Samsung ML-1520 on OS X 10.12 (Mac OS Sierra)

hardware

Published on: 01.02.2018

I do not like doing upgrades

Especially operating system (OS) upgrades.

The reason, why I do not like them, is because usually after update something is not working as before or even not working at all.

The feature from software is changed, drivers not available anymore, software is not working with a new OS, sometimes new OS is slower than old one, etc.

The only reason why I do upgrade is if I have to (some feature is only working on new OS) or have new hardware (then anyway I need to install OS so I can try the last version).

Regularly I upgrade only iPhone and iPad because I do not use it for work, more for fun (if some software is not working anymore I can live without it).

I bought new SSD

For my 7 years old computer, I decided to upgrade my HDD to SDD because it was the bottleneck.

Upgrade will be done from OS X 10.9 to OS X 10.12.

At that time 10.13 was available as a beta.

But I will not use the beta if I do not have to.

When I did iPhone development with XCode I usually had to use newest OS X to have access to the last SDK.

Always test before upgrade

Luckily I have one Mac Mini, so I decided to do a test installation on it first.

So that I am sure that all software that I use is working fine before I upgrade my main computer.

The biggest problem I had with my Samsung ML-1520 laser printer.

I do remember that even on OS X 10.9 it was also not working by default, but with http://guigo.us/mac/splix/ I manage to have it working.

On OS X 10.12 http://guigo.us/mac/splix/ are still needed, but will not get the job done.

After 2 hours, I manage to have it working on OS X 10.12 (Mac OS Sierra) but it was not easy.

652 WLXKJ USB network server

I have Samsung ML-1520 connected to 652 WLXKJ USB network server so that I can share Samsung ML-1520 as a network printer.

For last 7 years, 652 WLXKJ is working with no problems.

There is no official support for it (I do not even know who made this thing), and you have to figure things on your own (like to add USB stick to it, if you want to use it as network print server).

652 WLXKJ USB server
652 WLXKJ USB network server working with 15 years old USB stick

Samsung ML-1520 on OS X 10.12 (Mac OS Sierra)

The only way how I have found that Samsung ML-1520 laser printer can work with OS X 10.12 (Mac OS Sierra), is to add a PPD (Postscript Printer Description) file manually but http://guigo.us/mac/splix/ must also be installed.

Luckily, PPD file is available at SpliX website, download the source code, unzip it, ml1520.ppd is inside splix-2.0.0/ppd.

There is also ml1520fr.ppd (French language) and ml1520pt.ppd (Portuguese Brazil language), .

After this printing of PDF and DOC documents did work (and I have only tested with PDF and DOC documents).

Steps for installing Samsung ML-1520 on OS X 10.12 (Mac OS Sierra)

Install Splix-2.0.0.mpkg

Splix-2.0.0.mpkg can be downloades from http://guigo.us/mac/splix/ as Splix-2.0.0.zip, unzip it and install it.

You will have the error message The installation failed but this is fine, you need to have, I know it is strange.

the error message The installation failed after installing Splix-2.0.0.mpkg, but this is fine

This is an important step, if you do to it, later when you install Samsung ML-1520 you will have The software for the printer was installed incorrectly. Please reinstall the software from the manufacturer error message and Samsung ML-1520 will not work.

error if Splix-2.0.0.mpkg is nto installed

Add ml1520pt.ppd Postscript Printer Description for Samsung ML-1520

all information from Samsung ML-1520

Add Samsung ML-1520 in System Preference... inside Printers & Scanners
Most important is to in Use: select Other... and then Open file ml1520pt.ppd, remeber you need to download it from SpliX website.

Address:, Protocol and Queue: are specific in my setup because I am using it with 652 WLXKJ USB network server.

When all is finished, Samsung ML-1520 is working fine.

Samsung ML-1520 working fine

This is why I do not like upgrades.

Hopefully, this will be helpful to somebody.

10 comments

  2. Hello Sasa Buklijas

    Thank you for your guidance on this matter. I have followed your instruction and find a number of files with ml1520 in their names. I am not sure how to activate these and which one to select, should selection be required.

    Another point is that the file landed in my current document folder`; should it be moved to ‘Downloads’ or ‘Applications’? Would that make any difference?

    Reply

  3. Well, it took some time to perform, as I was quite nervous never having done much with High Sierra, so I kept your guide open, and your encouragement in mind, and it worked beautifully! Thank you so much. I have shared it on social media to help others avoid having to buy new kit.

    Reply

  4. Brilliant advice. When you have downloaded the program, ensure you store it in “downloads”. Disengage your printer and remove it from the printer list completely. Open up and install the program. Also go to the “ppd`’ sub-section of the Splix unzip and select your printer. eg ML1520.ppd

    Now install your printer, and under “Using” in the printer install interface, select Splix *and* the ppd file. The program ensures that ppd precedes Splix in its listing.
    Then print a test page – it might be better to turn printer off and on.

    Reply

  5. Thnax mate… in the fact, this works for any of those Splix supported printers, this solved my trouble with Xerox Phaser… Cheers mate… Good job.

    Reply

    1. > Have you found any investigation why installation of Splix-2.0.0.mpkg fails but application is working?

      I have no idea, for me, it is important that it is working.

      Thanks for the link.

      Reply

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