Help! Xerox 5500N won't work on 10.10.x ...

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Level 1

44 points

Help! Xerox 5500N won't work on 10.10.x ...

I had to help someone upgrade from 10.6.8 on Mac Pro (late 2008) to 10.10 as the functions of 10.6 failed them (no flash support, newer app updates, internet web update compatibility and needs to update to newer iTunes and iOS compatibility).

Well, aside from some software update issues (quark, fonts, office), the most important issue is printing to a low-hour Xerox 5500N. We are talking a $10K printer (in 2010) that was then abandoned from 10.7 to 10.10 (didn't realize this till researching Xerox sites).

I downloaded the latest Apple drivers image file and installed. It sees the printer (via Bonjour) and selects a 5500N driver. But then, it has a blank ALERT window and finishes the install.

Selecting the printer, sending file (word, text) results in filter failed error. It will not print.

Selecting and deleted printer. Reset Printing System. Add printer again. Same error.

If I remove, then re-add the printer but select Generic Printer Driver, it will print but ONLY 8.5" x 11" paper, not the tabloid (11x17) size.

Is there some solution to get this perfectly good printer to work with OS 10.10?

Posted on Oct 9, 2015 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Oct 9, 2015 10:30 AM in response to Eddie Ski

Have you checked Xerox's website for a compatible driver?

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Answer 2

Eddie Ski Author

Level 1

44 points

Oct 9, 2015 12:46 PM in response to Eric Root

I did. Nothing for this model past 10.6.8.

It is really sad as the 5500N was $9500 new and has less than 2000 pages printed over 4 yrs.

Yet Xerox now sells the 7100N (~$1499) and has support back to 10.7 thru 10.11

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Answer 3

Oct 9, 2015 2:13 PM in response to Eddie Ski

There is a Mavericks driver for the 5500, its worth downloading and testing, many Mavericks drivers work in Yosemite.

Xerox Phaser 5500 Downloads

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Answer 4

Kurt Lang

Level 9

69,246 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:27 PM in response to Gary Scotland

That's only firmware. The last drivers download is for Snow Leopard.

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Answer 5

folksong

Level 1

120 points

Oct 9, 2015 4:12 PM in response to Eddie Ski

The Xerox site indicates this is a PostScript printer. it also understands PCL 6 and PCL5. That means you can use either Apple's Generic PostScript or Generic PCL driver. You can also get a PostScript ppd specific to your printer from the OpenPrinting site. Download it from http://openprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.php?driver=Postscript-Xerox&printer=Xerox-Ph aser_5500N&show=0

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Answer 6

Eddie Ski Author

Level 1

44 points

Oct 11, 2015 9:04 AM in response to Gary Scotland

That is a Firmware update, not a driver. Thanks though.

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Answer 7

Eddie Ski Author

Level 1

44 points

Oct 11, 2015 9:06 AM in response to folksong

I will try this PPD. All that matters is that the Phaser 5500N recognize the mac and have all pages sizes accessible (mostly 8.5x11, 11x17). I'll post back later in the week if any success. Thanks Folksong.

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Answer 8

folksong

Level 1

120 points

Oct 11, 2015 9:54 AM in response to Eddie Ski

Eddie Ski wrote:

I will try this PPD. All that matters is that the Phaser 5500N recognize the mac and have all pages sizes accessible (mostly 8.5x11, 11x17). I'll post back later in the week if any success. Thanks Folksong.

Just be sure to select the options you have installed under Options & Supplies. You can set the number of trays you have, the amount of memory, finisher, stapler, hole punch, etc. If you don't set these options, they will be grayed out in the print window.

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Answer 9

Jul 20, 2016 1:45 PM in response to folksong

This worked! Thank you so much!

Go to Printers> Hit the Plus Key> Click on your Phaser 5500> Click the "use" box> Select "Other"> Load the file that you just download.

I can now print 8.5x11 again!

Once again. thank you!

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Answer 10

RaulMeGo

Level 1

4 points

Jun 21, 2017 8:39 PM in response to Eddie Ski

I install the 5550DN driver for the Phaser 5500 DN and works fine the only thing I didn't do is printing from automatic selection. I have to select the tray where I put the tabloid size paper.

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