USB Printer Sharing 1.0: Document and Software
System Requirements:
Mac OS 9.0 or later
File Size: 703 KB
This article contains a software link for USB Printer Sharing version 1.0.
This document contains important information about USB Printer Sharing, version 1.0, for Mac OS 9. You may want to print this document and keep it for future reference. For more information about USB printer sharing, look in Mac Help after you install the software.
Overview
USB Printer Sharing 1.0 lets you share Universal Serial Bus (USB) printers among multiple Macintosh computers using Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) on physical (Ethernet) and wireless networks (AirPort). Printers are registered and discovered using the Service Location Protocol (SLP) provided by Network Services Location (NSL) Manager, version 1.1.
Note
: Wireless Internet access requires an Internet service provider (fees may apply) and AirPort (or AirPort-compatible) wireless Ethernet card and base station. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. For more information, see Requirements for wireless Internet access with AirPort.
System Requirements for the USB Printer Sharing Software
Both the host Macintosh to which a printer is connected and the client Macintosh that uses the printer must be running a version of Mac OS 9.
Both host and client must be using TCP/IP to communicate on the network; AppleTalk is not supported.
Shared printers must be connected to the built-in USB ports found on iMacs, iBooks, newer G3 PowerBooks, Blue and White G3 systems, and G4 systems. Plug-in USB adapters and USB PC cards are not supported.
AirPort version 1.1 or later software is required for wireless networking.
To use a shared printer, the client must be a PCI PowerMacintosh, and must have the USB Printer Sharing software and the printer driver or PPD for the printer installed. To use a shared USB PostScript printer, the client Macintosh must also have a USB port.
Macintosh systems can be connected with cross-over cables, hubs, routers, switches, and AirPort.
Printer Compatibility
USB Printer Sharing 1.0 is compatible with most USB printers. For the latest information on printer compatibility and to find out if your printer is compatible with USB Printer Sharing, contact your printer vendor.
Installing the Software
Run the Installer program to install the USB Printer Sharing software and associated help files.
Important: You must install the USB Printer Sharing software on the computers that are hosting the shared printers (the computers to which the printers are connected) and on any computer that will print to a shared printer.
The installer adds these files:
USB Printer Sharing | In System Folder:Control Panels Folder |
USB Printer Sharing Extension | In System Folder:Extensions Folder |
ptUssbshr.htm | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt:pgs |
USB Printer Sharing |
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The installer replaces these files with updated versions:
pt idx | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt |
ptRtoc.htm | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt |
ptDsktpp.htm | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt:pgs |
ptTcpcp.gif | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt:gfx |
ptUsbshr.gif | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt:gfx |
ptVers.htm | In System Folder:Help:Mac Help:pt:shrd |
USB Printer Sharing |
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The installer deletes this file, if found:
USB Printer Sharing Prefs | In System Folder:Preferences |
USB Printer Sharing |
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The installer moves this file, if found:
DNSPlugin | In System Folder:Extensions to System Folder:Extensions (Disabled) |
USB Printer Sharing |
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In addition to the USB Printer Sharing 1.0 software, you will need to install the printer-specific software on each client Macintosh that uses a shared printer:
For shared USB raster printers (usually InkJet printers), install the manufacturer's printer driver on each client that uses the printer. | |
For shared USB PostScript printers (usually Laser printers), install the manufacturer's PPD file on each client that uses the printer. | |
USB Printer Sharing |
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Sharing a Printer
On the computer to which the printer is connected, open the USB Printer Sharing control panel and start USB printer sharing. Then click the My Printers tab and select the local USB printers that you wish to share by checking the box next to the printer's name. The printer will appear to other systems by the printer name and the hosting computer name as set in the File Sharing control panel.
Determining which network neighborhood the printer is shared in
Open the TCP/IP control panel and note the first domain name in the Search domains field (called "Additional Search domains" in advanced user mode). This is the network neighborhood in which the printers are registered. If the Search domains field is blank, the neighborhood defaults to "Local Services". You will need to know this neighborhood name to preselect the printer from another computer.
