Using a Dell printer with an iMac

Question

Using a Dell printer with an iMac

Hey guys,

I just "converted" from PC, and got the new 27" iMac. I've learned that there is no compatibility for Dell printers. How can I use my Dell printer (Dell Photo AIO 966 Printer) in Snow Leopard? Any ideas?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.3), 2.66 ghz Intel Core i5, 1 TB Hard Drive, 8 GB RAM

Posted on Apr 11, 2010 12:09 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

inandoutofgrace

Level 3

520 points

Apr 11, 2010 12:30 AM in response to shadowvulcan826

First try just plugging your printer in and seeing if it works. Snow Leopard comes with some generic print drivers that work with many printers.

If that doesn't work, have a look here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669

Another place to look around is MacInTouch, another user-driven troubleshooting site:
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/printing/index.html
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/snowleopard/index.html

Finally, if you can figure out who made the print engine in your printer (chances are it's not actually manufactured by Dell), this open source driver has helped a lot of people: http://gutenprint.sourceforge.net/pSupportedPrinters.php

Message was edited by: inandoutofgrace

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Answer 2

Apr 11, 2010 1:32 AM in response to inandoutofgrace

Thanks for such a quick reply.

I took a look at the Apple support link you posted. Nothing on Dell. It seems MacInTouch and Gimp Print don't have info on Dell, either.

I'll keep searching, though. Thanks for the advice.

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Answer 3

Apr 11, 2010 6:02 AM in response to shadowvulcan826

I had this happen to me a few days ago with my hp laserjet and I did a google search and found a compatible driver that works with macs. You may want to try that.

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Answer 4

Apr 11, 2010 2:44 PM in response to cyberspastic

Thanks for the reply.

That's the problem. There are no compatible drivers for the Dell Photo AIO 966 Printer that I've found online. I'll keep hunting though.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,478 points

Apr 11, 2010 3:41 PM in response to shadowvulcan826

Considering that printer was designed with only MS Windows in mind I'd recommend replacing it with a new machine. However I hope I'm wrong and you find a driver that works.

Regards,

Roger

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Answer 6

Apr 12, 2010 6:49 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I'm really trying to avoid spending the money on a new printer, when I have a perfectly capable printer. Thanks for the advice, Roger.

What I'm trying to do now is connect the printer to a Dell PC in the other bedroom. Now the PC won't even recognize the printer! Sheesh...can I guy get a break?

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,478 points

Apr 12, 2010 6:52 PM in response to shadowvulcan826

If the PC won't see it you might try another cable, any luck finding a driver?

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Answer 8

Apr 12, 2010 7:01 PM in response to shadowvulcan826

For the Mac side, try searching "Dell 966 Lexmark" on your favorite search engine. If your printer indeed has a Lexmark print engine, you might be able to find a driver on Lexmark's website or be able to use Gutenprint. You also might come across some workarounds devised by other people in the same boat as you.

Message was edited by: inandoutofgrace

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Answer 9

Dave Stowe

Level 5

5,180 points

Apr 12, 2010 7:13 PM in response to shadowvulcan826

Snow Leopard can check to see if a driver might show up for the printer by simply plugging it in with a USB cable to the iMac....turn on the printer...and run the Software Updater...it might come up with a driver....

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Answer 10

Apr 14, 2010 12:15 AM in response to Dave Stowe

What I ended up doing was using Boot Camp to install Windows Vista Ultimate. If I need to print anything, Windows will recognize the printer. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

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Answer 11

jbiancar

Level 1

0 points

Apr 27, 2010 5:31 PM in response to shadowvulcan826

The dell 966 printer is a rebranded Lexmark X9350. Before upgrading to snow leopard, I had no problems using the lexmark drivers. I can't get them to work anymore, but I'm not sure if this is snow leopard's fault.

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