Printing from a Mac to a Canon printer connected to a PC

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Printing from a Mac to a Canon printer connected to a PC

Running 10.5.7, connecting to an XP machine. I am able to add the printer from System Preferences, but I'm hitting a brick wall.

Initially my problem was not having the appropriate driver. Despite there being over 3 gigs of PPDs included with OSX, this specific printer driver was not included. I tried using a different, somewhat random Canon printer driver, this would print, but the colors were all screwed up. I then did a mass amount of googling to determine that there is in fact a known issue printing to windows networked Canon printers, even my specific model!

http://www.tongfamily.com/archives/2...-snow-leopard/

But they're talking about 10.6, and the procedures listed there to fix the problem do not apply to 10.5. However I did download and install the Canon MX700 CUPS driver. I have tried installing the printer using CUPS ( http://localhost:691 or something) using the CUPS driver, AND using standard System Preferences printer installation again using the CUPS driver.

If I install using either method, I am able to add print jobs to the printer, but nothing ever prints. On the windows machine, the jobs say "Spooling."According to OSX AND CUPS, the printer is fully functional and operational.

<edit> oh forgot to mention.. this whole operation is happening over wireless, and the router is located at the front of the store so I don't have the option to just connect it to the router with a piece of CAT5

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Canon MX700 Printer

Posted on Sep 25, 2009 3:57 PM

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Answer 1

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PAHU

Level 6

16,705 points

Sep 26, 2009 5:38 PM in response to poordna

Hello poordna and welcome to Apple Discussions.

The problem you are experiencing has been well documented in this forum. The cause is the Canon driver. It has not been designed to work with cross-platform networks, such as Mac to Windows.

So you need to use a driver that will work with this type of network environment, such as those offered by Gutenprint, which is free, or the PrintFab driver package, which will cost some money but not as much as re-wiring the place to suit your requirements.

The issue with the Gutenprint driver set is with the models supported. While they do provide an extensive list of models they do support, it can take a short time before your new model is supported. The current v5.2.4 does not list your MX700, or any MX model for that model, as a supported printer so you would need to find a compatible model of Canon that is supported. This can be quite a task but if you could find a model that uses the same model of inks as your MX700, this can help to narrow the search.

You can download the Gutenprint driver via this link.

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php

You can get PrintFab via this link.

http://www.printfab.net/

Hope this helps you.

Pahu

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Answer 2

poordna Author

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Sep 26, 2009 8:28 PM in response to PAHU

Ahhh wow thank you very much. Yeah I figured I was the first one to actually try to tackle this problem to this extent so I didn't bother searching the community boards.

To save face and make my client feel better I'll probably dive into those gutenprint drivers and find a model that uses the same cartridge, but long term something else has to be done. It's bad to have to tell a client that they bought an obscure and poorly developed piece of hardware but I think I'll have to do it. I'll definitely be steering people away from Canon-built ANYTHING from now on.

Thanks again man.

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Answer 3

poordna Author

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Sep 26, 2009 8:29 PM in response to poordna

PAHU wrapped the whole thing up for me. Thanks!!

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Answer 4

PAHU

Level 6

16,705 points

Sep 26, 2009 9:41 PM in response to poordna

poordna wrote:
It's bad to have to tell a client that they bought an obscure and poorly developed piece of hardware but I think I'll have to do it. I'll definitely be steering people away from Canon-built ANYTHING from now on.

I think steering people away from a Canon because of this one instance is a very 'head in the sand' reaction. Canon makes equipment that will work in their environment, there are a number of printers and All In Ones that have built-in wireless support.

Having used Canon for many years on the Mac platform, both consumer and business, I certainly believe they do have the products that will work. It is up to the consumer to purchase the correct model that will fit their requirements, rather than expect every single model a company makes will work the same.

Pahu

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