Clean Install on Powermac 7500/100...oh my...

Running OS 7.5.5 on a Powermac7500/100

As a newbie, I've entered uncharted waters and freely admit to being well
over my head.

Earlier today, I elected to update a driver for my Laser printer via my hp
pavilion PC.Unfortunately, my PowerMac7500 will no longer print...(before
the update both computers were printing fine.Thankfully, documents from my
PC are still printing fine).

Feeling frustrated, by my ignorance in what I had done, I compounded my
problem by performing a "clean install" on my Mac.

Please note: I've never done a clean install before, and only have a vague
understanding of what a clean install will ultimately do... but that didn't
stop me.... as the concept of starting over, somehow just sounded right.

Boy, was I mistaken... Because as of this writing I cannot print from my Mac
and I have gained a new icon titled: "Untitled" setting on my desktop. Of
course I clicked on it, and discovered that it contains active system
software on my computer (or so the error message read, when I tried to
dispose of it in the trash).

Even so, there still remained an ember of hope that I'd somehow corrected
my printing problem.... and thereby, selected "Chooser" from under the Apple
Logo. This revelation was equally disappointing as nothing appeared in the
right-hand side of the opened Chooser box.

I've spent wasted countless hours trying to determine how to print a
document from my Mac again, and have ended up with doubled trouble and
confusion for my effort. As my PowerMac now has applications and software
located under the "Apple" logo and a ton of system software locate within
the desktop icon titled: "Untitled."

I have absolutely no idea as to what to do with this icon and all it
contains..nor do I have a clue as to what steps need to take be taken to
remedy this mess.

Therefore, I'm relying on the kindness of tech. savvy strangers or anyone
who has the patience to explain: what in the heck can I do to remedy this
problem? Because the water's gettin' high and I'm going down for the second
time.

If you can... toss me a life preserver by keeping any instructions as
non-tech as possible...I sure appreciate any help.

Thanks again.

mac1 <> wrote:

> Running OS 7.5.5 on a Powermac7500/100
>
> As a newbie, I've entered uncharted waters and freely admit to being well
> over my head.
>
> Earlier today, I elected to update a driver for my Laser printer via my hp
> pavilion PC.Unfortunately, my PowerMac7500 will no longer print...(before
> the update both computers were printing fine.Thankfully, documents from my
> PC are still printing fine).
>
> Feeling frustrated, by my ignorance in what I had done, I compounded my
> problem by performing a "clean install" on my Mac.
>
> Please note: I've never done a clean install before, and only have a vague
> understanding of what a clean install will ultimately do... but that didn't
> stop me.... as the concept of starting over, somehow just sounded right.

What a clean install does is create a new system folder, with a fresh
install of the system. That's a good thing. It means that any corrupted
files in your old system folder won't bother you.

It also means that whatever supplementary software you had installed
won't be in the new system folder - like a 3rd party printer driver (if
it's the Apple LaserWriter driver you need, I can't explain why it
doesn't appear in your chooser, though you might check your settings on
the system install to make sure that that file is being installed). I
have no experience with the driver you're using, but it sounds like what
needs to happen next is that you need to re-install the printer driver
into the new system. I'm guessing that this is all it will take to be
able to print again. If you have other supplementary software, I'd add
it back a little at a time to make sure that nothing is causing a
conflict with your system software. By adding it back slowly, it makes
it easier to identify apps that are giving you a problem.

> Boy, was I mistaken... Because as of this writing I cannot print from my Mac
> and I have gained a new icon titled: "Untitled" setting on my desktop. Of
> course I clicked on it, and discovered that it contains active system
> software on my computer (or so the error message read, when I tried to
> dispose of it in the trash).
>
> Even so, there still remained an ember of hope that I'd somehow corrected
> my printing problem.... and thereby, selected "Chooser" from under the Apple
> Logo. This revelation was equally disappointing as nothing appeared in the
> right-hand side of the opened Chooser box.
>
> I've spent wasted countless hours trying to determine how to print a
> document from my Mac again, and have ended up with doubled trouble and
> confusion for my effort. As my PowerMac now has applications and software
> located under the "Apple" logo and a ton of system software locate within
> the desktop icon titled: "Untitled."
>
> I have absolutely no idea as to what to do with this icon and all it
> contains..nor do I have a clue as to what steps need to take be taken to
> remedy this mess.

