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canadian_hockey · Jul 25, 2008, 01:04 PM

Hi everyone,

I have a network setup and I am using "Network Magic", here's the thing, normally its fairly simple to share my printer, even between mac and PC, I've read many threads on how to do so, but they don't answer my needs. Here's the thing, my printer is said not to have a cross-platform (I think it just means it won't work on boths OS). My PC is my host computer. It is directly connected to the HP laserjet 1020. Here's the problem: the hp drivers don't show up on Mac when I go under the "Print and Fax" in System Preferences, however I downloaded one of the internet (it goes undetected for some reason). To verify the driver worked correctly I plugged the printer into my mac and, it worked. So I know know it works on my mac and my PC through USB. Now how can I make it work on both? (keep in mind HP Laserjet 1020 drivers aren't shown in the list).

Thanks a lot for your help
Andrew
[email protected]

Scleros · Jul 25, 2008, 09:44 PM

First off, I have limited experience with Macs so don't consider this response as authoritative but it may suffice until a Mac guru comes along. For the PC to host a printer, the device wishing to use the printer must have a driver installed for the printer and must be communicating with the PC using the File and Printing sharing SMB protocol. If this is what Network Magic provides for Macs, their web site states:

* Currently Network Magic for the Mac only enables printer sharing between Macs and PCs for printers supported by the Macintosh operating system. To view a list of supported printers, go to Mac OS X 10.4: Included printer drivers and PostScript PPD files. If your printer is not on the list or does not have an "X" under the "Modern Driver" column, it will not work.

The LaserJet 1020 is not the list. So, that indicates to me that the Network Magic software only works with printers the Mac OS has built-in drivers for, not printers you can add a Mac driver for. I suggest you contact Network Magic and confirm.

Possible workaround:
Procure a TCP/IP print server device that supports USB connected printers, such as HP Jetdirect 175x, and install the printer as a straight TCP/IP network printer on both Mac and PC. You may sacrifice some functionality by doing this as the LaserJet 1020 wasn't designed for native network connectivity.