MacOFF: How to Select a PPD Using the LaserWriter 8.x Driver

When you troubleshoot printing problems, it is good practice to use the PPD (PostScript Printer Description) designed for your printer, or to switch to a Generic PPD file. Printing problems can result from having an incorrect PPD file selected. Use the steps in the "More Information" section of this article to select a PPD for the LaserWriter 8 driver series.

The PPD was first introduced with the LaserWriter 8.0 driver version. PPD files contain information about specific features of your printer. For example, PPD files describe the paper handling capabilities: the number of paper trays, their capacity, and the paper sizes they handle.

The LaserWriter drivers are generic by design and should work correctly with all PostScript printers. To access features of your printer not described within the Generic PPD, select a PPD that has been designed specifically for your printer. You may notice after selecting a PPD that different printing options are available in the Page Setup and Print dialog boxes.

The process you use to select a PPD will vary depending on the version of the LaserWriter driver you are using. The remainder of this article describes how to modify your current PPD selection.

LaserWriter 8 Series

NOTE: This section does not apply to all LaserWriter 8 series drivers (see the "LaserWriter 8.1.1" section later in this article).

1. On the Apple menu, click Chooser.
2. Select the LaserWriter 8 driver icon.
3. Select your printer from the Select a PostScript Printer dialog box, located on the right side of the Chooser.
4. Click the Setup button.

If the correct PPD is not found, you are prompted to select a PPD file. PPD files are usually located in the Extensions Folder within the System Folder. The PPD folder is usually called Printer Descriptions.

If a PPD file is already selected you should see a dialog box that says something similar to: If you do not have a PPD selected, you should see a dialog box with the following information: This procedure causes the LaserWriter driver to query the printer for its characteristics, and then associates a PPD with the printer.

To select the Generic PPD (the internal driver defaults), click the Select PPD button. In the resulting dialog box, click Use Generic.

LaserWriter 8.1.1

To switch to a Generic PPD:

1. Click the Setup button.
2. Click the More Choices button if available. (This button may not be available.)
3. Click the Select PPD button.
4. Click Use Generic. This button is located just above the Select button in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
5. Click OK to finalize the PPD selection.

The LaserWriter driver discussed here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this products' performance or reliability.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Or, refer to the following files: