How to Use a Shared Printer on a PC From a Mac
Printers that are connected to a Windows computer can be set up for access by a Mac to print documents. The PC will serve as a print server for other computers to process documents. Setting up a PC to share a connected printer with a Mac requires revising the Windows Firewall, setting up a sharing protocol and labeling the printer and its IP address. Macs have a Terminal utility which enables programming for accessing other computers directly using the unique Windows sharing setup.
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Instructions
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Printer Connected to PC
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1
Select "Network Connections" under "My Network Places" in the Control Panel. Select "Change Windows Firewall Settings" in the left-hand frame of the window.
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2
Click the tab for "Exceptions." Select "Add Port" and type a unique name in the "Name" field such as "Shared printer" for identification. Write down the name of the shared printer.
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3
Type "515" in the "Port" field and click "OK" to save these settings.
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4
Click the option "Add or Remove Programs" in the Control Panel. Click the icon in the left-hand frame to "Add/Remove Windows Components" and select "Other Network File and Print Services" by double-clicking the icon.
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5
Click the box next to "Print Services for Unix" to add a check mark. Wait for the configuration to be installed and click "OK" to close the utility.
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6
Select "Administrative Tools" in the Control Panel and select "Services." Click the tab for "Extended" and verify that the box next to TCP/IP Print Server is checked.
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7
Click "OK" if needed (if settings were changed such as checking the TCP/IP box).
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8
Select the "Printers & Faxes" icon in the Control Panel and select your printer with a right-click to choose "Properties."
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9
Click the tab "Sharing" and type a name for the shared connection that is short (no spaces) such as "pcshare." Write down the name of the shared connection.
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10
Launch the "Run" function under the Start menu.
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11
Type "ipconfig" at the prompt and press the "Enter" key. Write down the IP address that is generated.
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12
Launch the Terminal utility on your Mac (located in the "Utilities" subfolder under Applications).
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13
Type the following information in the Terminal window:
cd /usr/libexec/cups/backend/
Press the "Enter" key. -
14
Type the following information in the Terminal window:
sudo ln -2 /usr/bin/smbspool smb
Press the "Enter" key. -
15
Type your administrator name and password if prompted.
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16
Select "System Preferences" from your dock and select the "Sharing" icon. Check the boxes next to the option for "Printer Sharing" in the left-hand frame.
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17
Launch your browser and type:
http://127.00.0.1:631
Press the "Enter" key. -
18
Select the option "Manage Printers" and select the function "Add Printer."
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19
Type the name for the location for identification and a description, if desired, and click the "Continue" link.
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20
Select "LPD/LPR Host or Printer" from the drop-down menu and click the "Continue" link.
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21
Type the following information in the field for "Device URL" (unique information is specified in capital letters with brackets):
lpd://[IP ADDRESS FROM STEP 11]/[SHARE NAME FROM STEP 9]
For example:
lpd://192.168.0.13/pcshare -
22
Press the "Continue" link to proceed to select your printer model from a list of drop-down menus. Click the "Finish" button to save your settings.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Printer drivers and software should be installed on both computers.
Keep your PC turned on because it will act as the print server for processing documents.
If you don't see your printer model in the list (step 22), select a similar printer so drivers can be accessed.
Consider connecting the printer to a wireless router such as the Airport Extreme base station which will process the documents without a dedicated computer turned on.
