Remove devices from colorsync

Question

the "devices" tab in color sync shows a long list of printers that were once registered to my computer but that i no longer use.
Q: - how do i remove obsolete printers from the colorsync device list?
- where does colorsync store its preferences/cache?
thx for help!

Answer 1

Hi Michael,
I found where these are stored and how to remove them. It took a little digging in the file system but they are being stored in a hidden preference plist file. Here is where it is and how to get rid of the unneeded devices.
The file is /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist
If you are not Unix savvy the dot makes it a hidden file in Unix and it is not seen by Finder. Since the easiest way to edit plist files is Property List Editor you will need to get that tool. It is installed when you install the Mac OS development tools. If you haven't done so already it is on OS install cd or dvd.
Second you will have to make this file visible in Finder and change the file permissions so that the Property List Editor can open the file and write to the file. You do this by using the unix ln command. Open Terminal window and do the following.
cd /Library/Preferences
sudo chmod a+w .GlobalPreferences.plist
ln -s .GlobalPreferences.plist GlobalPreferences.plist
ls -l .GlobalPreferences.plist
-rw-rw-rw- 1 root admin 3602 Jan 4 16:47 .GlobalPreferences.plist
ls -l GlobalPreferences.plist
lrwxrwxr-x 1 lsherwin admin 24 Jan 4 16:42 GlobalPreferences.plist@ -> .GlobalPreferences.plist
The ln -s command makes a Unix symbolic link, like an alias. You will see all the files and hidden files in the Preferences folder. You should now see both .GlobalPreferences.plist and later in the list GlobalPreferences.plist.
Now open the Property List Editor and open /Library/Preferences/GlobalPreferences.plist. You will get a window and in the top section will be "Root". Click on the triangle in front of "Root" and then click the triangle on "ColorSyncDevices". There will be a number of devices listed under "ColorSyncDevices". The ones you are interested in all begin with "Device-prtr-nnn" where nnn is a number.
Open each one by clicking on the triangle and see if there is a "DeviceName" entry. Open that to see the name associated with the device entry. If the name is one of the defunct printers that you want to delete click the "Device-prtr-nnnnn" line that contains the name you wish to delete and then click the "Delete" button at the top.
When you are done be sure to save the changes and then you can open the ColorSync Utility and you will see that defunct printers are now gone.
Let me know how it goes.
-louie