Dell 3100cn driver

I have the same printer and had similar issues.

A few notes of interest - it now works fine using the Generic PostScript Printer driver, however I did have an issue with it only printing in mono. This was resolved by using the web browser interface (use the http address of your 3100cn) and then go to

Printer Settings (on the very left)

Printer Settings (of the tabs that appear)

PCL Settings

Colour Mode (the last option under PCL Settings)

For some reason Lion had set it to Black but once set to colour everything is back to normal!

Oh, and just in case you need to know the 3100cn ships with the default password settings

User name: admin

Password: password

Just an update for those who might find this thread:

I was able to successfully install and achieve color output from my Dell 3100cn on Mavericks using the Dell 3130cn driver available at http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/dell-3130cn/dr ivers . As of this writing, choose the "Drivers for OS Deployment (1 files)" section, download the file Printer_3130cn_Installer_And_Application_Dell_A04_MAC.dmg .

Mount the disk image (double click on it, in whatever folder it downloaded to), double click the Dell 3130cn Print Installer.pkg file and follow the installation process.

Once completed, go to System Preferences, choose Printers & Scanners as you would normally do to install a printer,

click the + button to add a printer (you may have to unlock the panel by authenticating)

for a network installation (like mine) choose IP at the top of the add dialog,

type the IP address of the printer

(I recommend that prior to this process you set this as a static address in the printer's front panel so that you won't have issues should your router assign a different IP address to the printer down the road).

Then, after typing the IP address of the printer into the IP Add dialog box, choose "Select software..." from the Use: drop down box at the bottom of the panel.

Select the Dell 3130cn... entry and click Ok.

Then click the Add button at the bottom of the Add panel and you should be all set.

You can rename the printer (in my case it had the IP address for the name) if you like. You can call it "Dell 3100cn" if you like. The driver seems to function without issue with all the default printer features selected. The only thing is the printer picture reflects the 3130cn, which doesn't bother me in the least.

There is one thing of note: My Dell 3100cn printer has 64Mb of ram. The least selectable quantity of ram in the 3130cn configuration is 256Mb. I'm not sure if this could cause problems when printing large documents later on. For my single-page tests I had no issue but I may try printing a large graphic from Photoshop later on to see if the setting will make a difference.

I've posted the file on my skydrive. You can download it from this link: http://sdrv.ms/1mqoDBd

Let me know if you have any problems downloading it. Once you download it, just open the dmg file and click the installer and go through the normal install process, then go and install your printer as usual.

Thanks

I got it to work on OSX Mavericks without any installation. Here's how:

1) From printers, I selected Add

2) Go to Advanced tab

3) In Type choose "LPD/LPR Host or Printer"

a) In URL type: lpd://<<local_ip_address_of_printer>>

It will automatically select the correct driver. If not, you can use "Generic PostScript Driver"

Good Luck

Try re-adding the printer using the Generic PostScript PPD. You won't have the Dell specific features, but it should work.

Hope this helps.

About a year ago, I actually found a solution to solve the Dwll 3100CN no updated mac driver issue. Using an older Mac OS that had rosetta, I installed and copied the exact dell driver files from the original installer. Then, using Mac developer tools, i repackaged those files into an updated intel compatible installer. I can now install the dell drivers on my mac. Even works with Mavericks. The original drivers work great, the problem is only that they installer packager is too old. I contacted Dell and told them what i did and even gave them the new installer file and all if the information. They wrote me back and thanked me, said they would have engineers review, but I've never seen a driver update posted on Dell.com. Anyway. if you want the updated installer package just send me a message and I will get the installer to you. Always glad to help fellow Mac users.

I did a little work and have a solution for all of us out ther with a 3100cn and no more rosetta. I installed 3100cn on Leopard to utilize rosetta, then figured out what files were needed. I extracted those files, put in on Mountain Lion and packaged it into an intaller file. I can now install Dell drivers for 3100cn that works with Mountain Lion. I'm trying to figure out where i can post it so i can share with all... this hase been driving me crazy since Rosetta went away. I will post a link for the file when i have it in an online location to share.

This shows that your printer is connected via USB, not via the network so it will not have an IP address.

As for your issue with the Generic PS driver and printing envelopes, this will be a limitation because of the Generic PS driver does not support special printer features like stapling and selecting envelopes from the stack bypass (multi-purpose tray). I also believe that it does not support the size of the envelope you are using, hence the offset of text. You may need to look at an alternate driver to the Generic PS, or at least locate a PPD for this model of Dell (or a similar model of Lexmark as I believe they make the Dell printers).

Would you mind clarifying how to find the http address of the 3100cn?

I think I really need a specific driver because I'm having no luck printing envelopes from my Dell 3100cn's Multipurpose front feeder using the Generic PostScript printer driver since upgrading to Lion. The printing is offset (as if it expects the envelope to be fed at the right of the front tray instead of in the middle).

To find the http address...

Apple Logo>About This Mac>System Report>Printers

The highlight the 3100CN and the http address should be listed under URI

You can also look at the attached devices from your routers interface!

As for the printing envelopes issue - the Dell is quite picky but with a little patience and a lot of envelopes then trial and error will produce results, although I have to be honest and admit I use Labels & Addresses as it's a very convenient, Dell-friendly piece of software!

Thank you for the helpful instructions. I found it:

usb://Dell/Color%20Laser%203110cn?serial=XXXX

It sounds like I should paste this into a web browser's address bar? I tried that with Firefox and Google Chrome and alas, they tried to do web searches or couldn't find the address of interest. I also tried replacing usb with http.

I apologize... I'm obviously missing something...

Oh my goodness!

PAHU, you solved my problem! It works brilliantly now!! Took 5 minutes to follow your instructions using the PPD you described and envelopes are printing like a charm.

I'm 9 months pregnant and was finally able to print out the envelopes for my baby announcements... priceless! I am so grateful for your help!

THANK YOU PAHU

I'm just setting up a 10.7 mac and ran into the Rosetta problem.

I knew that all that is REALLY required is to install the ppd file, and thank you for pointing me to the proper location.

THIS is why I always buy postscript printers... drivers are usually nothing more than a simple ppd file.

twseal1977 - I followed the skydrive link you posted for your updated installer package but it looks like the file has been taken down. Do you still have this file posted online? I'm having the same issues as everyone else with this printer and I'd like to use your solution if possible.

Thanks. I followed the link you suggested to download the driver, but there are currently two drivers listed and neither one has the file name you reference. Any suggestions? Appreciate any help you can provide.