3100cn / Mac Server - Print Server / MPF Errors

Question

I have a 3100cn on a crossplatform network I am running Mac OS X 10.4.2 Server I have the Dell drivers for the 3100 installed. Ad Agency, so we want to print to the server instead of directly to the printer from the workstations. I can print NP directly to the printer, however when attempting to print through the server, I always get the same error. The printer says 'Load MPF' I have tried designating the print to Tray 1 from the workstation, but same error appears. Server can print just fine to the printer, but any workstation attempting to print through the server ends up with the 'Load MPF' error. Clearing the error from the printer also clears the print. So no print ever comes out. Can someone please help?

shadowlynx · Answer

the load mpf error means that the tray settings in the printer are wrong. for example, it might say 'load mpf letter plain1'  that means it wants the size letter, and the type as plain1.   you will need to set the tray setting to match what the printer is asking for.

KGBKreative · Answer

The problem is, that the paper should be pulling from the tray, and not the MPF. I need to correct that issue. No matter what tray I choose on the client, if printing through the Mac OS X Server with print services on, I get a 'Load MPF' .... I could see paper type being off, but tray? If the server prints the file, it works fine, and if the client prints directly to the printer, it prints fine. Its only using the OS X server as the print server thats causing the MPF error. As stated before, this is a advertising agency and direct printing to the printer from the client is not an option every time. Some of the files can be huge and need to go through a print server.

shadowlynx · Answer

well, i'm not farmiliar with mac enough to really tell you how to correct this,  but it sounds like a communication issue in the server,  if you specify tray1 in the server, and print from the server you get tray 1, but from a client pc, you get the mpf. it would seem that the print server is defaulting all remote connections to mpf rather than tray1.  you could try downloading the postscript support from adobe that seems to fix all kinds of mac problems.  also, check the permissions in the print server. can't help much other than this, my knowledge of apple pc's is very limited

Dloki · Answer

Alright, I have a Win2K3 environment and I have the same issues. I can print fine from the server, but one of my client produce the "Load MPF" error when printing to a 5100cn. I have specified "Tray 1" on the server instead of the "Auto" default but the server insists on drawing from the MPF tray. I'm willing to bet that my issue is similar if not the same as the OP. I am, however, able to print test documents from my box. Seeing as i'm an admin there may be permission issues somewhere for that particular printer.

Also, what permission are you reffering to on the server side?

Dloki · Answer

I have just been informed that once the client has the network printer tagged it pulls the current settings form the server, but after that, the settings the client uses to print do not come from the server but instead come from the local printer settings. I didn't realize this. A coleague has suggested removing the printer from the client and reconnecting to it afterwards in an effort to reset the drivers. This did not resolve the issue however. Also, I did some testing and the problem may be related to the document being printed. The document that produced the MPF issue was the only one to my knowledge that the issue was being had with. I printed some test pages from notepad and MS-Word and both printed fine. I also tried printing a new Word document of substantial size and that printed without issue also. I have a h to make then: If the document's margins exceed the default for plain letter, the printer will apparently force the paper to come from the MPF. I deleted the pages with the out of bounds margins and the rest of the document prints fine. Note also that if any pages in the entire document have out of bounds margins that limiting the print job to pages with valid margins will fail just as if the entire document was printed. I hope there is an override that we can make use of to mitigate the check for margins, but for now this seems to be the issue. If anyone with more knowledge of the dell printers has another suggestion please feel free to correct me.

shadowlynx · Answer

certain apps have the ability to override printer settings, ms word for example.. you can have the default tray set to tray1 but if you tell word to print from the mpf, it will. if it's only one user who has this problem, i'll bet it's an application issue.

sprto01 · Answer

Hello,

Recently, I have purchased a G5 Mac with Tiger X 10.4 operating system.

I am thinking seriously of buying the 3100cn printer.

Can you do me a great favour and confirm if the printer was shipped with the right driver for this operating system and you had no problem using/connecting the printer directly to the computer?

I do not plan to connect this printer to a router or network

Thanks,

Sam.

Printers

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