How-To: Resurrect Your AppleTalk Printer in Snow Leopard
Did Snow Leopard leave your old AppleTalk printer out in the cold? Grab a hot cup of cocoa and warm your printer up with some of these handy tips to continue to use your classic AppleTalk printer with your state of the art operating system.
Print Via USB
Of course! Get a longer USB cable if possible, but what if your printer doesn’t have a USB port? It may have an old-style parallel port probably marked “LPT.” For those people who have not seen them, here is a picture of one of these ports. Support for laser printers with these can be spotty, so use at your own risk. Not all the USB to Parallel Port adapters work well with the Macs, so do some research beforehand or buy from a place with a generous return policy.
Print Over IP
Some printers that support AppleTalk support other protocols such as IP. Many old LaserWriter workhorses such as the 16/600 fall into this category. If you are in a large office, ask your IT staff for help, but for those in a small office environment who are their own IT person, follow along! The hardest part is figuring out how to configure the IP address of the printer.
Step one is to find an open IP. Don’t try to use DHCP settings because if the IP address changes for some reason, it will be invisible on the network. Look at the IP address on your Mac by going to System Preferences and then Network. Your IP address will be in the format XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX. If you are using an Airport router, it’s probably 10.0.1.x, other routers will most likely be 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x. I always make printers .150 simply because I was taught that in school. Why? Just because. Avoid numbers in the low single digits, one hundreds, or two hundreds. Other devices may use these. To be extra safe, open up terminal and ping the address you decide on just to make sure nothing else is using it.
Actually configuring the printer may be tricky. Some will let you do it in the printer’s control panel in a “Network” or “TCP/IP” sub-menu. Let Google be your guide and simply search for your printer and TCP/IP settings or address. I wish I could be more specific. Some printers will have a “Printer Utility,” but those may not work in Snow Leopard. Try and print a test page so you confirm that you set the IP address correctly. Since HPs are such popular printers, here’s a link that covers most of its printers.
Next, go to the “Print & Fax” system preference pane and click the plus icon and then “IP” icon. Which do you choose from under the “Protocol” options? First try “HP Jetdirect-socket,” even if it’s not an HP printer. If it’s an older printer, start with LPD. Newer printers might accept IPP. Just type the IP address. Even if the IP address says valid and complete, that doesn’t mean you are talking to it. Most likely, Snow Leopard won’t be able to figure out which driver it to use. You’ll need to select it manually from the “Print Using” drop down. Since the printer worked in Leopard or Tiger, you’ll most likely have the driver already. Click “Add” and then run a test print. One of those three protocols should work. If not, you have other options.
Personally, I’ve had to do this with quite a few clients lately, printing to the larger business machine class multifunction copy stations, and it works like a charm.
Use a Parallel (or USB) to Ethernet Print Server
These boxes cost around $50. In my experience, I’ve rarely seen an Ethernet-only printer. As stated earlier, they usually have a parallel port as another port option.
You’ll need to confirm the print server supports printing over TCP/IP, but I’ve found that most do. It may have a Windows-only configuration utility, so be sure to check if it supports Mac out of the box, if you don’t have access to a Windows machine. Follow the procedures in the Print Over IP option above to pick an IP address and add the printer.
Alternatively, if you have a Airport Express or Airport Extreme, hook the printer up to that if the printer supports USB.
Use a Windows Machine as a Print Server (GASP!)
If you’ve tried everything else and it just doesn’t work, or you happen to have an old PC lying around, you can make it into a print server. Install the printer normally (if there is such a way) in Windows and make sure it works. Then go to “Add Printer” and click on “Windows” and your PC and the associated shared printer should appear. If it doesn’t, additional info can be found in this Apple Support document. Not all printers can be shared over Windows, but if it worked over ethernet, it should work over Windows via Print Sharing. Setting this up is not easy nor for the faint of heart! Often times a firewall needs to be configured on the PC to allow printer sharing.
