Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Generic print driver for Mac OS 9

I have a older Max Running on OS 9.0.4 and I Need a generic print driver for my new printer which is the Brother 2640.. Brother does not support my operating system and told me I need to contact Apple and get a generic print driver... How can Download a generic print driver that will work on My operating system for this printer...?

null-OTHER, Mac OS 9.0.x

Posted on Jan 9, 2018 1:22 PM

Reply
6 replies

Jan 9, 2018 2:05 PM in response to carlosfromtorrance

Brother 2640 supports PCL6, which may be supported by the LaserWriter 8 drivers for Mac OS 9. That might be a starting point. Note this printer only support USB and Parallel, and has an optional NC-4100h (internal ethernet print server) to connect via Ethernet. I believe you will need it to connect via Ethernet to work with LaserWriter 8.

USB Parallel technology used to exist with Strydent's software. See my FAQ* on some solutions which may work:


http://www.macmaps.com/printersx.html


* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Jan 9, 2018 4:40 PM in response to carlosfromtorrance

a brody mentioned Mac OS 9 and the LaserWriter 8 driver.


The following information could possibly be of interest to you:

http://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2460_all (HL-2460 Specification)

http://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2460_all&os =9 (Download)

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doc002101/2460Eng_verF.pdf (User's Guide, pp. 2-18 - 2-19)

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doc002102/nc41eng.pdf (Network User's Guide, pp. 7-1 - 7-7, Printing from a Macintosh)


I do not know whether it is absolutely necessary to use an (optional) internal NC-4100h print server. If not, the HL-2460 has a parallel port, and there are several Ethernet-to-parallel port print servers (often, not very expensive). You may want to look for a model with the appropriate protocols support, and perhaps carry out a few experiments.

Jan 10, 2018 2:35 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

My model is Brother Fax -2840... The BR -Script driver in one of these links for the HL- 2460 that you listed is compatible Mac OS 9 and is a generic driver .. I downloaded it and installed it and followed the instructions to chose it but it did not work as after I chose laserwriter 8 in the choser window it would not let me click on the create button to finish the process.. ?

Jan 10, 2018 3:29 PM in response to carlosfromtorrance

The FAX-2840 is a completely different printer:

http://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=fax2840_us_as

Unfortunately, nothing indicates that it would be compatible in any way with Mac OS 9.


So, please disregard everything said earlier about the HL-2460 model.


See the following for FAX-2840 system requirements, printing, et cetera:

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doc002970/cv_fax2840_use_soft.pdf

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doc002987/cv_fax2840_use_busr_lea792001.pdf

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doc002984/cv_fax2840_use_ausr.pdf

http://support.brother.com/g/b/oslist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=fax2840_us_as


A temporary workaround could perhaps be to create PDF files on the Mac OS 9 computer (for example via the free PrintToPDF), and then transfer these files to a supported computer (Mac or PC) for printing. It is relatively easy to set up a small file server on the Mac OS 9 machine, if necessary (you could then access the files via a local network).

Generic print driver for Mac OS 9

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.