Hmm... been a while since I've dealt with 7.5.5, and I don't really
remember it leaving an untitled folder. I presume this is your old
system files from the previous install. If so, they are kept in the
folder so that if you need old preference or other auxiliary files,
they're still present on your desktop rather than deleted. An example of
the kinds of files you might need would include files that include
registration information for a piece of software. Rather than
reinstalling the software, you can often get away with dragging the
preference file or what have you into the new system folder. But you
don't want to do this too often, or you just negate the advantage of
doing a clean install.

Sorry about all of your trouble. I think you're actually pretty close to
where you want to be.

"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:140520060836003952%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
> In article <lAy9g.31443$>, mac1
> <> wrote:
>
>> I have absolutely no idea as to what to do with this icon and all it
>> contains..nor do I have a clue as to what steps need to take be taken to
>> remedy this mess.
>
>
> Are you trolling, or genuinely new to computers?
>
> The "icon" represents your computer's hard disk. It's where everything
> the computer needs to run is.
>
> I suggest you go to your local library and find a book about running a
> Mac computer. Once you've read it you'll have some clue about what
> questions to ask here to get real help.

I assure you I'm not trolling....even though I understand why you asked.
Because as I reread my post...it cause me to think: Boy this scenario sound
awfully lame.
Having said that....I will take you advise and try and find some reading
material on the Mac.

In the meantime I appreciate your input.

In article <lAy9g.31443$> mac1,
writes:
>Even so, there still remained an ember of hope that I'd somehow corrected
>my printing problem.... and thereby, selected "Chooser" from under the Apple
>Logo. This revelation was equally disappointing as nothing appeared in the
>right-hand side of the opened Chooser box.

What was in the left-hand side? You should see things like Appleshare and
Laserwriter. Any printer drivers you have installed will appear here. You
have to click on them and then a list of compatible printers found
(connected) will appear on the right. Apple's Laserwriter or Laserwriter
8 driver seems to work with any laser printer I've ever used.
If the printer is not appearing on the right, then it is not compatible
with the chosen driver or there is a network connection problem. Check
you have set the correct network for your printer in the Appletalk
control panel.... select the port in the pop-up menu that the printer is
connected to. Also check Appeltalk is switched on (click the options
button).

G.

In article <lAy9g.31443$>, mac1
<> wrote:

> Running OS 7.5.5 on a Powermac7500/100
>
> As a newbie, I've entered uncharted waters and freely admit to being well
> over my head.
>
> Earlier today, I elected to update a driver for my Laser printer via my hp
> pavilion PC.Unfortunately, my PowerMac7500 will no longer print...(before
> the update both computers were printing fine.Thankfully, documents from my
> PC are still printing fine).
>
> Feeling frustrated, by my ignorance in what I had done, I compounded my
> problem by performing a "clean install" on my Mac.
>
> Please note: I've never done a clean install before, and only have a vague
> understanding of what a clean install will ultimately do... but that didn't
> stop me.... as the concept of starting over, somehow just sounded right.
>
> Boy, was I mistaken... Because as of this writing I cannot print from my Mac
> and I have gained a new icon titled: "Untitled" setting on my desktop. Of
> course I clicked on it, and discovered that it contains active system
> software on my computer (or so the error message read, when I tried to
> dispose of it in the trash).

Untitled is the icon for your hard drive. You can click on the title
and rename it anytime you wish.

If you open the hard drive you should see a "System Folder" and a
"Previous System Folder". The latter is totally inactive but may well
contain drivers, etc., that you want to transfer to your new system
folder when you are sure the basic system is working.

>
> Even so, there still remained an ember of hope that I'd somehow corrected
> my printing problem.... and thereby, selected "Chooser" from under the Apple
> Logo. This revelation was equally disappointing as nothing appeared in the
> right-hand side of the opened Chooser box.

