DSM 4.0 and MAC printing

[mviertel]

Hi,

I just upgraded from a DS207 to a DS212, as I couldn't wait until some time in August, till my OSX 10.7 Mac could access the NAS again (see announcement).

One of the reasons why I upgraded was to get DSM 4.0 and get support for printing for my Apple devices. I have a Canon MP600 connected to the NAS. I should note that the migration from the old to the new NAS was absolutely seamless and I didn't have to change anything in the config, it seemed to completely migrate across, with all data, all user settings etc.

Now, when I print from the MAC (MacBookPro 15) it connects to the printer and sends the data, but nothing happens at the printer end. It can see the printer, as can any other device (incl. my iPad as Airprint is enabled), however neither the MacBook nor the iPad can print it.

When I connect the Mac directly, it works fine (so the printer driver is ok, I am using 5.83, the most recent available from the Canon website). Also, printing from one of my PCs is still working as it did before the upgrade.

I'm not sure what to check next. All online documentation pertains to older versions of both OSX and DSM and keeps harking on about PostScript support, but I am not sure that is still relevant.

I'd prefer not having to change the printer after all that now.

[mviertel]

I should add that it has now timed out and came back with this error:

Error Number : 306 A communication error has occurred. Make sure that the printer is plugged in, powered-on, and properly connected to your computer. Then try printing again.
The printer is not connected.

[Derek Leung]

Same here! the 4.0 upgrade bring up this big problem, before upgrade I can share and print through my 212 perfectly,
now it broke!

[MacbookProof]

Same here: Canon MP600 connected to brand-new DS412+ with DSM4.0
Printer is recognized by DS412+, I can install it on my MacbookPro and even send a test print from the driver, but not from any applications! AirPrint enabled, printer visible from iPhone but after print command nothing happens.

[mviertel]

Update on the OP:

I just managed to print on the above setup using my iPad 3 and ReaddleDocs. Well, that is to say, it printed the first page fine, but it made a mess of the next page. It also took forever to print, taking long breaks between each line.

Looks like this is an issue with the communication between the NAS and the printer now. However it is still not an issue with any windows PC, which work fine. I mean, if I really need to get a new printer, so be it, but I don't want to be stuck with the same problem and tbh this shouldn't be that hard.

[myCloud]

Troubleshooting

In the External Devices Control Panel, under Set Up Printer, check Network Printer and don't check AirPrint. Click + to add a printer on your Mac and see if it sees the printer on the DiskStation. If it does, install that printer with the appropriate driver on the Mac (same one you use to print to it when hooked directly to your Mac). Printing should work.

If your printer has scanning, go back to the External Devices Control Panel, under Set Up printer, and check Network MFP. See if printing still works and now if scanning works.

Then click Enable AirPrint, and select the printer brand and model. See if the above still work and now if you can see the printer and use it on an iDevice.

[MacbookProof]

Unfortunately, the suggested solution already goes wrong at step 1, cause even as a simple network printer without MFP or AirPrint, nothing happens...

[myCloud]

Works for me. In System Preferences -> Print and Scan, clicking + shows usbprinter1@hostname.

[Derek Leung]

Works for me. In System Preferences -> Print and Scan, clicking + shows usbprinter1@hostname.

Right I can see and add the printer in System Preference just like you did, but when I print, mac will sent the job to print but
after it show "communication error" can't print at all!

[pachakamac]

Hi,

I'm experiencing the same issue with my brand new DS212J and old reliable Canon MP600.
The printer works fine when connected via USB to the Mac (iMac or MBA).
Under Apple Bonjour, the printer is recognised, printing a test page works, but any regular print just hangs after "Printer connected".

A clumsy but workable solution is to add the printer to the Apple Printer Preference pane manually as an IP printer, using the "Line Printer Daemon - LPD" protocol, with the IP adress of the NAS and one of the printer drivers available on the NAS (I picked MP610). Only drawback: this is print only, scanning or printer informations are not available.

If this can help until the Bonjour support of DSM4.0 is fixed...

[diosj]

Hi,

I have the same problem on my MAC (osx 10.6.8, diskstation ds211j, DSM 4.0-2228): if I want to print anything (f.e.: a pdf file from adobe reader) the program sents the print job to the diskstation, everything seems fine, except the printer doesn't do anything. Using a windows xp-machine, everything works!

Dear Synology, please fix this ASAP, it is very annoying!

Regards,
Janos

p.s.: printing a test page from my mac works...

[Derek Leung]

I can't believe that such a very serious problem with the NAS I pointed out already 2 Months, Synology just do nothing about it!

So disappointed ! ! !

[pachakamac]

Hi,

Correction to my previous post: actually what makes it work is the use of the Gutenprint printer drivers provided by the Synology NAS for AirPrint support, not the IP connexion protocol.
On the MacBook through WiFi connection, for some reason, the drivers are not proposed. I downloaded & installed them them locally from here: http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php.
Now I can print whatever the connexion mode (WiFi, Bonjour, IP or Samba protocols).
But still no scan and no printer info...

[Derek Leung]

Hi pachakamac,

Thx for your info, I did follow your suggestion and install the Guteprint software, but after try all different protocols inside
system preference, none of this work! my epson printer usb now plugged in the NAS back panel but not working!

But only Google Cloud Print working! There is the communication error between my Mac with the NAS!

May I ask what is your exact set up please?

[Jeremie]

Hi all,

Would just like to provide a recap to install printers on MACs as there are more options than with Windows :

1)-AirPrint driver (install with Apple bonjour)
2)-Gutenprint driver (if you don't want to use Airprint or it appears to not be supported)

If these first 2 options don't work, then consider trying with:
3)-Original driver of the printer
4)-PS driver or PCL drivers

If you still experience problems or need more specific help, we recommend contacting our support team.

Jeremie