How to Connect Networked Dell Color Laser 3110cn to iMac 24

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How to Connect Networked Dell Color Laser 3110cn to iMac 24

I'm brand new (as of 15 minutes ago) to this forum and want to ask a question. I have a Dell 3110cn printer as a network printer. I have been completely unsuccessful in downloading drivers for this onto my daughter's new iMac 24 with the Mac OS X (10.5.8) system. I've tried Dell's website as well as the original CD ROM that came with the printer. Can anyone help me with this? I've contacted both Dell and Apple technical support and have basically received "finger pointing", but no help. It's so frustrating to both my daughter and me! We've never used Apple products before, but we'd love to have a great experience with this. We've heard and read many positive comments about these machines. Thanks in advance for your help.

iMac 24, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 12, 2009 11:42 PM

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Answer 1

greg sahli

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25,508 points

Sep 13, 2009 6:32 AM in response to whitsdad

Apparently, that printer uses the standard page description language postscript, so the driver is built-in on OS X. You just need to add the .ppd file to your list of drivers.
Get it here:
http://www.openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Dell-3110cn
(get the PPD where it says Custom PPD)

Copy the .ppd.gz file to /Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/en.lproj
(this means FolderName/FolderName/FolderName etc)
You'll see lots of other .ppd.gz files in the en.lproj folder.
Now restart the Mac, then Add the printer in Print & fax prefs.

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Answer 2

whitsdad Author

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Sep 13, 2009 3:57 PM in response to greg sahli

Greg, I did as you suggested, but I still can't add the Dell 3110cn printer that's on my network. Inside the en.lproj folder is one other file called Dell Color Laser 3110cn.gz. Could you assist me further? I appreciate your effort.

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Answer 3

Sep 13, 2009 4:29 PM in response to whitsdad

You may have a communication problem with the computer. How are the printer and the computer connected? Have you checked that all physical connections are good?

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Answer 4

whitsdad Author

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Sep 13, 2009 4:37 PM in response to whitsdad

Use Internet Printing Protocol, gave it IP address of Dell printer, chose driver, and added printer. Everything seemed OK until I tried to print. Got message that says"Network host '192.168.2.200' is busy; will retry in XX seconds..." So, I still can't use printer. This is crazy!

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Answer 5

whitsdad Author

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Sep 13, 2009 4:41 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Bruce, everything seems to be communicating, but I get a busy signal from the network printer. Any ideas?

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Answer 6

whitsdad Author

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Sep 13, 2009 5:14 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Tried something else - used IPP as before, typed in IP address, chose Generic PostScript Printer, and added printer...results were the same...busy printer.

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Answer 7

whitsdad Author

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Sep 13, 2009 5:30 PM in response to whitsdad

Logging off for now...

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Answer 8

Sep 13, 2009 11:47 PM in response to whitsdad

All your settings should hold, so I would suggest trying shutting everything down, computer, printer, router, and then restarting everything. Try resetting the printing system as well, and then add the printer back in. Actually, see if it will show in the default browser, and if it does not, try the various IP protocols, including the HP JetDirect.

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Answer 9

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Sep 14, 2009 8:28 AM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

I just read the printer manual, and it mentions port 9100 - that equals IP > HP Jetdirect protocol in OS X Print & Fax add printer dialog. So, I concur with Bruce - use HP Jetdirect to add the printer.

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Answer 10

whitsdad Author

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Sep 14, 2009 7:57 PM in response to greg sahli

Greg and Bruce,

Thanks so much for being patient and recommending what to do - guess what? It worked! Using the HP Jetdirect protocol with the IP address brought up the 3110cn drivers (correctly I might add). My daughter is "printing up a storm".

Thanks from both of us!

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Answer 11

Oct 12, 2009 10:45 AM in response to whitsdad

Thank you, thank you and thanks again!

I have been having the exact same problem for a couple months.

I've been pulling my hair out till I"m bald.

God bless you guys.

Stanley

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