Can't print from a windows pc to network printer

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Can't print from a windows pc to network printer

I am having a network printer problem.

I have a Canon printer plugged into the usb port of my Mac-Mini. I can print fine from the Mac to the printer. I have network sharing enabled for the printer.

I have a Dell PC connected to an Airport Express via internet cable as part of my network.

I have bonjour installed on the Dell

Bonjour can see the networked canon printer and will install it as the default printer for the Dell PC.

However, I can not print from the Dell unless I have the wrong printer driver (an HP driver) installed. As long as the wrong driver is installed I can print the first page of a document only.

If I install the correct Canon driver, the printer ceases to function.

I tried connecting the printer to the airport express via usb. Once I did this, I was able to print from the Dell pc with no problem using the correct driver. But then, I could no longer print from the Mac-mini via the Airport Express connected printer. The Mac could see the printer and identify that it was connected via Airport. And the Mac will allow me to connect to the Airport connected printer . But as soon as I trie to print something from the Mac, it fails and gives an error message or pauses and says the drivers may not be correct.

Can anyone help me with this issue?

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Nov 18, 2012 10:45 AM

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Answer 1

LousyFool

Level 4

2,662 points

Nov 19, 2012 1:36 AM in response to Detective445

Okay, you tried two different setups. Maybe you should reset the printer systems on both Mac and PC, then set it up the one way you prefer and with the correct Canon printer driver, then post the exact error message you're getting?

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Answer 2

Detective445 Author

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Nov 19, 2012 2:34 PM in response to LousyFool

Thanks for your response. I decided that my preferred configuration was to hook the Canon printer to the airport via usb.

Once I did this I was again able to print from the Dell PC with no problem. Bonjour even allowed me to install the printer on the Dell with the correct drivers.

Unfortunately, the Mac-Mini just can't connect to the printer via the airport. The Mac can see the printer and even install it with Mac drivers. But there is always an amber light next to the printer.

I believe that there may not be a solution to this because the printer will only recognize one set of drivers. Since one set of drivers is for the Mac and one set is for a PC It will only work with one machine or the other.

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Answer 3

LousyFool

Level 4

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Nov 19, 2012 3:14 PM in response to Detective445

Detective445 wrote:

I believe that there may not be a solution to this because the printer will only recognize one set of drivers. Since one set of drivers is for the Mac and one set is for a PC It will only work with one machine or the other.

Then you should be able to print from the Mini after resetting the printer, e.g. by turning it off and back on after a short while. But it sounds as if this won't help either, and to be frank, it's not an "acceptable" explanation, either... 😉

So, what's the error message? Unless known, we can only keep guessing:

You've reset the printer system in the Mini? Eventually consider deleting the Canon drivers manually afterwards, and only then add the printer again and re-install its software.

If that doesn't help either, the issue must be a communication problem, meaning I'd recommend to double-/triple-check all comm-related things as well.

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Answer 4

Detective445 Author

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Nov 19, 2012 3:32 PM in response to LousyFool

Thanks again for your time.

During earlier attempts I believe the message was something to the effect of "incorrect drivers" or "drivers not available"

But on the most recent attempt there was no error message. I hit print and a message popped up that said "processing" and then... nothing.

I will try to recreate the error when I get a little free time and see if I can get any exact messages.

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Answer 5

LousyFool

Level 4

2,662 points

Nov 19, 2012 3:33 PM in response to Detective445

It's simple: if a print job gets stuck, you'll have the printer icon in the dock with a badge attached to it. A click on it will open it and tell you the problem...

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Answer 6

Detective445 Author

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Nov 19, 2012 3:57 PM in response to LousyFool

Okay. Here is what I did.

Plugged printer into Airport Express.

Went to Mac-Mini system preferences. Reset printers.

Added Canon printer via AIrport Express. Installed drivers.

Printer shows with green light next to it and says "idle"

Went to a word processing program. Typed some text and hit "print"

Got message "processing"

Then got this message "Canon UFR II Printer Driver. Cannot communicate with the printer, or the printer is not supported. If the printer is supported, check the printer connection and add it again, then start Printer Utility to get the printer information."

A printer icon appeared in the doc. When I click it I get a popup that says "printer paused" when I hit resume I get the same error message as before.

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Answer 7

LousyFool

Level 4

2,662 points

Nov 19, 2012 4:05 PM in response to Detective445

Detective445 wrote:

Canon UFR II Printer Driver. Cannot communicate with the printer, or the printer is not supported. If the printer is supported, check the printer connection and add it again, then start Printer Utility to get the printer information.

Well, I guess this is the answer. In combination with you saying that it works fine with the Mini when directly connected to it, and the Dell being able to use it when the printer is hanging off the AE, I guess you do have a comm problem in between the Mini and the printer... and if it's the driver having trouble with the network.

Mind sharing which printer model it is?

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Answer 8

Detective445 Author

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Nov 19, 2012 4:08 PM in response to LousyFool

Sure its Canon Imageclass MF4350d

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Answer 9

LousyFool

Level 4

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Nov 19, 2012 4:34 PM in response to Detective445

Hmm, no objections if you use driver v2.41...

All pointers towards communication...

BTW, can you use the scanner function via AE?

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Answer 10

Detective445 Author

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Nov 20, 2012 3:43 PM in response to LousyFool

Yes. The scanner works when connected to the PC via the AE.

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Answer 11

LousyFool

Level 4

2,662 points

Nov 21, 2012 3:25 AM in response to Detective445

Good.

However, as far as printing is concerned in your preferred setup it looks like you're out of luck: when googling "mf4350d network" or "mf4350d airport", what you get is trouble reports all the way to statements that this unit isn't network-ready, at least not over devices such as Airport Express, or as a shared printer on a Mac, for that matter. If you haven't done yet, out of curiosity I looked up quite a few forum posts, and there is not a single solution for your setup I could find.

Unusual for Apple/Canon, I'd say, but there you go. Sorry.

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