Using a Shared Printer
Preselect the printer: Open the USB Printer Sharing control panel, then click the Network Printers tab. If the printer you want to use is not in the list of preselected printers, click Add to open the NSL Printer Browser. Click a disclosure triangle to open the neighborhood where the printer is shared, then select the printer and click Choose.
Choose the printer: Use the Chooser (for an inkjet or other raster printer) or the Desktop Printer Utility (for a PostScript printer) to select the printer.
Troubleshooting
If your printer isn't listed on the My Printers tab
Try printing to it directly. Once that works, you should be able to see it in the USB Printer Sharing control panel.
If a remote shared printer doesn't appear in the Chooser or Desktop Printer Utility
Make sure it has been preselected using the USB Printer Sharing control panel.
Make sure it is shared from the host.
Make sure you are using the same network neighborhood on both host and client.
Make sure you are using the correct software to select the printer: Chooser and printer-specific driver for Raster Printers and Desktop Printer Utility for PostScript printers.
Contact your network administrator to ensure that routers in your network are configured to support Service Location Protocol (SLP) multicast packets. If your network does not support this, you may be able to use USB Printer Sharing by using the drag and drop features of USB Printer Sharing. See Mac OS Help for more information.
If you are unable to print to a preselected shared printer
Make sure it is shared from the Host and the neighborhood name hasn't been changed.
The printer may be busy; try again when the printer is free. If a printer is busy, you might receive a driver-dependent "printer busy" message.
Make sure TCP/IP is enabled using the TCP/IP control panel.
Make sure the printer is turned on, physically connected, and the host computer is not asleep or shut down.
USB Printer Sharing causes your Modem to Dial
Mac OS 9 does not support multi-homing (the ability to run the TCP/IP protocol over two different physical ports at the same time). Setting your TCP/IP control panel to PPP will cause your modem to dial. To avoid this, change your TCP/IP control panel to AirPort or to an Ethernet port. When you need to use PPP, stop USB Printer Sharing using the USB Printer Sharing control panel.
Removing the Software
To remove the USB Printer Sharing software from a computer, run the installer program and select the Remove option.
The following files are deleted:
USB Printer Sharing Version 1.0 | From the System Folder:Control Panels Folder |
USB Printer Sharing Extension | From the System Folder: Extensions Folder |
USB Printer Sharing |
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Known Issues
Some drivers do not support multiple printers. If you preselect more than one of these printers, you cannot be sure which printer is displayed in the Chooser.
Some drivers do not support printer names. If you preselect more than one of these printers, it might be difficult to tell which printer is which.
For use on Client systems without USB hardware, some drivers (including Epson) require that the USB software components be installed. This is done by reinstalling Mac OS 9, and select the "Customize" option. Once selected, you get a list of Software components to install. For Mac OS 9, Change the Installation Mode to "Customized Installation". Open the "Network and Connectivity" option and Check "USB". Leave all other options unchecked. Proceed with the installation.
Some drivers do not respond well if a printer is busy. The resulting error messages may be cryptic or nonexistent.
USB Printer Sharing will not share printers over Apple Remote Access.
USB Printer Sharing will not work properly in a network where IP Masquerading or Network Address Translation (NAT) is used.
USB Printer Sharing will not work properly with other printer sharing software running.
Applications that monopolize the CPU during critical processing (such as CD burning software) are not compatible with USB Printer Sharing and systems running such software should not be used to host printers.
Printers connected to a system that is shut down or asleep are not available. To avoid this, use the Energy Saver control panel and, under Show Details, set the hosting system to Never Sleep.
Software Support
The Apple Web site http://www.apple.com
Earlier versions of this software may be available at http://www.apple.com/downloads.
Downloading Help: Software downloads: Formats and common error messages.
All software available from this site is covered by a software license agreement included with this software.
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