Printers & Imaging: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions answered in this article:

1. I have a Power Macintosh G3 computer running Mac OS 8.1, and a printer connected via LocalTalk to my printer port. However, when I click on the printer driver in the Chooser, the printer name does not show up in the Chooser. Why is the printer not seen?
2. Since installing Mac OS 8, I receive various desktop printing error messages. What is causing this and how can I resolve it?
3. I have a Color LaserWriter which has a background haze over the entire printable surface, I have changed toners, and photo conductor along with cleaning the transfer drum. What is causing this haze?
4. After installing Mac OS 8 or 8.1, when I try to scan an image with my Color OneScanner the computer freezes. Is the software not compatible with Mac OS 8.0 or later?
5. How can I connect multiple serial devices to my Macintosh when I have no serial ports available?
6. What communication mode do the switches on the back of my LaserWriter place the ports in?
7. My Color StyleWriter 2400 keeps giving me an error indicating that the waste ink tank absorbers are full and will not let me print. Why am I getting this error message and how do I correct it?
8. I am having problems printing to my LaserWriter using TCP/IP. Is there documentation that may assist me?

Question 1: I have a Power Macintosh G3 computer running Mac OS 8.1, and a printer connected via LocalTalk to my printer port. However, when I click on the printer driver in the Chooser, the printer name does not show up in the Chooser. Why is the printer not seen?

Answer: Removing or disabling the LocalTalk PCI extension should resolve the issue. For more information, refer to article 24476: "LocalTalkPCI Extension: LocalTalk Printing Difficulties."

Question 2: Since installing Mac OS 8, I receive various desktop printing error messages. What is causing this and how can I resolve it?

Answer: If you revive any of the following errors, follow the troubleshooting steps in article 24306: "Mac OS 8: Desktop Printing Troubleshooting."

• choose print and nothing happens or jobs hang in the queue
• choose print and get "printer not found" message
• choose print and get message "The file 'XXX' will be moved to the desktop because it is not a valid print file"
• setup printer in chooser and no desktop printer created (exception being StyleWriter 4000 series)
• -192 errors caused by desktop printing
• multiple desktop printers for same printer created on desktop
• "flashing" desktop printer icon (disappears and reappears)
• cannot create a desktop printer icon

Question 3: I have a Color LaserWriter which has a background haze over the entire printable surface. I have changed toners, and photo conductor along with cleaning the transfer drum. What is causing this haze?

Answer: The background haze is usually caused by a low humidity condition. Generally, the background will be grayish in color, however, the background haze color can be, predominately, any of the colors. To eliminate the background haze try to raise the humidity level with a humidifier. Also, keep the media you print on in the same room that you have the printer in.

Question 4: After installing Mac OS 8 or 8.1, when I try to scan an image with my Color OneScanner the computer freezes. Is the software not compatible with Mac OS 8.0 or later?

Answer: The issue you are describing is caused by Virtual Memory being set to On in the Memory control panel. The issue is resolved with the Dispatcher-Ofoto driver 4.2, described in article 21132: "Dispatcher Software: Virtual Memory Issue."

Question 5: How can I connect multiple serial devices to my Macintosh when I have no serial ports available?

Answer: There are third-party solutions that provide multiple serial ports, such as PCI and NuBus cards along with external hardware devices. Third-party solutions are supported by the manufacturer. Three third party manufacturers are:

• Momentum
• Silicon Valley Bus Company
• Keyspan

Refer to article 21119: "Mac OS: Third-Party Software and Hardware Guide." for help in searching for third-party solution:

• A

Question 6: What communication mode do the switches on the back of my LaserWriter place the ports in?

Answer: The communication mode is dependent upon which LaserWriter you have. To find out which communication mode the switch(s) place the ports in on various LaserWriter printers, refer to article 24318: "LaserWriter: Communication Mode Switch Setting Articles."

Question 7: My Color StyleWriter 2400 keeps giving me an error indicating that the waste ink tank absorbers are full and will not let me print. Why am I getting this error message and how do I correct it?

Answer: Before taking the printer to a service provider try clearing the EEPROM. Step by step instructions can be found in the following Knowledge Base articles.

• Article 17045: "Color StyleWriter 1500, 2400 & 2500: Waste Ink Absorbers Full Error."
• Article 21234: "Color StyleWriter 2200: Resetting Waste Ink Amount."

Question 8: I am having difficulty printing to my LaserWriter using TCP/IP. Is there any documentation that may assist me?

Answer: Yes, Knowledge Base article 20148: "LaserWriter Printers: TCP/IP Solutions Guide." may help resolve your issue.