Namlo

Q: Printer install

Do I really need to install another browser to be able to use my installed HP printer?  There's no "two way communication" apparantly.  While I'm at it, what program does mac have if I don't want to use windows, but I need Word?  I've tried searching in Apps, but have no idea what to look for.  

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 29, 2012 6:08 AM

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Q: Printer install

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  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Jan 29, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Namlo
    Level 9 (50,409 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 29, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Namlo

    The short answer is no, but I don't understand what you mean by "another browser". What is the printer model number, and how is it connected?

     

    If you need a replacement for Word, you have several options: The first and best in my opinion is Pages. It can read and write Word formatted documents. It is available in the App Store for about $30.

     

    Next best is Open Office (Google it). The best way I can describe it is that it is a "clone" of MS Office. It is free. Though no longer supported or updated by its creator Oracle, there is an active user support forum for it.

     

    Lastly, you can buy the entire MS Office suite for the Mac. Given the above alternatives it would be hard to justify the cost.

  • by Namlo,

    Namlo Namlo Jan 29, 2012 7:15 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2012 7:15 AM in response to John Galt

    It's a HP Deskjet F2483.  USB connection.  There was no problem on installation, but it doesn't print, scan or anything.  I went to HP support because mac says there's no communication.  HP stated that I wasn't using a browser that this tool currently supports, and wanted to install Firefox or Google.  I've uninstalled, unplugged, everything, but still can't use my printer.  Still the same problem.

     

    Thank you for the info on Open Office.  I didn't want to open windows on my mac, for security (virus) issues.  Is this correct?  Do I need an anti-virus?

  • by rkaufmann87,Solvedanswer

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jan 29, 2012 7:46 AM in response to Namlo
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 29, 2012 7:46 AM in response to Namlo

    Please carefully read and follow Apple's advice in Printing Overview OS X Lion , this will show you the proper way to add a printer. Also look on Apple's Printer and scanner software 10.6.x to see if your printer is supported. It may not have the specific model so you should look for F2400 series.

  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Jan 29, 2012 8:51 AM in response to Namlo
    Level 9 (50,409 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 29, 2012 8:51 AM in response to Namlo

    In addition to what rkaufmann wrote, be sure that your Deskjet is connected to your Mac directly via USB. Connecting "all-in-one" printer/scanner/fax/etc machines to an AirPort Base Station will not work.

     

    If all else fails here is the link to the HP page with drivers for OS X. Though the printer's specifications say OS X 10.7 "Lion" is supported, the driver page only references OS X versions through 10.6. This leads me to believe you do not need to download any additional drivers from HP.

     

    There are no viruses capable of infecting OS X and you do not need any anti-virus software. I do not recommend you use any since the commercial products available have been known to cause problems.

     

    If you remain concerned about viruses though, ClamXAV is supposed to be good. I don't have it.