When you install a new system, by default Appletalk is on and I believe
that it hogs the printer port rather than the modem port. Try opening
the Appletalk control panel (should be in the "Control Panel" item
under the Apple menu at the extreme left of the Finder's menu - you can
also get to it by looking in the "Control Panels" folder in the "System
Folder"). Turn Appletalk off and restart - check again for the
Chooser.

Also - I can't remember exactly how 7.5 worked. It may be that the
printer must be attached (or visible in a network) for the Chooser to
be seen, but I don't think so.

Install the old printer driver on the Mac and try again to print.

<snip paragraphs about the hard drive icon "Untitled">

> Therefore, I'm relying on the kindness of tech. savvy strangers or anyone
> who has the patience to explain: what in the heck can I do to remedy this
> problem? Because the water's gettin' high and I'm going down for the second
> time.

You can toss your "Previous System Folder" in the trash when you are
sure you don't want it anymore.

If there is a library near you that might have older Mac books, you
might try that instead of buying a book. Mac OS 7.5 is old enough that
new books are going to have very little about it. Older books that
were very good are "Mac Secrets" by David Pogue and The Macintosh Bible
or The Mac Almanac, both edited by Sharon Aker. The last was issued
just after 7.5 was released and would probably be the best of the Aker
books. The Pogue books have always been my personal preference.

You might also check out lowendmacs.com.

Cathy

--
"there's a dance or two in the old dame yet." - mehitabel

C.Stevenson, M.D.

>
> What does this mean? Did you download a file using the HP and then
> transfer it to the Mac? Please describe exactly what you did. In
> general, downloading Mac files on Windows and then moving them to Mac
> doesn'y work unless you're moving compressed files like .sit or .zip.

Prior to experiencing my printing problems...I need to restate that I have
used my Mac with my HP LaserWriter 5mp successfully for a number of years.

Yet, after reading an article about updating drivers I decided that since my
PC is only a few years old (compared to my 10 year old 7500 PowerMac) that I
should probably update the driver. I thought this would increase the speed
in which my PC communicates with the printer and therefore expedite the
printing process.

Therefore, using my PC, I went online to the Hewlett Packard website and
allowed the site to scan my PC for a newer driver. The scan reported that an
updated driver was available for my PC. I downloaded the driver (for my HP
LaserWriter 5mp printer).

And so, after the download, I printed a document I needed using my PC and
everything was fine.
I never considered the fact that updating the driver would effect my Mac.
Again, it was a prime example of me knowing just enough to get myself in
trouble... mixed with sheer ignorance.

Anyway, several days later I needed to print a document from my Mac and
that's when I discovered- the problem... I couldn't print. When I tried to
print a document I received a message that read:"There is a printing
problem.. Please choose "PrintMonitor" from the Application menu or click
the "PrintMonitor window." I click the "OK" button.

And went up to finder and selected "PrintMonitor." An error message soon
appeared and it read: "The document could not be printed because "" printer
could not be found. Try Again?" I clicked on the "TRY AGAIN" button. Nothing
happened except that the error message reappeared.

That's when I realized that my updated driver had caused a problem with my
Mac. I thought perhaps a "clean install" would remedy the problem. Afterward
I did and "Easy Install" using the "Apple Macintosh CD that came with the
computer.....and then reinstalled the HP LaserWriter's Printer Software for
the Mac.

However, now when I go to "Chooser" I see the following Icons on the left
hand side of the Chooser box: .Appleshare, Color SW 24oo, Color SW Pro, HP
Laser Jet, ImageWriter, LaserWriter, LaserWriter300 LaserWriter 8
StyleWriter 1200.

When I click on: AppleShare, HP Laser Jet, LaserWRiter or Laser writer 8,
nothing shows up in the right hand side of the "Chooser" box. The "Setup"
button is dimmed. Note: AppleTalk active button is selected.

And that's everything up to the minute. Just for clarity sake, I never
downloaded a new driver to the Mac the download was accomplished using the
PC.

What a saga....

"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:140520061719087196%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
>
> In article <ruO9g.23381$>, mac1
> <> wrote:
>
>> And that's everything up to the minute. Just for clarity sake, I never
>> downloaded a new driver to the Mac the download was accomplished using
>> the
>> PC.
>
> So.. You got a printing error and decided to reinstall your entire OS
> as a result?
>
> That's stupid.

