Filemaker 9.0v3 crashes on print window

[Greg W]

This problem started with my db about a month ago. Whenever I go to the print, and move my mouse to change the print options, the pinwheel will spin for a couple of seconds, then Filemaker crashes. I've noticed that if I don't use the mouse and change the print options using the keyboard, it doesn't crash. This problem has occurred on both Intel iMacs and G5's, and has happened with databases that are shared on a server and those that are unshared and are only on my iMac. I've run Disk Utility, restarted the computer, even reinstalled Filemaker, and nothing has worked. Any assistance for this annoying problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Greg

[Vaughan]

Does the file use an event scripting plugin?

I was reading yesterday about a crashing bug in EventScript when the a field calculation activates the plug-in to trigger a script while the layout is being printed.

[Greg W]

No, there are no plugins installed

[Vaughan]

Check all clients are running FMP 9.0v3.

Check the OS is patched, there were some bugs in Leopard that affected FMP.

Did anything change a couple of months ago? Software updates, new printer, network...?

[Greg W]

Everything is up to date on the iMacs.

Well now we've narrowed the problem down. It was freezing when my default printer was set to the LaserJet hooked up via USB to my computer. I changed the default printer to our office network printer and the problem went away, even if I switched to the LaserJet after the Print window comes up.

I removed the printer and reinstalled the most updated driver and reinstalled the printer to my computer, but still the same problem if it's set as my default printer. The printer is a LaserJet P1505, the other computer that was having problems is using a LaserJet 1022N.

[Greg W]

I haven't been able to find a fix for this. It seems that when using Mac OS X 10.5, and the default printer is an HP Laserjet, Filemaker crashes when the print window comes up. Any ideas on a solution?

[Vaughan]

Look for a printer driver update. Also try using the printer with the generic postscript driver and see what happens.

[guessmaster]

I am having the same problem printing since I started using a lasejet P1505 and P1600.

I am using the latest drivers and it happens with FM Pro advanced 8.5 and 9.3 and mac G5 and Intel.

Anybody has a workaround?

Sometimes it works by producing a PDF and then printing the PDF, but lately is worse.

[rain_girl]

Ditto. I am having the same problem with my HP1006. As soon as I make it default, filemaker crashes. Is there some corrupted file that can be deleted? I have the newest driver. I am running OSX 10.5.5 and filemaker 9.0v3

[Greg W]

I deleted the preference files for Filemaker but that didn't do anything.

Two workarounds have worked for me. The easiest thing is just to change the default printer. If you only have one printer set up, then maybe add a fake IP printer by putting in a local address that isn't in use, and set that as the default.

The other workaround which I find very strange is that Filemaker will not crash if you use the keyboard to set the print settings and pushing return to start printing. It won't crash if I avoid moving the mouse at all when the print window is up.

[guessmaster]

This is the answer I had from HP. I haven't tried this yet. Ill keep you posted.

When uninstalling the HP LaserJet P1005, P1006, P1505, and P1505n Printers, you must perform a manual uninstall. (There is no uninstall contained in the Install package found on the software CD or at HP.com.)

Manually uninstall the following:

/Library/Printers/hp/laserjet/hp 1006 folder

/Library/Receipts/hp LaserJet 1000/1500.pkg

/Library/Frameworks/libZJBIG.dylib (See the following note.)

NOTE: If an HP Color LaserJet 2600n or a LJ 1022 is also installed, the file named /Library/Frameworks/libZJBIG.dylib is a shared file. Do not uninstall this file when the HP Color LaserJet 2600n or HP LaserJet 1022 and the P1005, P1006, P1505, or P1505n are both installed on the same system.

Reinstall the software using the driver that was downloaded.

After installing the software then,

Click on the apple icon

Click on system preferences

Click on print and fax

Select the printer

Click on the (-) minus

Once gone then restart the computer

Once the computer has restarted try printing.

For the printer connected via ethernet connection then,

Click on the apple icon

Click on system preferences

Click on print and fax

Select the printer

Click on the (-) minus

Once gone then click on the (+) plus

Select the printer

Add

Try printing

[guessmaster]

I have now re-installed the printer drivers as directed. The problem still persists and now has crashed and corrupted my database.

I followed previous advice and use the keyboard input when printing and this works but not all the time.

I seem to remember that the problems started when I installed an OSX security update.

I think somebody should listen and either FM or Apple or HP patch this problem.

Is there anybody there?

[Greg W]

I would suggest trying one of the workarounds that I posted previously.

The new version of Filemaker will probably be released within 4 months, so I doubt they are devoting many resources to supporting FM 9.

[guessmaster]

I have tried everything and the problem persists. It only happens with File Maker. I recently read the same problem also happens with Vista and Lasejet.

I understand FM is busy with the new version but this is an urgent problem that is affecting the work of many people. It is difficult to instruct multiple users not to use the mouse, they forget and the database crashes.

[Fancytricks]

SOLVED: This is linked to Adobe Creative Suite.. i know WTF!

We have had this issue with about 10 clients with this same issue for a long time, and doing some testing we have found that this is linked to an Adobe preference. We found this to be completely random, where it would be one computer in an office which would have this issue.

I will come back to you on Monday with the exact path of this pref file, as we deleted them all. But a heads up that we are all looking in the wrong place for this solution.

[Fancytricks]

Here is the solution as promised!

Issue: during the creation of PDF files on OS X, filemaker becomes unresponsive and then crashes.

Cause: The Adobe font preferences have been corrupted.

Resolution: Navigate to /User/username/Library/Application Support/Adobe/TypeSPT

delete the file AdobeFnt##.lst