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Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
#28319 03/08/14 10:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
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I'm having a recurring problem with a MacBook Pro running Lion 10.7.5 when I try to print to a HP LaserJet 6MP or 5MP on our network. The printers give garbage PostScript output instead of printing the document. The problem can get fixed for a short time depending on the fixes I try, then happens again a few days or weeks later.

The 6MP has 35MB of RAM installed and the documents being printed are all from MS Office - Entourage, Excel or Word, and they are not long or complex.

I believe the problem lies with the MacBook Pro and not the printers, as printing the same documents to those printers from other computers on the same network works fine. This problem just started to occur within the last two months, the MacBook Pro had no problem printing properly before that.

Here are the things I've tried, but nothing fixes the issue permanently:

- Resetting the printing system and setting up the printers again
- Reinstalling the latest HP printer drivers from Apple
- Running DiskWarrior to root out file/disk problems (nothing found)
- Fixing permissions with Disk Utility
- Installing the OS X Lion Combo Update 10.7.5
- Cleaning System and User caches with Onyx
- Using Apple's Fontbook to remove duplicate fonts and validate fonts
- Restarting the MacBook Pro
- Restarting the printers
- Installing/using the GutenPrint 5.2.9 drivers instead of the HP ones

Oddly enough, the GutenPrint drivers will usually print partial pages and don't give PostScript garbage output, but they do not print the entire document.

I'm guessing the problem is a corrupt file someplace, but I'm at a loss for where to look.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated.


Last edited by Rick Deckard; 03/08/14 11:48 PM. Reason: Added relevant info
Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
Rick Deckard #28379 03/13/14 05:22 PM
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Try logging in as a different user on this Mac to see if the issue follows....


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Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
MacManiac #28389 03/14/14 12:45 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
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Good idea, I will try that if the problem occurs again. The issue vanished and hasn't reoccurred in the last few days.

I've been leaning toward a bad Ethernet cable or port on the MacBook Pro as a possible cause. If the problem happens again I will immediately switch to wireless and try to print. If it does still spew out garbage, I will try your suggestion.

Thanks for the response.

Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
Rick Deckard #28534 04/03/14 04:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
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Originally Posted By: Rick Deckard
Good idea, I will try that if the problem occurs again. The issue vanished and hasn't reoccurred in the last few days.

I've been leaning toward a bad Ethernet cable or port on the MacBook Pro as a possible cause. If the problem happens again I will immediately switch to wireless and try to print. If it does still spew out garbage, I will try your suggestion.

An update: No problems printing at all in the last 3 weeks via wireless, so it appears to be a bad cable, bad Ethernet port on the MBP, or a bad port on the hub. Strange issue, but I may not troubleshoot it any further since it's working now.

Last edited by Rick Deckard; 04/03/14 04:57 PM.
Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
Rick Deckard #28869 05/02/14 12:47 AM
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Just wondering, how are you connecting ethernet to the 6MP?


Mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13"
2.4GHz, 750GB SATA HD, 8 GB RAM, OS 10.7.5
1 HDX1500 2TB Ext.HD, 2 HDX1500 1TB Ext.HD
HP Laserjet 6MP printing postscript via 10/100 Intel print server
Netgear WN2500RP Range Extender (Ira rocks!)
Linksys WRT1900AC Wireless Router
Brother MFC-9340CDW Color Laser
iPad Air
Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
slolerner #28871 05/02/14 10:30 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
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Originally Posted By: slolerner
Just wondering, how are you connecting ethernet to the 6MP?

The 6MP is connected to the network via a HP JetDirect 300X print server. I had to add it when Snow Leopard came out, as it dropped support for AppleTalk. Luckily I found one on eBay for about $30 at the time, brand new.

Re: Garbage PostScript printing output to HP LaserJets
Rick Deckard #28879 05/02/14 01:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
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I had the same problem. Was wondering what your solution was. It took me awhile to figure out the print server thing. I get a "bounding error seen" every now and then. Sometimes it puts out a just a few lines of garbage.


Mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13"
2.4GHz, 750GB SATA HD, 8 GB RAM, OS 10.7.5
1 HDX1500 2TB Ext.HD, 2 HDX1500 1TB Ext.HD
HP Laserjet 6MP printing postscript via 10/100 Intel print server
Netgear WN2500RP Range Extender (Ira rocks!)
Linksys WRT1900AC Wireless Router
Brother MFC-9340CDW Color Laser
iPad Air

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