Can't connect to network printer

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Level 1

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Can't connect to network printer

So I'm new to owning an apple. Previous OS systems include Linux and WinXP.

So I have a SmartStor that shares my USB printer. I can connect to the printer via WinXP by connecting to it with \\192.168.0.101\usbptr01\

When I try and hook up to it on my new Macbook I am unable to connect to it.

I try going to Systems Preferences>Printers>Windows and I see my other laptop's workgroup listed but I don't see the one for the printer.

I also try going to System Preferences>Printers>IP and typing in \\192.168.0.101\usbptr01\ and it says that it isn't a valid address.

Any ideas of what I'm doing wrong? The printer sharing device also has shared storage and I was able to connect to that using Finder>Go>Connect to server. So I'm not sure why I can't get to the printer 😟

macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.6), trying to print to SmartStorNS3200N

Posted on May 10, 2009 12:34 PM

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Answer 1

May 10, 2009 12:47 PM in response to cbranson84

Hi

You can't use backslashes as you did on your PC. In the Go Menu > Connect to Server simply type the IP address and nothing else. If it's a Samba share precede the IP address with smb://.

For what you want type: //192.168.0.101/usbptr01.

However seeing as this is a printer you need to add it using System Preferences > Print & Fax > click the '+' icon. If the Printer's IP address is the one the SmartStor uses then add it by selecting IP from the list of options available at the top of that window. Use the LPD Daemon to add the printer. The correct PPD or Printer Driver may not be automatically selected so you will have to manually add it by searching for it. PPDs are generally kept in /Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources.

If I've understood you correctly that should be it?

Tony

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Answer 2

cbranson84 Author

Level 1

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May 10, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Antonio Rocco

I tried that. I tried with both the IP address (the status message says "Valid and Complete Address") and with the IP + printer name (the status message says "invalid or incomplete address"). When I attempt to print from either it doesn't work.

sigh not a good start for my transition to mac! hah.

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Answer 3

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

May 10, 2009 6:37 PM in response to cbranson84

Need to know the printer model, please. (most non-postscript drivers are not capable of network printing - need the to know the model to help you determine this - all the same open source drivers available on linux have been ported to OS X)

You should be able to read the manual for the SmartStor and figure out which print protocols are supported. Windows/Samba, or TCP/IP-LPD or TCP/IP-port 9100, etc.
The SmartStor is at IP address 192.168.0.101; the "queue name" is usbptr01.

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Answer 4

cbranson84 Author

Level 1

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May 10, 2009 9:07 PM in response to greg sahli

The printer is a brother hl-5150D. There are two drivers for both and I've tried them. I've printed to it from Linux but never over the network.

Thanks for the help

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Answer 5

May 10, 2009 9:18 PM in response to cbranson84

cbranson84,

I had a hard time getting my Mac to see my Workgroup Printer too, this is what I eventually ended up doing:

Open (System Preferences)/(Printer & Fax)/hit the little plus to add a printer/ Ctrl Click More Printers/ Customize toolbar/ drag the (Advanced) Gear button to the toolbar/ select done/ click the (Advanced) tab/ Select (Windows) in the type field/ type (smb://workgroup/server/printername) in the URL Field replace workgroup with your windows machine workgroup name default for xp is MSHOME and Vista is WORKGROUP, type Your Windows machines name in server, and type printername as it appears on your windows machine. Please note they are Case sensitive./ After which name it something you like in the Name filed/ and then select a driver for your printer and hit add.

Searching around I found another thing you could put in the URL field. It takes care of the authentication right away.

smb://user:password@ip/printername

Where is the User name, password, and IP are from your windows Machine. And remember printername has to be type as is on your windows machine share option, Caps and all. Also important to note I heard that Macs have a hard time with long names, and names with spaces in them. If yours has either of those I would rename it in the share options on your windows machine. To something short and with out spaces. (EX HP7700)

Above Quoted from: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9359016#9359016

Hope that helps,
Weston

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Answer 6

cbranson84 Author

Level 1

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May 11, 2009 5:00 AM in response to westongallagher

Thanks Weston!

That's exactly it. I was able to print with your suggestion. I wouldn't of expected having to right click the bar to get another option. I'm going to write apple and the manufacturer of my print server and request they add it to their directions.

I'm used to resorting to the command line in Linux but 10.5 seems to limit this a lot. I saw some directions of how to overcome the missing root privileges but since I don't know the OS well I figured I should know how its supposed to work before I break it 🙂

Thanks again. Everyones time to try and help was greatly appreciated.

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Answer 7

emagine3

Level 1

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May 12, 2009 7:48 AM in response to westongallagher

Hi Weston,

I tried these instructions and unfortunately, I don't have a Windows option in the Advanced pull-down. Could I be doing something wrong?

Your thoughts?

Thanks.

-emagine

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