Buy a New Printer
If your primary method of printing was via AppleTalk, your printer is probably pretty old, so maybe it’s time to buy a new one. A new printer has easier-to-find consumables and is most likely more energy efficient than your old one. Sure, you’ve already got money invested in the toner for the old one, but check its specs as compared to a new printer. Look at the material and labor cost of retrofitting your old printer versus buying a new one. You might be surprised at the ultimate value of buying a newer printer.
None of these solutions are a perfect guarantee you will be able to use your old printer forever, but they might help you get life out of the old bucket of bolts for a while longer, saving you money while letting you enjoy the features of Apple’s latest and greatest cat.
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Jason on September 4th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
This is awesome, thanks!
MrMojo on September 4th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
A reader at MacInTouch reported that the Belkin USB-to-Parallel-Printer adapter cable (P/N F5U002v1) worked with his LaserWriter. The Belkin adapter is available from Amazon for around $27 with free shipping.
I received my adapter but I haven’t upgraded yet because of software that I am using that has been upgraded yet to work with Snow Leopard. If the adpater doesn’t work it is nice to know that I have some options…
I really don’t want to buy a new printer since I paid $1350 for my LaserWriter 360 in 1995 and it has seen very light use over the years (I think that I have only replaced the toner cart one time!) It certainly is built better than any current laser printer that I have seen and generic carts work just fine with it.
It makes no sense to ditch a perfectly fine printer when it can be made to work for $50 or less…
ShigeoH on September 4th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Thanks for uploading this article, it’s very helpful :-)
עורך דין פלילי on September 5th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
cool tips.
i remember we used to play network games via appletalk.
Craig on September 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I just received the Belkin USB-to-Parallel cable (F5U002v1), plugged it in and added it to my list of printers in “Print and Fax” in the System Preferences and my HP Laserjet 6MP is back in business! I’ve never seen such a simple fix. I’ve been using the Assante bridge product; I would have gone to this long ago!
Big Mike on September 5th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Good Deal
That resolved it
LPD got my Samsung ML-1651n working as ip printer
Just like Leopard
Keep up the good work
John on September 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I have the Belkin adapter on order – thank you for the suggestion. But in the meantime, using an older Mac set up to share my Appletalk HP 6MP works well too. It now appears as a bonjour printer on my Snow Leopard Mac.
Staff Comment Dave Greenbaum, TheAppleBlog on September 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Thanks for all the positive comments. So glad I could help!
John, I thought of mentioning the idea of going from Snow Leopard—>Leopard—>AppleTalk—> printer but when I tested it it was terribly slow. Additionally it doesn’t solve the problem long term.
KenH on September 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Need help getting Apple Laserwriter 630 Pro to work with Snow Leopard.
Printer port is Apple Ethernet connector then to Fallon 10-T tranceiver to Ethernet cable to HP Jetdiret 175X (J6035A) printer server to USB to MacPro USB port.
HP does refer to a disk for the server, but the only software I see on their site is for PCs. Idid have this workig on an HP printer to an earlier Mac under an earlier OS.
Specs for server indicates AppleTalk compatible. HP Jetdirect-Socket shows up under IP in Add Printer preference. Host name or IP address is asked for. I don’t know what to use if any.
After a long wait, I can bring up the printer in “Print Using”, but the “Add” button is grayed out. Can anyone provide any help to get the printer working.
dirtysuite on September 11th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Break out your old PPC (since you can’t put SnowLeopard on it anyways) and use Printer sharing… It will keep the dream alive til you can afford the upgrade…
Bruce_F on September 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Using the Belkin cable mentioned above, I was able to add a printer but it still doesn’t print… unless I restart the computer.
Each document I send to the printer queue has to be followed by a restart. Then just as the blue screen comes up, the printer blinks and the document prints.
Weird…
Mikiein603 on September 12th, 2009 at 7:19 am
I, also, am trying to keep my workhorse 6MP printer going. It is on my home network via a Sonic Microprint print server. It seems that if I can come up with the IP address of this server I can set it up. How do I find the IP address of this?
Thanks.
