As for this whole 'reinstalling the package' idea, I can't figure out what that's supposed to mean.

It gave me the exact same error message as before except the package was now called 'Dell Laser Printer 172#91F.mpkg'. So, I had pinned my hopes on the software that came with the printer being defective and went to Dell's website to download the driver from them. I am stubbornly refusing to believe that it is impossible to use this printer with my Mac, partly because I'm just ornery that way, and partly because all of Dell's published literature (including every chapter of the printer's Owner's Manual) claims that it is compatible with Mac OS 9. If there is a problem with it, try reinstalling the package.' 'The package 'Dell Laser Printer 1720#10.mpkg' could not be opened, because it cannot be used with this version of the Mac OS or there is a problem with it. Yes, sorry for the ambiguity - I am getting the error message when I try to open/run the installer package for the printing software. If it does not work, I'd give Dell's tech support a phonecall. Unfortunately this will probably not work (I don't have such a file available to test). If this works, the package icon will be changed to that of a folder and will be opened, at which time you can peruse its contents for OS 9 drivers/software - this can be copied out of that 'folder', then placed where it belongs (probably in the Extensions folder). A contextual menu will appear if it is openable, an item 'Show Package Contents' will be in the list in the menu - select it. After copying the file to your hard drive, hold down the Control key and click-and-hold on the file. To try that requires that Contestual Menus be active. There is an ability in OS 9 to open some 'package' files. mpkg indicates it is a package designed for opening, hence use, in OSX.Ĭheck the CD or the download page carefully for another file - there may be a separate one specifically for OS 9.

Dell 1720dn laser printer system