Can't get HP Deskjet 1220C to print in color in Snow Leopard

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Can't get HP Deskjet 1220C to print in color in Snow Leopard

Just got an iMac with Snow Leopard. Former iMac was Leopard. New iMac prints fine to old HP LaserJet 4050 but just can't get color output from HP DeskJet 1220C. The iMac apparently did not find any drivers built into Snow Leopard, so I downloaded Apple's HP drivers (HPprinterdrivers2.6.dmg) and on installation kept getting the error message about "/System/Library/Extensions/hpPlugInInit.kext was installed improperly and cannot be used." Read in discussions here to delete the .kext file but couldn't find any files containing 'kext.' Tried printing, still no color. So I downloaded the driver package a second time, same error message (over and over), and still no color ink. Next I deleted the printer and added it, still no color. Then I reset the printing system in System Preferences, turned the printer off and back on again, still no color. Ink supply is fine. I'm out of ideas. Help?!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 23, 2011 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

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Tanager41 Author

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18 points

Jun 23, 2011 1:35 PM in response to Tanager41

Solved! Downloaded Gutenprint after realizing there was no driver in the Apple package for my printer model. It worked! Sorry for the trouble. Here's the link for anyone else in the same boat:

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/

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Answer 2

Aug 31, 2011 4:35 AM in response to Tanager41

wow, this was a good find! thanks for this. only issue I have, I need to recalibrate my HP 1220C as I have not sued it for ages. any ideas

Tanager41

thanks

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Answer 3

Tanager41 Author

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Aug 31, 2011 7:05 AM in response to Antonio Conte

I've never had to recalibrate a printer, so I'm no help with your question. If the driver is right for the OS, my printers always work. Just hope I can say that when I go to Lion.

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Answer 4

Aug 31, 2011 8:10 AM in response to Tanager41

well, HP had a nice piece of software for cleaning your print heads and recalibrating it. seems to not be accessable now :-(

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Answer 5

Sep 17, 2012 12:26 PM in response to Tanager41

Hello, Same problem here, HP Deskjet 1220C/ps will not print in color, only b/w, Apple Care sent me this link to your post, with your work-around. My question is WHICH download did you use at Gimp?

As of today, newest appears to be Gutenprint 5.2.9. Is that what you recommend or something else entirely?

I'm on iMac i7.

Thanks kindly.

g@punchagency.com

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Answer 6

Tanager41 Author

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18 points

Sep 17, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Tanager41

Oh boy, it's been awhile. I'm not sure but it was probably whatever the Gutenprint version for Snow Leopard was. Can't find anything on my hard drive but my 1220C works fine. Still on Snow Leopard, however.

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Answer 7

Bern BCN

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Dec 5, 2013 4:00 PM in response to Tanager41

Hi Tanager41,

I have problems with my HP Deskjet 1220C on OS X Mavericks. Tried to install the Gutenprint you suggested on but the files I got on the link you post http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/ are not available to install:

"Install Gutenprint 5.2.9.mpkg"

How did u manage to install it?

Thanks in advance

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Answer 8

Tanager41 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 6, 2013 7:29 AM in response to Bern BCN

When I went to Mountain I bought an HP LaserJet Pro 200 color MFP. I gave up on the Deskjet 1220C because it was having feeding issues and I needed color laser for photo proofs. I doubt HP has a driver for the 1220C on Mavericks and I don't know about Gutenprint.

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