Incompatibility issues, me and my printer

October 12, 2006 11:50 AM

I bought a used printer. The software is for OS 9 and I've got OS X and it won't let me install. Searching the HP website hasn't really helped me. Am I screwed?

I've got me an HP Deskjet 930C printer. The software pantheon says 'nay.'

posted by punkbitch to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

It is very likely to work at least a little bit (if not perfectly) with the installed drivers in OS X. I would just plug it in and try to add it in the Printer Utility and see what happens.
posted by mikel at 11:55 AM on October 12, 2006

I just googled "deskjet 930c os x". First hit is from Apple's website, and it says that OS X 10.1 already includes the drivers for the HP DeskJet 930C.
posted by russilwvong at 11:56 AM on October 12, 2006

According to this help document at Apple support, the driver you need should be included in OSX 10.4. (Search for your printer on the page, it's there).

Have you tried installing it using the system drivers and forget about the included software?
posted by visual mechanic at 11:56 AM on October 12, 2006

This old article seems to indicate that drivers are indeed available. And Apple says they include drivers for that printer with OS X 10.4.
posted by ldenneau at 11:56 AM on October 12, 2006

According to this, there is a driver for the 930C in the CUPS printing system.

CUPS is a way to print in OS X (and Linux) to printers without native OS X (or Linux) drivers.

CUPS is part of a default OS X installation.

Open up the Printer Setup Utility and connect to the 930C with the HPIJS CUPS driver.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:58 AM on October 12, 2006

This isn't a definitive answer, but I had a similar situation (upgraded computers, had an old HP printer). I eventually gave up and got a newer printer. I would suggest you at least try an open-source driver before throwing in the towel. Gimp-Print claims to support the 930C.
posted by Gilbert at 12:01 PM on October 12, 2006

Ignore the software that came with the printer and use the OS X printer setup utility. I have a 932C (basically the same printer) working just fine with the Gimp-Print driver, which comes installed default with OS X 10.4.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:19 PM on October 12, 2006

Hm. I have a 930c and it works fine wtih 10.4.8 with the included drivers. Weird you're having issues.
posted by smallerdemon at 3:13 PM on October 12, 2006

what smallerdemon said (and I just got my 930C about a month ago).
Got it at a tag sale for $5 and it works like a charm.
posted by Fupped Duck at 4:49 PM on October 12, 2006