How connect printer to the printer driver in system preference?

Question

Level 1

6 points

How connect printer to the printer driver in system preference?

I have an Epson SX600 printer, of which the software can't be found when Apple does the automated thing. However, it is part of the 1.4 gig that you can download from this site. Once unpacked, how does one actually install the driver for the printer? There's a long list. But how do I make System Prefernce actually go look in that directory, instead og going online? It states in System Preference that Apple has the software and it can be downloaded, but once I try that, it comes back with a message that the software/driver is NOT available for download.

I keep going around in circles...

So: I now have the drivers downloaded in a package of 1.4 gig. Those are placed in my Library on my "Macintosh" folder.

How do I connect the driver to the printer in System Preference?

Thanks a milion!

Aernout

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), Epson Stylus SX600

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 10:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 13, 2012 11:39 AM in response to AernoutZ

If the drivers have been installed, you can select which PPD to use by using the "Print Using" menu when adding the printer. The "Select Printer Software" item takes you too a list of installed drivers.

Hope this helps.

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 13, 2012 12:56 PM in response to AernoutZ

Usually, if the correct driver is downloaded and installed, the system identifies it automatically, even if the driver is valid for more printers. If you installed the correct driver, it is indeed curious the system does not identify it.

You can choose the driver manually though, when adding a printer with + button, you have the option to choose the printer driver manually, even if this is not a standard installation.

Reply

Answer 3

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 13, 2012 10:44 PM in response to AernoutZ

Thank you. I have tried, but clearly can't find the right workflow.

The system doesn't identify it because it doesn't search on the harddrive but immediately goes online. How can I tell System Preference where to look? How do I choose the driver manually?

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 4

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 13, 2012 10:45 PM in response to Cattus Thraex

Thank you. I have tried, but clearly can't find the right workflow.

The system doesn't identify it because it doesn't search on the harddrive but immediately goes online. How can I tell System Preference where to look? How do I choose the driver manually?

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 5

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 13, 2012 11:17 PM in response to John Blanchard1

When I follow your flow, I end up on a window with "Printer Software", but that window is empty. It doesn't even contain the drivers/printers that are installed already. How can I make this look where it ought to look?

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 14, 2012 5:47 AM in response to AernoutZ

Upon selecting the printer, you have the option Other...

Cannot send a screenshot, as I must have a printer around so as to reproduce the situation before choosing the printer.

Reply

Answer 7

Apr 14, 2012 12:46 PM in response to Cattus Thraex

OK, follow these steps:

1. Add Printer, i.e. click on +. In my examples, I chose Canon MP 250, which is installed (deleted it, and put it back)

2. Ignore the default choice, and go to Select Printer Software

3. Choose manually the driver

Reply

Answer 8

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 15, 2012 12:58 AM in response to Cattus Thraex

Thanks Cattus.

I guess that because no printer drivers appear in the window under your no. 3 on my computer, despite there being hundreds of them in my Library which I downloaded a few days ago, that my System Preference doesn't look in the correct folders. How can I set the correct folder when manually chosing the driver?

Reply

Answer 9

Apr 15, 2012 1:26 AM in response to AernoutZ

Hm... how did you downloaded them? These drivers are included in print packages, so my guess is you misdid something. If you click on the next option, il.e. Others, you may choose any other location by browsing your disk.

Reply

Answer 10

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 15, 2012 1:35 AM in response to Cattus Thraex

I downloaded a zip file from the Apple site, with was automatically unzipped into a dmg, which then installed itself automatically in a sub folder of the library folder. There are hundreds of drivers there, but not one shows up. Not even the one printer that I have managed to install, which is a Canon one.

Reply

Answer 11

AernoutZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 15, 2012 1:38 AM in response to AernoutZ

By the way: I was able to install the scanner that is built into this multi-functional thing... Scanner yes, printer no.... Strange...!

Reply

Answer 12

Apr 15, 2012 1:43 AM in response to AernoutZ

Hm... there are things I cannot understand in your statement, but try to solve by manually choosing the driver as suggested, click on Others and proceed.

It is indeed strange you made scanner work, but not the printer. Usually, the driver makes them both work.

Reply