Loss of Printer Supplies Info

Question

Level 1

40 points

Loss of Printer Supplies Info

I am running a Samsung CLX-3175FN multi-function laser printer. Up until a few weeks ago everything was running normally and, when I selected 'Print', the Samsung Smart panel would pop up showing me the current print supplies level. BUT, at some stage recently, no such panel pops up anymore. When I try System Preferences/Print & Fax/Options and supplies/Print levels - all I get is 'Information not available'.

I have checked with Samsung support and I have uninstalled and re-installed the latest drivers for the printer as they suggested - to no avail.

Samsung support has, in turn, tested the facility independently on several Macs running 10.6.2. and cannot find any issue as it works as advertised. They therefore suggest it might be a problem with my particular installation of 10.6.2.

Before I resort to a complete re-install has anyone else come across this problem please?

iMac 2.16 Dual Core, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 23, 2010 1:30 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 24, 2010 4:45 AM in response to PaulSG

I get this - running snow leopard 10.6.2, and an epson stylus photo 810 - can't get supply levels. I think I used to work round it in leopard but can't remember how.....
Any ideas?
Thnks

Reply

Answer 2

PaulSG Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 24, 2010 2:03 PM in response to Charlotte Hattersley

I thought mine was working ok since upgrading to 10.6.2 but you've put doubts in my mind! Maybe it IS a Snow Leopard issue then because I KNOW mine worked ok in Leopard too. (Strange though that Samsung are adamant that their tests worked ok on 10.6.2).

Reply

Answer 3

PAHU

Level 6

16,723 points

Feb 24, 2010 5:56 PM in response to PaulSG

Hi there,

Just want to chip in with some observation and opinion.

I don't use Samsung but I do have a Canon MF4380dn on my desk that I connect to via USB. With this device, I see the same thing in the Options & Supplies > Supply Levels pane; ie "Information not available". However, this has always been the case for this machine under 10.6.x and 10.5.x and I suggest this would have been the same for your Samsung. The only way I can see the toner level for this model is to open the Canon utility, which is going to be like your Samsung Smart Panel that was previously appearing.

I believe the matter that Samsung should have been helping you with is getting that Smart Panel to open again. I am confident that the Samsung tech support is using this application to see the toner level, not the Supply Levels pane.

If you open Options & Supplies, select the Utility tab and click 'Open Printer Utility', does this open the same Samsung Smart Panel you saw previously, or at least open a different Samsung utility that lets you see the toner levels. If this does open a Samsung utility, maybe there is a setting here that will enable the Smart Panel pop-up when you print.

FYI - the Apple Supply Levels pane only works with devices that report the ink or toner information using supported frameworks (core library files). My Canon inkjet shows the ink levels, as does my networked Canon colour copier using a PPD. This panel did not work on Leopard, it has only been since installing SL that I can see any ink or toner information.

Pahu

Reply

Answer 4

PaulSG Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 25, 2010 11:23 AM in response to PAHU

Interesting! - When I open 'Options and Supplies' there is no 'Utility' tab; the only 3 tabs I have shown are: General, Driver and Supply levels. Even going through Print Queue I'm only presented with Pause Printer, Supply Levels and printer Setup ...... getting directed back to the 3 original tabs!!

What's baffling is that it worked fine before....trouble is - before what?!!

Reply

Answer 5

PaulSG Author

Level 1

40 points

Mar 21, 2010 9:15 PM in response to PaulSG

Just received, out of the blue, an automatic software update from Samsung and, surprise surprise, problem solved. So, I guess it WAS a Samsung issue after all! I have informed the well-meaning Samsung techy who advised me otherwise!!

Reply