Updated: The instructions below were originally written in 2009. I just tested on the latest OSX, Mavericks, and they work just fine. The old Samsung ML-1740 printer is still working great, after many years supporting about a dozen computers running everything from Windows 7 to Kubuntu to OSX.
Although the post is specific to ML-1740, theoretically, the steps would work for printing from any flavors of Unix systems to any Windows based GDI printers with PPD driver.
Original post from 2009:
I recently bought a Mac running OS X, and one of things to set up is to print to the Samsung ML-1740 laser printer.
ML-1740 is a “GDI” printer. GDI printers are typically inexpensive printers designed specifically for Windows operating system. If you are interested to learn more about GDI, read more about it here
The bottomline is ML-1740 can’t work with a Mac… unless you jump through some hoops.
Luckily, the solution to the problem has been around for a long time, it’s called CUPS, i.e. Common Unix Printing System. Essentially, it’s a print server that can translate a printing command from a Unix-like operating system into specific printer formats.
To print to Ml-1740 from OS X, you need a few pieces of translation software, and they are:
- Samsung ML-1740 GDI to PPD driver file which can be used by CUPS. You can download the Samsung ML-1740 CUPS driver from OpenPrinting.org. The direct download link is: http://www.openprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.php?driver=gdi&printer=Samsung-ML-1740&show=0
PPD is the common driver file extension for CUPS. Having this extension does not mean the driver is actually a postscript printer driver.
- Ghostscript for OSX. The latest is labeled for OSX Panther to Mountain Lion. Download that one from http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosx/foomatic
- Foomatic filter for OSX. Also downloaded from http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosx/foomatic
After downloading, install both the filter and Ghostscript. (Hint: right click on the installation files, and choose Open to bypass the unknown developer warning) The sequence of installation doesn’t matter as long as you end up with both, but you may get a warning during the installation that the other component isn’t there yet.
Now you are ready to set up your printer via the CUPS management console.
Snow Leopard comes with CUPS pre-installed and configured to run. The easiest way access the CUPS server is using your browser. Point the browser at this address: http://localhost:631
You may or may not see the above warning. If you see that, just open a terminal window and run the command:
cupsctl WebInterface=yes
Now go back to the CUPS page, and you should see the CUPS homepage. From there, click on Add Printers, and log in. The user name and password are your regular ones, unless your user name contains spaces or upper case letters. In that case, type in the user name all in lower cases and without any space. After you log in, you can choose Add Printer from the next screen.
You’ll go through the configuration section for the connection properties to the printer, after that you will see a button to select the driver to use to connect to the printer. Select the PPD file you just downloaded.
Now configure the connection to the printer. My printer was connected via a print router over TCP/IP and I use the LPR/LDP protocol to print to the router. The connection setting will be different for every printer. To get the setting, I went on a Windows PC currently connected to the printer, and copied its setting to use for the configuration on the Mac.
The first screen shot below is from Windows printer configuration, the second one is what gets added to the CUPS interface.
Finally click on Add Printer and you are now all set to print from your MacBook to the Samsung ML-1740 printer.
All Done!
For anyone that finds that they can not get their ML-1740 to work in Yosemite after following these instructions, you could try the script posted in the thread at https://discussions.apple.com/message/26887951#26887951 (see the part inside the green box, there is a download link for a script that you would run only AFTER doing all the steps in this article). I can’t say for sure this will work, since I have not personally upgraded to Yosemite yet, but wanted to pass it along because some of the comments in that thread suggested that it may well be the solution for at least some models of Samsung printers.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Steve! I’m with Kathy – my Samsung ML-1740 has been reliable and relatively trouble-free for so many years now, I can’t even remember how long I’ve had it. And yet, I still prefer it to my ink-gobbling newer printers. I’m also new to Mac and would never have been able to figure all this out on my own. Bless you!
When I try and point my browser to localhost631 I get this message. What should I do? Thanks.
Web Interface is Disabled
The web interface is currently disabled. Run “cupsctl WebInterface=yes” to enable it.
To Roger: You need to run the command “cupsctl WebInterface=yes” in a terminal window to enable the web interface.
To open a terminal window, go to Application –> Utilities –> Terminal
i seriously owe you a beer, this worked swimmingly :) thank you so much.
I downloaded all the drivers and got to this page:
Local Printers: Fax Printer (fax)
Bluetooth-Modem
EPSON FireWire
EPSON FAX
Discovered Network Printers:
Other Network Printers: LPD/LPR Host or Printer
Windows Printer via SAMBA
Internet Printing Protocol (http)
Internet Printing Protocol (ipp)
Backend Error Handler
AppSocket/HP JetDirect
Which option do I choose to set up my Samsung ML-1740?
To Matt: It depends on how your printer is connected, as this step is not specific to your computer OS. In other words, the connection configuration is the same for a Windows PC as it would be for your Mac. So if you have the printer already connected in your home network, you can take a look at the other computer and see how the printer is configured there.
For my own, mine happens to be connected through a Belkin print server so I selected the LPD/LPR option from the list. My connection string looks like this: URL:lpd://(ip of the print server)/(queue name)
This page is a godsend. I love my Samsung printer. It has been a great workhorse and I was very dismayed when I could not use it once I switched to Mac. I can live again! And I have you and forums like this to thank. Keep up the good advice. We appreciate you.
thanks for publishing this. I’m new to mac, so I’m not super comfortable with some of the technical stuff yet. This made it super easy. Thanks!
Great advice. I had been a linux user for 12 years and has done some typical linux-type-tinkering with CUPS when it first came into the mainstream linux environment. I completely overlooked the fact that Mac used CUPS and would not have figured out this fix without your help. Thanks!
Thanks so much! I had tried everything else and had pretty much given up! Worked perfectly!
Thank you very much for your tutorial. I was ready to throw both, new Mac Mini and the old printer out of the window.
hi steve,
just let you know, the same works for Lion too, if incase anybody has doubts
The samsung australia driver stopped working after I installed Lion. I was able to get the printer working again with these directions. Thanks.
Hi Steve,
I followed all the steps and voila! Thank you so much.
Rachel
Thanks Steve. Worked like a charm!
instead of local:631 use localhost:631
I’ve downloaded everything you’ve suggested to get the ML1740 working on 0S 10.6, but can’t figure out how to get to CUPS. When I point the browser to local:631, I get a message, can’t be found. Any suggestions?