# iMac question - printer not working **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 30, 2003, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741 "2003-12-30T10:48:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/1 "2003-12-30T10:48:11Z")
My Dad’s got an iMac problem that’s defeated me, so I’m hoping someone here can help. His hard drive got fritzed, so he had a new one installed. Ever since, we can’t get the printer to work. Any time he tries to print, we get an error message that says something else is plugged into the USB port, or some other application is using the USB port. He’s not using a splitter, so there’s only the two USB ports: one for the keyboard/mouse, and one for the printer. We’ve unplugged and replugged both of these. And the only application that’s running when we try to print is Apple Works, so I can’t figure out what application would be causing the problem. Before this happened, he was using a splitter for a little mini-cam, but that’s not been connected at all since the new hard drive was installed. Anyone with any bright ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/2 "2003-12-30T23:16:36Z")
What OS are you using? I found mention of a similar problem, affecting OS 8.5: > [@](#): > > After installing OS 8.5, you may be unable to select the AppleTalk port (often the Printer port) from the Chooser. Error messages reporting the printer port is not available because another application (or AppleTalk) is using the port. Epson Stylus printers seem most prone to this. Tip: Disable/Delete the Open Transport SNMP and OpenTptSNPlib extensions have been reported as fixing the problem. After you had the new hard drive installed, did you reinstall all of the printer drivers (if they were necessary)? Does the printer turn on, and does it print using another application like SimpleText or TextEdit? ---
**Author:** ![filmyak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@filmyak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmyak)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/3 "2003-12-31T01:38:03Z")
I second the questions. First thing we need to know is the OS, followed by did you reinstall the drivers? And if you can’t get the answers here, these are alternate sites to try: Apple has a support section online with forums you can search and online users who will respond and help you (a bit more focused on Mac tech support than Straight Dope is). Or google up some mac tech support sites, there are several around. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/4 "2003-12-31T01:57:25Z")
Thanks for the comments. I’m pretty sure he’s got 9.1, but I’m at my own computer right now so I’ll have to check when I go back. I’ve reinstalled the printer drivers. I think you’re on the right track - it is an Epson printer, and the error message did refer to Apple talk, now that you mention it. I’ll try fidgeting with the extensions the next time I’m over at his condo. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try the Apple support section. (I started here because I just assume I’ll get better insights here. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![filmyak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@filmyak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmyak)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/5 "2003-12-31T02:02:25Z")
LOL. Insights here are good ones, but Apple site has advantage in that lots of tech heads and Mac cultists (I say that with love, not scorn) are there to help. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-question-printer-not-working/221741/6 "2004-01-01T04:21:35Z")
Good luck. 🙂 And just in case you need 'em: [http://support.info.apple.com/](http://support.info.apple.com/) [http://discussions.info.apple.com/](http://discussions.info.apple.com/)