lpadmin fix instructions don't work

Question

lpadmin fix instructions don't work

I need help, please. I bought an AirBook this summer and migrated my files into it from a G4 iBook. Because I didn't know about being able to migrate files when I initially set up the AirBook, it has duplicate (similar but not identical -- I can tell them apart) users. That isn't a problem most of the time because I only want to be the user that lived in the G4. I don't know if it affects my current problem, however:

The AirBook runs one printer at my office but I can't add any other printers because I keep getting a call to authenticate with lpadmin user and password.

I googled "lpadmin" and got these instructions:

Symptoms

After updating to Mac OS X v10.5.7, you may be prompted to enter the name and password of a user in the lpadmin group when changing a printer setting or printer control.
Products Affected

Mac OS X 10.5.7, Mac OS Printing/Fax (any version)
Resolution

1. Log in as an administrator account.
2. Open Terminal, which is found in the Utilities folder, in the Applications folder.
3. Type this command in Terminal on a single line:

dseditgroup -o edit -p -a admin -t group _lpadmin
4. Press Return.

It doesn't work, because after you type "dsedit.." and press Return, it (a) calls for a password, but (b) won't accept anything to be typed in.

Suggestions?
Thanks!

iBook G4, AirBook, Mini, iPhone, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 7, 2009 8:13 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Matt Broughton

Level 5

4,985 points

Nov 7, 2009 8:27 AM in response to MaggieinMaine

MaggieinMaine wrote:
3. Type this command in Terminal on a single line:

dseditgroup -o edit -p -a admin -t group _lpadmin
4. Press Return.

It doesn't work, because after you type "dsedit.." and press Return, it (a) calls for a password, but (b) won't accept anything to be typed in.

Nothing will appear on the screen when you type your password into a Terminal window. This is a security feature. Just enter your password and hit the Return or Enter key. Your password is being input and will be accepted.

Matt

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 7, 2009 8:29 AM in response to Matt Broughton

Hi,
How do I find out what to enter as a password?

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 7, 2009 8:34 AM in response to MaggieinMaine

It is your administrator's password. The same one you use when you install applications that require a password.

Matt

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 7, 2009 8:43 AM in response to Matt Broughton

I have tried both my passwords in the past and didn't notice any difference in the printer situation.

When I enter the password to the keyboard, there is literally no indication on the screen that anything happened. If I then press Return, it supplies me with a fresh user name. Is that what's supposed to happen?

Should I do this procedure whenever I am trying to install a printer driver, or can I do it anytime and expect the results to carry forward?

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 7, 2009 8:51 AM in response to MaggieinMaine

MaggieinMaine wrote:
I have tried both my passwords in the past and didn't notice any difference in the printer situation.

You may have a different problem than the Terminal command was supposed to correct.

When I enter the password to the keyboard, there is literally no indication on the screen that anything happened. If I then press Return, it supplies me with a fresh user name. Is that what's supposed to happen?

Yes, that is what you should see in the Terminal. It is an indication that what you entered was executed.

Should I do this procedure whenever I am trying to install a printer driver, or can I do it anytime and expect the results to carry forward?

You should not have to do the procedure more than once.

Matt

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 7, 2009 8:57 AM in response to Matt Broughton

Matt,
Thank you very much! I have at least something to go by now. I'll try the printer setup again when I'm next at my office.
🙂
Maggie

Reply

Answer 7

dpn48312

Level 1

11 points

Jan 8, 2010 3:08 PM in response to MaggieinMaine

The below terminal statement was given to me by an Apple Support Specialist over the phone and it did solve the problem.

From the account of the user (not the Admin, as the KB solution says) enter this in the terminal to add a user "Irene" (her "short user name") to the lpadmin group, and where "dpn" is the user name of the Admin, and be prepared to give the password of the Admin when prompted:

dseditgroup -o edit -p -a Irene -u dpn -t user _lpadmin

You can see who is in the lpadmin group with this terminal statement:

dseditgroup _lpadmin

The current members are listed below the line with this phrase, near the bottom of the display: GroupMembership

Hopefully, Apple will update the KB Solution with this corrected info, as the support specialist indicated. But until/unless they do, this may be of help to someone else.

Cheers!
dpn

Message was edited by: dpn48312

Reply