How do I print to an IP address in MAC OS 8.1

[jtorrey2]

I have a Mac 8.1 OS and have a print-server IP address that I need to printer to. I am not very fluent with any Macintosh OS's. The MAC has internet connection through our network(DHCP). Is there a way to set up a printer to printer to an IP address? I dont feel like purchasing a new MINI DIN 8 cable for printing. Please be delicate with instructions.
Thanks
-JT

 

[jay9333]

Generally, Macs don't require IP addresses to print to a networked printer... at least you don't have to enter it in by hand.

I believe you're printer needs to be able to use the "AppleTalk" protocol that MacOS 8 uses for printing on the network. Look at your printers usermanual/CD-ROM to see if it supports AppleTalk. If it does, then the CD-ROM will have a MacOS driver for you to install on the computer. If you don't have a usermanual/CD with the printer, look under support/drivers at the manufacturers website and download the driver you need. It'll probably be a "laserwrite 8" driver or something. Download the driver and install it on the Mac.

Using the AppleTalk Control panel (which you get to by clicking the apple in the upper left corner of the mac's display and going to "control panels") make sure the ethernet port is selected as the computers network port.

Open the Chooser (again, under the apple icon) select the "laserwriter" icon. Printers that use appletalk on the network should be visible. Select the printer you want and click "Create".

This has worked for me in the past, though right now I'm having trouble with this issue myself. I can't see the printer I'm looking for on the network even though I installed its driver. I don't know if its a problem with my printer or what. Hopefully this will work for you, but if it doesn't and you figure out a way to get it working, please let me know

~jay9333

 

[jay9333]

Here's a few links I found by searching this forum (something you should always do before posting, btw):

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?SQID=811381&SPID=604&newpid=604&page=1

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?SQID=702675&SPID=604&newpid=604&page=1

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?SQID=504765&SPID=604&newpid=604&page=2

 

[jay9333]

Just a follow up, I finally got my printers working. My printer manufacturer (xerox, printer is a phaser 850) had drivers available on the website. I ran their "ppd installer" (which placed the correct ppd files in the system->extensions->PrinterDescriptions folder) and all seems to be working now.

Hope you get your problems figured out,

~jay9333