I have recently added two Oce network multifunction printers (they also can fax, scan, scan with eCopy, scan to e-mail) to my small TCP/IP gigabit LAN in my office. The models are CM3522 and VarioLink 5522c. The printer drivers are labeled 'Generic 35C-4 PS' and 'Generic 45C-3 PS'. Both are represented to be compatible with Mac OS 10, but there is no version specific to 10.6. The 35C-4 that I currently have installed is represented to be for 10.3 and 10.4, while the 45C-3 is represented to be for 10.5. Whenever I try to print to the 45C machine from Mail, Mail crashes before the printer dialog even appears. However, when I try to print to the 45C machine from Word or Acrobat, there is no problem. The driver makes available all of the functionality of the printer. The 35C driver represented as working with 10.5 crashed everything when I tried to print, but since I downgraded to the 10.3/10.4 version of the 35C driver, I can print from Mail and other applications, but all of the options for output, tray, etc., are missing from the dialog.
I have looked at a number of other threads describing similar problems with similar drivers (they appear to have originated with Konica Minolta, with hybrid versions having been written for Oce). Those threads discussed workarounds involving deleting PDE files and changing ownership of the driver folder within the Library/Printers/KonicaMinolta folder. However, NONE OF THESE THREADS MENTIONED THE DRIVER WORKING WITH MICROSOFT WORD AND ACROBAT, BUT CRASHING MAIL. I would appreciate any insight that might be available out there to explain this anomaly, i.e., the driver works with Snow Leopard with Microsoft Word and Acrobat but crashes Mail. (I would also love a hint on how to get the 10.5 version of the 35C driver to work, but would be satisfied if I could get the 45C to work with Mail.)
I have a number of 10.5 and lower machines on my LAN that I would like to upgrade, but really can't until I get this driver situation resolved. I have communicated with the printer manufacturer and have been promised that 'new drivers are being worked on' but that no issue date can be promised. On the other hand, I have scoured the web for further clues and have found sites making clear the Konica Minolta has no intention of EVER upgrading the generic 45C and 35C drivers to be compatible with Snow Leopard.