Can't argue with your finding.

"mac1" <> writes:


> .....and then reinstalled the HP LaserWriter's Printer Software for
> the Mac.
>

Did you check the HP website for an update to this?

--
Bill Mitchell
Dept of Mathematics, The University of Florida
PO Box 118105, Gainesville, FL 32611--8105
(352) 392-0281 x284

"William Mitchell" <> wrote in message
news:...
> "mac1" <> writes:
>
>
>> .....and then reinstalled the HP LaserWriter's Printer Software for
>> the Mac.
>>
>
> Did you check the HP website for an update to this?
>
No, but I will.

mac1 <> wrote:

> >
> > What does this mean? Did you download a file using the HP and then
> > transfer it to the Mac? Please describe exactly what you did. In
> > general, downloading Mac files on Windows and then moving them to Mac
> > doesn'y work unless you're moving compressed files like .sit or .zip.
>
> Prior to experiencing my printing problems...I need to restate that I have
> used my Mac with my HP LaserWriter 5mp successfully for a number of years.
>
> Yet, after reading an article about updating drivers I decided that since my
> PC is only a few years old (compared to my 10 year old 7500 PowerMac) that I
> should probably update the driver. I thought this would increase the speed
> in which my PC communicates with the printer and therefore expedite the
> printing process.
>
> Therefore, using my PC, I went online to the Hewlett Packard website and
> allowed the site to scan my PC for a newer driver. The scan reported that an
> updated driver was available for my PC. I downloaded the driver (for my HP
> LaserWriter 5mp printer).
>
> And so, after the download, I printed a document I needed using my PC and
> everything was fine.
> I never considered the fact that updating the driver would effect my Mac.
> Again, it was a prime example of me knowing just enough to get myself in
> trouble... mixed with sheer ignorance.
>
> Anyway, several days later I needed to print a document from my Mac and
> that's when I discovered- the problem... I couldn't print. When I tried to
> print a document I received a message that read:"There is a printing
> problem.. Please choose "PrintMonitor" from the Application menu or click
> the "PrintMonitor window." I click the "OK" button.
>
> And went up to finder and selected "PrintMonitor." An error message soon
> appeared and it read: "The document could not be printed because "" printer
> could not be found. Try Again?" I clicked on the "TRY AGAIN" button. Nothing
> happened except that the error message reappeared.
>
> That's when I realized that my updated driver had caused a problem with my
> Mac. I thought perhaps a "clean install" would remedy the problem. Afterward
> I did and "Easy Install" using the "Apple Macintosh CD that came with the
> computer.....and then reinstalled the HP LaserWriter's Printer Software for
> the Mac.

Okay, this is a bit confusing to me. It sounds like you're saying that
you downloaded an updated driver to your PC, but think it caused a
problem on your Mac. If this is the case, I don't know why that would
be, but it wouldn't have been a problem with your Mac. So you were
probably making the adjustment on the wrong computer.

> However, now when I go to "Chooser" I see the following Icons on the left
> hand side of the Chooser box: .Appleshare, Color SW 24oo, Color SW Pro, HP
> Laser Jet, ImageWriter, LaserWriter, LaserWriter300 LaserWriter 8
> StyleWriter 1200.
>
> When I click on: AppleShare, HP Laser Jet, LaserWRiter or Laser writer 8,
> nothing shows up in the right hand side of the "Chooser" box. The "Setup"
> button is dimmed. Note: AppleTalk active button is selected.
>
> And that's everything up to the minute. Just for clarity sake, I never
> downloaded a new driver to the Mac the download was accomplished using the
> PC.
>
> What a saga....

Do you still have a copy of the old Mac driver for that printer
somewhere? If so, that's what you want to re-install on your Mac. If you
don't, you can also look for the old one in your old System Folder (in
the extensions folder?). If you find it, you can drag it to the new
System Folder, which should drop it off in the (new) extensions folder.

I don't know if I can be of more help than that. As long as you have a
copy of that old driver somewhere, you're really not that far from being
able to print. If, for some reason, the old driver has really been lost,
you could have a problem. If the driver that you're installing on your
Mac was a recent download from HP, I'm guessing it won't support System
7.5.5.