Mike
Leon on September 12th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Anyone news on using a Apple LaserWriter 12/640?
I still have a G3 Server which possibly can function as a printerserver for this printer as well (makes more noise than the printer though). It already serves as an Epson Postscript RIP connected to a StylusColor with an Appletalk cable. Thanks.
Ben on September 13th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I have an old HP LaserJet 5MP attached with a USB adaptor to my Time Capsule.
It worked great in Leopard, but in Snow Leopard it wouldn’t appear.
I had erased my machine before installing Snow Leopard so I had to reinstall the HP LaserJet 5MP printer drivers. (I don’t install printer drivers during a system install)
To add the printer I used the IP section in the Add Printer dialog.
- I set the Protocol to HP Jetdirect – Socket.
- Then I put the Time Capsule’s IP address into the Address field.
- I left Queue blank.
- Lastly I gave the printer a name and location and set the “Print Using” popup to the HP LaserJet 5MP.
There does seem to be a decent delay before the printer actually prints, but for an old printer setup wirelessly I’m not fussed.
Hope that helps someone.
Cerise on September 18th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Thanks Ben, that helped a great deal with my HP LaserJet 5MP! Just got to figure out the IP address of my Canon MX700 now…
Armando on September 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Ben, What brand is your usb adaptor ?
Tarzan on September 25th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I had the same problem. I went to Airport Utility, clicked on Manually Configure, and then selected Printer, at the top. I then clicked Share over WAN, rebooted my Time Capsule, and bingo! My printer showed right back up, and installed perfectly, just like it did prior to Snow Leopard…
KenH on September 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I can verify the simplicity of using the Belkin USB-to-Parallel cable (F5U002v1). Plugged it in went to Printer preference, cable was IDed. Renamed it for the Laserwriter Pro 630 and selected the appropriate driver.
Did find that I had to do this from the final port connection (on a USB Hub). I didn’t take a chance on the less expensive cables that may not work.
Thanks for the solution!
Peter Payne on September 21st, 2009 at 8:06 am
Anyone know what to do about a Laserwriter 4/600? Doesn’t have Parallel, only the old Apple serial cable, which I have hooked into a Farallon iPrint. Doesn’t seem to generate IP addresses for me to sense.
thomas on September 26th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I have a Laserwriter 8500 Appletalk printer. Snow Leopard has rendered it useless. Any suggestions to get it working?
David K on October 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I got my 8500 working in Snow Leopard using the above directions (HP Jetdirect option) after using Apple Printer Utility running on an old Mac 7100 to change the IP address to one accessible on my network.
David Scott on October 14th, 2009 at 6:51 am
David K, which driver did you use, generic or the 8500 in Snow Leopard. (Can’t get it to print with Jet Direct option).
kenh on October 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
I got the Belkin Cable. It allowed my Laserwriter Pro 630 to work initially but since working is very intermittant. I get an occasional syntext error notification, but generally the print will que but not print. the LW Pro does not have an IP address that I could find.
Does this sound like a bad cable? Anybody know if a parallel connected print server will work?
Gen Williams on November 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 am
I work for a small company and we all use the Canon IRC3380i printer/copier/fax/scanner – it’s not that old a printer!
Just installed Snow Leopard, and it’s not showing up. Nor does it seem to let me add it.
In fact I had several printers installed on here – a printer at my dad’s house [just plugged in by USB], this Canon, and a crappy old HP Deskjet F2200. The most recently used printer was the Canon, before that the Deskjet. In Print & Fax settings, the default printer is the most recently used – which it says is the Deskjet.
I’ve had a few funny issues with IP settings [internet access, minor DNS stuff] since I installed SL on Fri but this is the only one I haven’t been able to fix. Help!? I know my way around my Mac but I’m not a support person so my technical knowledge is limited, particularly where printers and networks are concerned.
I just noted down the printer’s IP address on this network from a colleague’s machine – does this help, can I use this to get it back up and running? The above blog suggests creating a new IP address for it, I’m not sure how that works when the printer’s already active on the network for everyone else…?