PPT4: How to Select a PPD Using the LaserWriter 8.x Driver
  
PSS ID Number: Q141846
Article last modified on 07-08-1998
 
MACINTOSH:3.0,3.0b,4.0,98
 
MACINTOSH
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft PowerPoint for Macintosh, version 4.0
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SUMMARY
=======
 
When you troubleshoot printing problems, it is good practice to switch to a
Generic PPD (PostScript Printer Description) file or to print using the PPD
designed for your printer. 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 using the LaserWriter 8 driver
series.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
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 will be prompted to select a
PPD file. PPD files are usually located in the Extensions Folder within
the System Folder. The PPD folder is normally called Printer Descriptions.
 
If a PPD file is already selected you should see a dialog box that
says something similar to:
 
   Current Printer Description File (PPD) Selected:
   The name of PPD file displayed within quotation marks.
 
If you do not have a PPD selected, you should see a dialog box 
with the following information:
 
   Setting up <Name of printer here>.
 
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
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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.
 
REFERENCES
==========
 
LaserWriter 8.2 ReadMe file
LaserWriter 8.3 ReadMe file
 
Additional query words: 4.00 macsys tshoot
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Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbprint
Version           : MACINTOSH:3.0,3.0b,4.0,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Hardware          : MAC
Issue type        : kbhowto
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.