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Level 7

21,695 points

AirPrint on non supported (shared) printers-HowTo OS X 10.6.5 Build 10H574

What you might want to try (I found that on a German Blog some hours ago):

From *System Preferences* remove existing printer(s)

launch AppleScript editor
cut&paste the following 2 lines:

*do shell script "echo '# enable AirPrint*

*image/urf urf (0,UNIRAST<00>)' > /usr/share/cups/mime/airprint.types" with administrator privileges*

run that script and enter your admin pw

This will create text-file @ /usr/share/cups/mime/ that will (should) re-enable AirPrint support again (at least on the current build of OS X 10.6.5 10H574), which can easily be removed.

reboot

add printer(s) again + share them through *System Preferences*

Keep in mind that this patched MAC (OS X 10.6.5 Build 10H574) must be up and running in order to use AirPrint!

It works for me, but if it doesn't work for you for whatever reasons: *failure is always an option!*

MacPro 8-Core - MBPro Air+13"+15" - MacMini - PowerMac G5 - 1st Gen iBook - Cube, Mac OS X (10.6.3), 100 Mbit FibreDSL - DVB(C) - several iPods - DOT MobileMe

Posted on Nov 23, 2010 2:00 PM

81 replies

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Nov 25, 2010 10:22 AM in response to Colie

Are you really using 10.5.6? Or do you have Snow Leopard 10.6.5?

Marsias

Level 1

7 points

Nov 25, 2010 12:15 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Thank you! That works, so at last I can print from Pages on the iPad to the HP Laser connected to my Time Capsule. Shame on Apple they wouldn't make it work.

Nov 25, 2010 2:30 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Hello Kay

I cannot locate a directory \usr...is this a hidden system file?

Warre

Kay Marczoch Author

Level 7

21,695 points

Nov 26, 2010 2:50 AM in response to Warren Willows

On your keyboard press simultaneously: Shift-CMD-G

A "Goto Folder" window will pop up

cut&paste
/usr/share/cups/mime
go

Nov 26, 2010 8:15 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Just wanted to say that I attempted this, and it actually worked. The downside is that people need to know that this mode requires you to have the host computer on at all times and NOT in sleep mode for the iOS devices to see the printer and to be able to print too it.

rbii

Level 2

345 points

Nov 26, 2010 8:35 AM in response to Richard Wessels

When printer sharing the Mac does need to be on and for many the Mac will need to be awake. In 10.6 there is the cool Wake on Demand feature where an AirPort base station will wake the Mac when the Mac is needed:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3774

Nov 27, 2010 6:48 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

This is excellent. Ipad immediately printed to my Epson 1400 series. Thank you.

Nov 27, 2010 6:32 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Kay

Many thanks for your help. my iPad now prints as I had expected from this update. I hope Apple is not getting greedy about these issues by allowing some manufacturers the "rights" to this and not others. I am very surprised by the recent commercialization of these boards with obvious marketing plugs for Printopia and the ever present HP guy.

Warren

rbii

Level 2

345 points

Nov 27, 2010 6:34 PM in response to Warren Willows

...the ever present, ever helpful hp guy.

EV3media

Level 1

50 points

Nov 27, 2010 11:10 PM in response to julieda

You may want to take a look at this site:

http://jaxov.com/2010/11/how-to-enable-airprint-service-on-mac-os-x-10-6-5/

They have instructions for PC running windows as well.

Many thanks to the OP!

nfarlow

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2010 9:05 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Kay, thank you so much, this worked like a charm! I can print from my iPhone to both my wireless and my USB printer. Cool! 🙂

Nov 29, 2010 6:29 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Hi Kay,
Where is this directory you mention? "This will create text-file @ /usr/share/cups/mime/ "
I've searched but can not find it.
Also, Wil this work for all printer (I have a Epson Workforce 500 connected to my iMac)?
Thanks,
Brad.

Nov 29, 2010 7:54 PM in response to Brad Kyer

Obviously i am not Kay, but the directory mentioned is hidden from Finder. Thus, you will not normally see it in the Mac OS X UI. However, you can open a terminal window then type the following.

open -a finder /usr/share/cups/mime

This will force Finder to open that exact folder and show you it's contents.

Yeah, I know, the terminal scares some, but we are talking about messing with a fundamental part of the OS here.

Also, yes, once this file has been created by the script, reboot the machine, remove all installed printers, re-add them and make sure they are set to be shared. Then, they will show up on an iPad or iPhone as AirPrint printers. NOTE: This works best if the host PC and the iOS devices are on the same LAN (I.E. The same IP Subnet) In most home setups, this will easily be the case.

Kay Marczoch Author

Level 7

21,695 points

Nov 30, 2010 2:01 AM in response to Brad Kyer

in addition:
You may also use the finder's "goto folder" feature and insert /usr/share/cups/mime/

Dec 3, 2010 5:32 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Worked for me too. Absolutely awesome - nice one!!!

AirPrint on non supported (shared) printers-HowTo OS X 10.6.5 Build 10H574