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Printer Troubleshooting, Macintosh Version

The following are instructions for fixing printer-related problems with Macintosh computers. You can select this link for directions for installing printers and this link for directions for selecting and using printers.

I can't select a transparency tray OR printer does not print to expected tray OR I can't select a tray for a printer.

Select "Chooser" from the the Apple menu:



Select the "LaserWriter 8" icon from the top left pane and select the printer zone from the bottom left section. The mostly commonly used printers and zones:

HP LaserJet 5Si, room B481 - in "Med-Biochemistry" AppleTalk zone.
HP LaserJet 5Si in room B414 - in "Med-CMGM" AppleTalk zone.
HP LaserJet 5Si in room B400 (Department Faculty and Staff only) - in "Med-Biochemistry" zone.
Biochemistry Phaser 550, room B481 (color printer) - in "Med-CMGM" zone.

Note that in the right-hand pane, printers already connected to your computer have a small printer icon to the left of their name.

Select the printer from the right side of the window that is giving you difficulty and click the "Setup..." button. You should see the window below while your computer communicates with the printer:




The most important piece of information is the PPD file the computer identified for your printer. Verify that this file corresponds to the name of the printer model:

Room B481 B&W Printer: use "HP LaserJet 5Si" PPD
Room B414 B&W Printer: use "HP LaserJet 5Si" PPD
HP LaserJet 5Si in room B400: use "HP LaserJet 5Si" PPD
Biochemistry Phaser 550, room B481 (color printer): use "TK550171.PPD" PPD

Download missing Printer Description Files at the link here. After downloading, run the decompressed "Biochem Printer Installer". The installer adds the printer files to the System Folder/Extensions/Printer Descriptions folder.

Other Printer Links

Printing to selected printers

Fixing Printing Problems


Last Updated: Friday, March 19, 1999