print.

We've since received a number of corroborating reports.

MacFixIt reader Mike Zalis, for instance, writes:

"I had a loss of rendezvous printing function after upgrading my 20" iMac to Mac OS X 10.3.8. I'm happy to report that the AirPort reset procedure you posted (yesterday) restored full functionality to my HP LaserJet 1012. In retrospect, the printer and its drivers were likely fine. It seems that after the upgrade, the iMac would not recognize the AirPort Extreme Base Station at all. The restart of the Base Station took care of the problem."

Instructions for resetting various AirPort base devices are as follows:

Resetting AirPort Express

Resetting the AirPort Extreme Base Station

Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)

Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Graphite)

Run DiskWarrior Some readers report that re-building their drive directory with Alsoft's DiskWarrior restores proper printer operation.

MacFixIt reader Fritz Mills writes:

"I began to experience printer problems after upgrading to 10.3.8. Restarting and reinstalling the printer didn't help. However, after sending the email, I booted from the Disk Warrior CD and ran Disk Warrior. It found several problems, which it fixed. I then rebooted normally, and found that printing worked again."

Printer Setup Repair A number of readers have had success using the shareware utility "Printer Setup Repair" to eliminate printer issues that appeared in conjunction with Mac OS X 10.3.8.

This highly useful utility is also useful in a number of other problematic printer scenarios. It can verify many system and printing settings as well as repair printing-related permissions and, if necessary, delete a number of printing-related files that can at times develop corruption and lead to printing problems.

Suggestions from HP technical support Meanwhile, we previously reported on problems with various Hewlett-Packard printer models under Mac OS X 10.3.8. HP technical support offers two workarounds that may provide relief:

Delete the following Preference files (all those listed that exist) from the ~/Library/Preferences/ folder by dragging them to the trash:

com.hp.photo.director

com.hp.photo.scantoconfig.plist,

HP All-in-One Prefs

HP inkjet utility prefs

HP Scan Dest link prefs

HP Image Unload Prefs

HP Copy Prefs

HP Links Prefs

Reset the printer via the following process:

Ensure that your printer is turned on.

With the power on, unplug the power cord from the back of your printer.

Press and hold the # and 6 keys while plugging in the power cord.

Continue holding the left arrow key and cancel button. Watch the printer display. When it reads, button stuck or s-full reset, let go of the left arrow key and cancel button on your printer.

You may need to re-install your printer's drivers (check for the latest version on HP's Web Site) after performing either of these workarounds.