Windows printing error 256

Question

Hello everyone, this is my configuration:
MacBook Pro with OS X 10.4.10 and all the updates;
a desktop with Windows XP on it;
Canon MP810 as a printer and printfab as a driver.
I have got a Windows printer and I've had the "error: 256" when I try to access the printer or simply add it to the printers' list since a short time.
Probably I have had this since a security update.
http://www.apple-discuss.com/redirect.php?fid=6&tid=11292&goto=nextoldset
There you can read another discussion about this issue: no one could figure out how to fix this.
I have already tried using the advanced button clicking with option+spacebar on "more" and then manually setting the "smb://" URL.
I tried printing from another laptop where I have Windows and it perfectly worked.
I don't wanna spend cash for buying the wireless kit to print without the printer to be connected to a switched on computer.
Do you have any suggestion to fix the problem? I haven't called Apple yet, because very likely they won't be able to help me out with this problem. I called them in the past for easier issues and they couldn't help me. ^^
These are some tries that I did to debug the problem:
[i]Jupiter:~ deviad$ echo "hello" | smbclient //TimeMachine/CanonMP810 -c "print -"timeout connecting to 208.69.32.130:445
timeout connecting to 208.69.32.130:139
Error connecting to 208.69.32.130 (Operation already in progress)
Connection to TimeMachine failed
Jupiter:~ deviad$ echo "hello" | smbclient //192.168.1.2/CanonMP810 -c "print -"
Password:
Anonymous login successful
Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Windows 5.1] Server=[Windows 2000 LAN Manager]
tree connect failed: NT_STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED
Jupiter:~ deviad$ echo "hello" | smbclient //192.168.1.2/CanonMP810 -c "print -"Password:
Anonymous login successful
Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Windows 5.1] Server=[Windows 2000 LAN Manager]
tree connect failed: NT_STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED
Jupiter:~ deviad$ echo "hello" | smbclient //pippo:[email protected]/CanonMP810 -c "print -"
timeout connecting to 208.69.32.130:445
timeout connecting to 208.69.32.130:139
Error connecting to 208.69.32.130 (Operation already in progress)
Connection to pippo:[email protected] failed[/i]
What I do not understand now is who the heck is this 208.69.32.130. Why does my computer try to connect to this host? The IP of TimeMachine is 192.168.1.2
The IP of my macbook pro on the network is 192.168.1.3.
I really don't know what 208.69.32.130 is.
Thank you very much for your help.
Regards,
Davide

Answer 1

Hi,
* IP address
About the IP address 208.69.32.130.
I did a Google search and this address shows up many times as an OpenDnsServer.
Running the network utility from my Mac gives the result below.
Whois Server Version 1.3
Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
Server Name: CSB.CSBRADIOTV.EDU
IP Address: 208.69.32.130
Registrar: EDUCAUSE
Whois Server: whois.educause.net
Referral URL: http://www.educause.edu/edudomain
* Error 256
My iMac is on the latest sw state and PrintFab towards a Canon printer is working fine for me.
Did you already do a reinstall of the PrintFab software and try to setup the printer from scratch?
I found a link to a page describing a workaround for the 256 error.
http://www.erikjheels.com/2007-03-10-how-to-print-os-x-to-xp.html
/rob
 iMac 20", C2D 2.16GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.10)   RAM 2 GB, VRAM 256MB, 2:nd Monitor, Ext DVD & FW drive, USB sound