MetroMac Forums: My printer stays offline - MetroMac Forums

I don't use my printer [Canon PIXMA MG6120] every day and often it refuses to print or scan when I need it. It is offline now and I can't do anything to get it to print or scan. I use a late 2009 iMac, OS 10.6.8, 4 GB RAM and with a direct connection between the printer and computer. I have tried disconnecting everything and it is no help. I have downloaded the latest driver and it is no help. Can anyone help me with this problem? Thanks in advance.

Henry

The problem is with OSX Lion and Mt. Lion since they removed Apple Talk from it, and now there are problems with Macs accessing printers. Until Apple releases a fix or puts Apple Talk back into OSX, you are stuck as many other users are.

Elfen, on 04 February 2013 - 04:10 PM, said:

There are a few errors in what you are saying though = Appletalk was removed from OSX with 10.6.8 = Snow Leopard and not with Lion 10.7.x or Mountain Lion - 10.8.x.
Apple will never add Appletalk back into the OS in my opinion based on the track record and the fact it is a dead protocol at this point and we are 3 revs of the OS past ending support.

Yes some legacy older printers only used Appletalk and yes, those are basically dead but this printers is not that old nor in that category based on what I am reading so I do not see your conclusion as being the cause of Henry's problems although end of Appletalk and his iMac were both in 2009. I think any iMac models are new enough for non-Appletalk connection options.
The printer per the reviews I read said there are 3 connection options = Wifi, ethernet or USB and I don't see why Appletalk is needed unless that info is specifically stated as the only protocol in the printer and I suspect that is not the case but unless you know that for a fact the conclusion may not be correct.
Finally, Henry clearly implies the printer ONCE WORKED on this machine and OS so that totally removes the idea about Appletalk as that would have meant the printer would NEVER have worked for Henry on this computer but that does not sound like the case he describes. It sounded like it once worked ok.
Here is Canon link: http://www.usa.canon...es/pixma_mg6120
HENRY =
We do not know which method you used but I bet if Ethernet does not work, USB should work and if that iMac has Wifi that is another option.
I would download the latest drivers from the site you may not have tried Canon site or if not provided there, from Apple's site and the printer will be listed if supported as well as the OS version mentioned. If you tried both versions or only one offering then you know it is not print driver issues.
Here is Canonl link to drivers for Mac OSX Snow Leopard so we know that is supported - the OS you mention
http://www.usa.canon...versAndSoftware

IT DOES SOUND like Canon is supporting this printer in a more GENERIC way due to references of CUPS and TWAIN drivers but I would think it is doable
There are a number of reasons the printer could be sitting there from your perspective. Did you look at print queue and see if it is paused? Did you remove the drivers and install fresh set?
Create a new user account and try running printer from that account and see if it works.
LOTS of possible explanations that can cause this symptom and you need to remove what the cause is one at a time.

-Peter

pmfine, on 05 February 2013 - 08:53 AM, said:

Thank you for the correction. AppleTalk also makes connecting Macs together for file sharing on a network easier as well, though with the current OSes, there improvements to File Sharing that was not there before. This is based on my experience and knowledge, not what I picked up from a book or website.

pmfine, on 05 February 2013 - 08:53 AM, said:

There are too many variables without being there to see the actual set up.

In one of my client's cases, her printer (HP LaserJet from the 1990s) would not print from the network because Apple removed AppleTalk in an upgrade she did. Further upgrades of the OS did not fix the problem because - as we know why - Apple did not restore AppleTalk in its OS. Using a USB to Parallel Port Adaptor only made the printer work 10% of the time, with the Mac and its OS saying that its not connected to the printer the other 90%. It was a frustrating situation for her as she and her (deceased) husband are architects and she used that printer primarily for reports and contracts. In the end she brought a new printer and she gave me the old one which is still printing on my desk.

Mind you, Apple does have in its OS Install drivers for older printers, including this HP LaserJet she had, but it still did not work.

Hopefully your suggestions will work, but like I said, without seeing the actual setup, it is hard to decide on a solution without seeing it.

Thanks Peter and Elfin. I finally got it to work properly by digging up the original printer Install disk and starting from scratch. Evidently, my USB and WiFi connections were OK, but a different gremlin was the source of my trouble.
Thanks again,
Henry

hmarcinkowski, on 05 February 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

Congrats on the success.