Printing in Parallels

Using Parallels virtualization, I got this pretty scary error message: pstopdffilter/pstocupsraster failed with err number -31000. I’m almost ashamed to tell you what the solution is to get past it.

Parallels is a virtualization package for the Macintosh that primarily is used for running Microsoft Windows in a virtualized environment on OS X.

At some point you’re going to run into the problem of wanting to print something from the guest OS. Do not try to install a Windows XP print driver for the device that’s connected directly to your Apple. That’s not how it works.

You have a virtual machine. Surprise, you have a virtual printer too.

To set it up is trivial:

  1. Stop your Windows VM if it’s running.
  2. Open VM Configuration Editor (Parallels Desktop menu – Edit – Virtual Machine)
  3. Add Parallel Port Printer to the VM Configuration: click “Add” – select “Parallel Port”, hit “Next” – select “Use a printer” – select the printer you have available in the Mac OS.
  4. Make sure that you are able to print using that printer from the Mac OS side.
  5. Start Windows and try printing some document using “HP Color LaserJet 8500 PS” (it’s generic driver that’s being used for printing from the Virtual Machine to any Mac OS compatible printer).

This creates a HP Color LaserJet 8500 PS printer, which then gets redirected to the host operating system’s default printer. Printing then works normally, queuing and all.

Now, I did run into this problem using Microsoft Office on Windows XP with a HP DeskJet 6980 connected wirelessly through an Apple AirPort Extreme in bridge mode:

pstopdffilter/pstocupsraster failed with err number -31000

Here’s how I solved it.
I deleted the print queue on the host operating system, then I turned the power off and back on again on the printer, and tried again.

Seriously. I power cycled the printer. That’s all that was required. Second time through, it worked like a champ.

Big scary error message, itty-bitty solution.

NOTE: You will want to scan through your document if you’re using exotic fonts. In my case apostrophes were coming out as í.

0 thoughts on “Printing in Parallels”

  1. Many thanks for this tip I have been looking for a solution high and low and this “elementary, my dear Watson” solution did it for me.

  2. Thank you to everyone who’s leaving posts and sending me email confirming that this tip works for them. I am getting your messages!

    While this blog does engage in some serious editorial practices pertaining to which replies become public, the reason is merely so that readers can get straight to reader technical contributions without having to search for them.

    Do keep up the feedback and links, as it lets me know not only that this article helped them and is still applicable, but that you’d like other helpful articles as well.

  3. Walt,

    A simple, but brilliant solution. I wonder, how in the world is the average Parallels user supposed to figure out that you use a printer driver that you don’t have, to print to a printer that you do?

  4. Thanks for the information on the Parallels print issue. I have been working on this problem all day. Finally, after finding your write-up, I just needed to power off my HP OfficeJet Pro 7780 and it now prints as it should!

  5. power cycle of printer worked for me. Problem started after updating host OS to Snow Leopard. I had to reinstall the mac printer drivers for my hp laserjet 4l, then noticed parallels could not print. Rebooted the printer and now it’s working nicely. Thanks.

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