Can't select paper type or output quality when printing from new imac....

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Can't select paper type or output quality when printing from new imac....

Not sure if I'm in the right place to post this question....

When I try to print (from ANY app; Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) to my hp business jet inkjet printer, I get a print menu, but no where on the print menu (or any pulldown tabs) do I have an opportunity to select paper type or output quality. I am unable to print photos, for example.

The printer worked fine with the old PC; there is no driver to d/l for mac.

Only from iPhoto can I select paper type (from a limited number of choices), but not from any other app on my imac. I mostly use InDesign and print flyers and brochures, many with photos, and can't select anything other than plain paper. Do I need a new printer? Genius bar 'help' said they had no idea why it wasn't working....

HELP!!!

Thanks!

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Safari 4.0.4

Posted on Feb 17, 2010 2:31 PM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Feb 17, 2010 5:52 PM in response to amhynes

Which printer is it?

When you select Print... from the File menu, a dialog will open which should give you an opportunity to select paper type and other options.

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Answer 2

amhynes Author

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Feb 17, 2010 7:28 PM in response to Duane

hp business inkjet 1100.

Yes, I know how to select Print from the File menu. When the box opens, there is NO paper type or output choices. The genius at the genius bar tried everything, and could not tell me what the problem was.

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Answer 3

Duane

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Feb 17, 2010 7:41 PM in response to amhynes

It appears that there is a driver on the HP site.

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Answer 4

Duane

Level 10

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Feb 17, 2010 7:43 PM in response to amhynes

Do you have a new iMac which is Intel based or an iMac G4?

If your new iMac running OS 10.5.x or OS 10.6.x?

The reason I ask is that your printer is not supported in OS 10.6. See this link.

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Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

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Feb 17, 2010 7:46 PM in response to amhynes

If you are running OS 10.5 did you install the " HP Printer Driver 1.1.1"?

Checkout " Mac OS X 10.5.3: Printer drivers included in the HP Printer Driver Update v1.1.1".

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Answer 6

amhynes Author

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Feb 17, 2010 7:47 PM in response to Duane

Hi Duane,
Thanks for the quick response. There is no driver, according to Apple and also the Genius Bar.

As posted above, I have an imac (flatscreen... Intel Core 2 Duo) running 10.5.8.

I'm trying to figure out if buying a new printer is going to solve this issue BEFORE i spend all that money!

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Feb 18, 2010 4:45 AM in response to amhynes

As posted above, I have an imac (flatscreen... Intel Core 2 Duo) running 10.5.8.

Sorry for the confusion but your previous stated system information simply stated "imac Mac OS X (10.5.8)" and you posted in the iMac G4 discussion area not the Intel-based iMac discussion area.

There is no driver, according to Apple and also the Genius Bar.

Although it may seem extremely shocking, the people at the Genius bar have been known to make mistakes and give out incorrect information.

Did you see my last post below? Did you checkout " Mac OS X 10.5.3: Printer drivers included in the HP Printer Driver Update v1.1.1"? Did you install that update?

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Answer 8

amhynes Author

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Feb 18, 2010 5:29 AM in response to Duane

Hi, sorry, i was referring to which OS i was running.... i actually didn't know it was Intel till you asked me.

I d/l-ed the hp driver package per your suggestion, and don't notice anything different. there were no instructions w/the download... am i supposed to do anything other than install it?

I just checked to see what happens when I click on File>Print from both Photoshop and InDesign.. here's the screen capture. As you can see, there is no menu/option for selecting paper type or output:

hmmmm... how do I include a screen capture here? I don't see any button/link......

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Answer 9

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Feb 18, 2010 4:30 PM in response to amhynes

hmmmm... how do I include a screen capture here? I don't see any button/link......

First you must post the picture somewhere on the Internet.

Then you can use the following code to embed the picture here:

<img src="http://UrlToPhoto/PhotoName">

Replace "UrlToPhoto" with the web page hosting the picture.

Replace "PhotoName" with the file name of the picture.

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Answer 10

amhynes Author

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Feb 18, 2010 5:20 PM in response to Duane

How ironic: i'm currently in another forum try to get help uploading photos from iPhoto to the internet..... This procedure sounds complicated....

anyway, the long and the short of it is, it's still not working after d/ling the drivers...... have I missed a step?

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Answer 11

Duane

Level 10

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Feb 19, 2010 5:00 AM in response to amhynes

After you downloaded the .dmg file, I assume that you opened the .dmg file and then ran the HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg file inside.

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Answer 12

amhynes Author

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Feb 19, 2010 6:12 AM in response to Duane

Hi Duane,
Yes, I opened the Printer Driver package, and then pulled up my test InDesign file and selected File>Print, and here's the screen i get: (hope this works, I'm trying Skitch for the first time)...

[img]http://img.skitch.com/20100219-8ywf49rxkh7heg86n25gefbydc.preview.jpg[/img]
Click for full size - [color=#A7A7A7]Uploaded with plasq's Skitch[/color]

when I click on "Setup" in the print menu box, I get this screen:

[img]http://img.skitch.com/20100219-pgqjnjt1anrx2xic3pih9def3y.preview.jpg[/img]
Click for full size - [color=#A7A7A7]Uploaded with plasq's Skitch[/color]

I've clicked on each topic on the left on the Print menu, and still there is no where to select paper type or output resolution.
The same thing happens when I print from Photoshop.

Thanks.

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Answer 13

amhynes Author

Level 1

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Feb 19, 2010 6:14 AM in response to amhynes

hmmm... trying Skitch again....

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

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Answer 14

amhynes Author

Level 1

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Mar 22, 2010 5:49 PM in response to amhynes

Okay, I just got a BRAND new printer for my birthday. I have hooked it up to the brand new mac and installed the driver. I am STILL not able to select paper type or output quality from either InDesign or Photoshop... grrrr! I was told I needed a new printer, but it hasn't solved my problem. HELP!!!!

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Answer 15

Jun 11, 2010 1:30 PM in response to amhynes

I have been having the same problem for months now and I can't figure it out at all. I can't choose paper types like I used to be able to do. I don't think it's the printer's problem somehow. I used to be able to choose glossy and different qualities and finishes but now those options are gone. And I really need them!
Did you ever get an answer on that one???
Thanks!

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