HPT45xi and Imac--help me make them talk to each other!

by printerhell Mar 9, 2011 5:42AM PST

I recently joined the Mac world after being on a PC for years. I have an IMAC, OSX 10.6.6. I also have an old HPT45xi all in one printer. The ink usage on this printer is great so it is really cheap to run--that is why I do not want a new printer. But I can't get the IMAC and the printer to talk to each other. The printer is connected to the IMAC through a parallel port USB connector. The IMac recognizes the printer and I have been able to install the settings for the printer. When I send a job to the printer, it powers up, pulls in paper and makes the "i'm gettng ready to print noise" and then it stops with an error message to "reconnect to the PC". Then it prints one line of garbage. I have spent hours trying to get this to work and am completely frustrated. Are there any suggestions on how to get these two to talk to each other nicely? Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Personally I would blame the Parallel port USB connector

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Mar 9, 2011 8:16AM PST

Where did you get the 10.6.6 drivers for it?

I note that HP do not have them available for that printer

P

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The "drivers" show up when add the printer

by printerhell Mar 10, 2011 3:53AM PST

When I added the printer, the IMAC automatically added drivers but you can also select the driver and I was able to find HP T45. I may be using driver wrong--I don't know much about computers. Are you saying that the USB adaptor is the priblem and I need a driver for that as well?

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Went looking for a HPT45xi and

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 9, 2011 10:26PM PST

The lack of a space caused a little blip. Be careful about that.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&dlc=en&product=60036&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN has the manuals so let's see if there is something for the Apple.

Ouch. No Apple driver noted in the drivers or the manual.

I'd cut my losses here and get the money back on that USB adapter.
Bob

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Drivers are listed in IMAC

by printerhell Mar 10, 2011 4:06AM PST

As noted above drivers are listed--if the printer is plugged in via USB port and I go to system preferences and printers, the IMAC recognizes it as "HP Officejet T series" and Print using: "HP Office Jet T Series hpjis, 3.10.6.15" or I can select Printer software and by scrolling down the list I can select "HP Officejet T45, Gutenprint v5.2.3" If I unplug the printer at the parallel connection, the Imac recognizes the "Prolific technology Inc, IEEE-1284 Controller". Do I need a different USB parallel adapter?

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That's good.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 10, 2011 9:23AM PST

Now focus on that USB parallel adapter. Or skip that and put it on a print server.

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Print server

by printerhell Mar 14, 2011 5:26AM PDT

Sorry--not sure what you mean--do I need to try a different USB parallel adapter? And what's a print server? Sorry--I really am a newbie.

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Sure. Why not?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 14, 2011 5:33AM PDT

Your options are clear now. Try other adapters or see if the (old?) print servers will work. Remember you are dealing with gear that is no longer supported or rather "self supported."

Newbie or not, why not google "print server"?

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=322 does note Appletalk which gives some hope of Apple support.
Bob

HPT45xi and Imac--help me make them talk to each other!

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