Mac OS X 10.4: Transferring a printer list

You can transfer a list of printers from any computer that has Mac OS X 10.2 or later installed to a computer with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger installed. With Tiger, you can also transfer a printer list from one partition to another on the same computer using Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant.

When starting Mac OS X 10.4 for the first time, the Setup Assistant appears, enabling you to transfer information from another computer or from another partition on the same computer. If you select "Network & other settings" and either "Applications folder" or "Files and folders on (volume name)" (or both), your list of printers will also be transferred.

If you've already completed the Setup Assistant but didn't transfer the printer list, you can use the Migration Assistant to transfer the list:

  1. Open Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder (from the Finder's Go menu, choose Utilities).
  2. Select either "Migrate Applications" or "Migrate Files and Folders" (or both) in the Migration Assistant window "Step 2 of 4: Pick Applications and Files".
  3. Select "Network Settings" in the Migration Assistant window "Step 4 of 4: Machine Settings".

 

It's possible some raster (ink-jet) printers might not transfer, but if this happens, you can easily add them using the Print & Fax preferences in System Preferences. Tip: USB and FireWire printers are added to the printer list automatically if you have a driver installed for the printer and it's connected to your computer.

My transferred printer doesn't work

In the unlikely event that one or more printers that were transferred from another system do not work as expected on your Tiger computer, use the Print & Fax preferences in System Preferences to remove the printer, then add it again.

Published Date: Oct 10, 2016