Installing Printers on Mac OS

Overview

To use a campus network printer, you need to install the driver intended for that printer on your computer. Mac OS X can take advantage of Rensselaer's printers.win.rpi.edu server, however it will require some manual configuration.

Before installing the printer, you will need to know the name of the printer you want. Check the list of public printers, sorted by type and sorted by location, for reference.

Procedures

1. Click the Apple Menu in the top left of the screen. 
2. Click System Settings
3. Choose Print & Fax or Printers & Scanners from the left tab menu.
4. Click "Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax..."
5. Press the Control key on your keyboard, while clicking the "Default" icon (or any other icon on the toolbar), then choose Customize Toolbar from the contextual menu that appears.
6. Drag the Advanced (gear) icon to the toolbar.
7. Click Done.
8. Click the Advanced icon that was added to the toolbar:
   
   [Advanced icon selected showing type, device, URL, name, location of the printer]
9. Choose the Windows printer via spoolss option in the Type: field, and the Generic PostScript Printer option in the Use: field.
10. In the URL: field, type smb://printers.win.rpi.edu/printer_name , where printer_name is the printer you would like to set up.
11. In the Name: field, type the name under which you would like the printer to display.

Note: When you print something, you should be prompted for your username and password; enter your the RCS userID and password. (No win\ needed.) If you are not prompted for a username and password, an outdated copy is likely stored in your keychain. Delete the old key from keychain access (located in the Applications Utilities folder), and you will be prompted for your login when you next print.

Last Reviewed:   13-Mar-2024