Installing Network Print Queues in MacOS X

1. Problem
   

   How do I print to the network printers using MacOS X?

2. Solution
   

   To print to the Physics Astronomy networked printers, you must first install the print queues on your system. To do this:
   

   1. Bring up the Print Center. It can be found in the Utilities folder under Applications in the Finder.
   2. Click the "Add" button.
   3. Make sure the first drop down menu is set to "IP Printing". Leave the second drop down box alone... it should say "LPD/LPR". (NOTE: This second drop box doesn't appear in versions earlier than 10.3.) In the "Printer's Address" field type (without quotes of course) "print.pa.msu.edu".
   4. In the "Queue Name" field type the name of the queue that you want to print to. For example, if you want to print to the HP Laserjet 8000 in the copier room, you would type "hpljcapa" (once again without the quotes). (In versions earlier than 10.3 you will need to uncheck the "use default queue" box.) Your printer box should now look like this:

      

   5. Now pull down the "Printer Model" list and select which type of printer you are printing to. In our example, you would choose "HP", and in the window that appears below you would choose "HP Laserjet 8000 series". If your Mac doesn't have the correct model information for your printer leaving the model as "generic" will work in most cases.

   NOTE: Most queue names on print.pa.msu.edu follow the name scheme "bps{room number}". However, there are a few exceptions. Click the link below for a list of queue names.

3. Other Useful Information
   1. Click HERE for a list of the Physics Astronomy networked printers in the Biomedical and Physical Sciences building.
   2. Click HERE for information on how to connect to Jupiter-PA in MacOS X.

Questions not covered in this FAQ? Make sure to send them in!

Last Updated: 2008.06.12 (Thursday) Eastern Daylight Time by Jeffrey Bowes