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Lexmark 2390 Plus Dot Matrix printer Can it work.

My new job is very attached to using 3, 4, 5, and 6 layer NCR forms.

The prices of new 24 pin Dot Matrix printers is shocking.

However, I went to a computer surplus depot and found this Lexmark 2390 24 pin printer. I took a chance and paid $20.00 for it. After cleaning the pound of dust and grime off, it looks like brand new.

I googled and found the owners manuel that told how to print a test page.

It works like new, and the ink cartridge actually has ink.

NOW, how do I get it to work with OS X? I have read some interesting ways others have gotten all kinds of printers to work.

Lexmark - Windows and Linux/Unix drivers only no Mac support at all.

SUPPPER grateful for any ideas.

2010 Mac MINI, MDD G4 2x1.25GHz+KTM+MDDG4 Dual 1GHz for OS9, Mac OS X (10.4.9), Quick Silver 733 w/FW M-Audio, SawTooth 500 w/M-Audio Delta 8x8 & 3 BG3's

Posted on Nov 7, 2010 6:04 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 7, 2010 9:52 PM

Hi Vernon, the biggest question is what Interfaces dies it have? USB, Parallel, Serial, Ethernet?

OSX has some built in DM Drivers, and I think the Lexmark understands these...

● Compatibility
● Linux compatible via enhanced UNIX drivers
● IBM PPS II 2390/2391
● IBM PS/1 2390
● IBM Proprinter 24P
● IBM PS/1 2205
● IBM Proprinter X24E/XL24E
● IBM ExecJet
● Epson LQ-850/1050

Some more clues...

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20100523211233357

http://www.printerforums.net/os-x-dot-matrix-printer-t6804.html

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1753790

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20611956-Dot-Matrix-printer-on-OS-X

Gutenprint
The Gutenprint (formerly called Gimp-Print) package is a suite of high-quality open-source drivers supporting Epson, Canon, lexmark, and HP inkjet printers.
1500+ printers

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosx
31 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 7, 2010 9:52 PM in response to Vernon Alexander

Hi Vernon, the biggest question is what Interfaces dies it have? USB, Parallel, Serial, Ethernet?

OSX has some built in DM Drivers, and I think the Lexmark understands these...

● Compatibility
● Linux compatible via enhanced UNIX drivers
● IBM PPS II 2390/2391
● IBM PS/1 2390
● IBM Proprinter 24P
● IBM PS/1 2205
● IBM Proprinter X24E/XL24E
● IBM ExecJet
● Epson LQ-850/1050

Some more clues...

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20100523211233357

http://www.printerforums.net/os-x-dot-matrix-printer-t6804.html

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1753790

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20611956-Dot-Matrix-printer-on-OS-X

Gutenprint
The Gutenprint (formerly called Gimp-Print) package is a suite of high-quality open-source drivers supporting Epson, Canon, lexmark, and HP inkjet printers.
1500+ printers

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosx

Nov 8, 2010 7:11 PM in response to BDAqua

Thank you for all the resources you have provided. I will try them all.

It has the standard PC parallel port. I have a parallel to USB converter cable. Back in the OS 9 days I had a couple of Epson printers that worked with this adaptor.

Under "Add printer" the Lexmark shows up as USB with no name and no way to change it.

When I click on the printer browser under Connection it shows USB with the Printer Name blank. I have tried to change the settings, like add a name and choose a compatible driver under "Print Using" but when I push "Add" nothing happens. No changes will work at all.

Nov 9, 2010 4:40 PM in response to Vernon Alexander

I also tried to share the printer on windows and print to the printer through the PC...Nothing.

The printer is useless on the PC. I have software set up in OS X to print the forms using File Maker Pro. I am not going to purchase anther copy of FileMaker, and besides it would not interface with all the related programs I use on my Mac.

Help?

Nov 13, 2010 12:10 PM in response to BDAqua

As it turns out, my parallel to USB adaptor was a problem. I purchased a much more expensive adaptor cable that listed Mac OS X 4.. and newer.

Now the computer finds teh printer, but does not know what it is.

I tried EPS 24 pin, as well as many others and IT PRINTS a bunch of mixed up unreadable symbols.

Now, I did connect to a PC and it printed fine, so I do not think it is the printer.

You suggested drivers that I cannot find in OS X. Where do I find these drivers? Online or on the install disk?

I thoroughly looked through the 1500 "Gimp" drivers as well as other places on the web that has this type of driver, So far, none match.

The Lexmark site has driver downloads for Windows and UNIX.

Coule the UNIX drivers be of any use?

Nov 13, 2010 1:14 PM in response to Vernon Alexander

I stopped the printer by turning it off. I think it would have printed out a hundred pages.



Good move, likely you're right.

Custom installs in Mac OS X 10.4...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301229

"Here's a list of all the custom installation Printer options available with Optional Installs.mpkg:

Print Drivers

* Brother Printer Drivers
* Canon Printer Drivers
* Electronics For Imaging Printer Drivers
* Epson Printer Drivers
* Hewlett-Packard Printer Drivers
* Lexmark Printer Drivers
* Gimp Printer Drivers
* Ricoh Printer Drivers
* Xerox Printer Drivers

Lexmark 2390 Plus Dot Matrix printer Can it work.

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