Hello, Any/Every...

SET UP A (USB) PRINTER ON LINUX (WHICH HAS NO CUPS INSTALLED)


[BACKGROUND]

I want to ask a question here - to which I have already found the answer.

In my case, since I had never installed CUPS, I started with that, and then the printer modules. Thereupon I thought I had set up everything I needed but when I tried printing a text test (ie B/W) only blank pages came out. So I started questioning the whole process back to what was installed in the first place.

I know asking a question for which there is already an answer might sound strange, but I do so (ie ask it) because the solution that I discovered, along with others' contributions herein (hopefully), may one day serve - in toto, as a "theme" - to help people get a printer system up and running under Linux.

In two days time I will provide my solution ie AFTER any suggested techniques. [Of course the "solution" you provide ought be a genuine attempt - that is, an attempt YOU MIGHT USE to get a printer installation up and running.] I would not be adverse to an exceptional tried-n-true link being used instead (but they go out of date, or fail).

My intention here is that you get ONE shot to make it happen. The one shot might be:- a particular sequence of steps; or a single package install; or a re-install; a correction in my approach; a download-&-config; an excellent link; or whatever. [I'd rather steer clear of CLI, and keep it all at DE (Desktop Environment), if possible - but CLI is not necessarily excluded. In fact, CLI "testing" commands might be useful anyway.]


[METHODOLOGY]

Your challenge is to create a working instruction sequence of an install-from-scratch printer installation:- install any files/modules for the distro to enable printing; then install some printer (ie drivers, support files, etc); and ensuring in the aforementioned there is a printer/printing manager; include anything else you think necessary (eg ink support; network); and then apply proven testing.

In this methodology I will review the (ie any) subsequent posts about every two hours (of my wake-time), in case of pertinent "request" - but your effort shouldn't need "enquiry". It's YOUR best shot at step(s) in Linux to get a printer system installed and printing.

In 24 hours (tomorrow) I will add another bit to my story - which will help clarify what happened in my "journey"** to conclusion. [**In modern parlance we are all on a "journey" - I pass you; you pass me; you stare; I stare back; we exchange positive comment (or an arrogant sneer, if you have problems); we "journey" on. ]

A day after that (ie in two days from now) I will post my actual result.

Your instruction set should be kept short (to be helpful). (I suppose one link to some excellent guidance could be used instead.) My effort is explained extensively because I want to demonstrate (in 2 days) how easy it should have been.

I hope you will - eventually - appreciate "WHY" I wanted to do mine this way.



[MY TASK (YOURS IS FOR YOUR SETUP)...]

OK...

1.
I had to set up the printer under Antix-16 (a non-systemd distro version), under "xfce" desktop. [I don't remember the distro install exactly but without needing the printer back then, I would have excluded CUPS install and/or printer services at the time.] So start with CUPS (or similar).

2.
My printer is an Epson Stylus CX-4700, a multifunction ink-jet. There is no reason for that choice. I had picked it up second-hand several years ago, and had installed and used it - flawlessly - under Win2000. [I have access to another 2nd-hand HP printer that I could have used - but I would go that way only if the Epson setup had failed.]

3.
The Epson printer had not been used in about 12 to 18 months, and was switched off all that time.

4.
This was the first time that I had attempted to set up a printer under Linux.

5.
All my effort was at GUI level; I generally steer clear of CLI (command line). So in Linux GUI I thought that (as with Win2000) you connect the printer, setup a driver, then start printing.


[TIPS, AND COMMENTS ABOUT MY PROCESS]

(i)
In SUBSEQUENT (Internet) reading I found that Linux (ie the bulk of the Movement) seems to have recently shied away from non-free drivers for printers - apparently to reduce legal risk (or whatever). SO, there is a "HP" setup/config that is generally provided in Linux because it has HP backing. The implication is that HP printing on Linux is easy. [That's my understanding. If I am a little bit wrong on that - let it go (in this thread). This thread is about "solution". If I am completely wrong then - in a brief post - adjust it.]

(ii)
There are some printer setup solutions on the Net but I won't say which one might have helped me - so still give this thread your best shot now.

(iii)
I use xfce desktop - but I have installed all my Linuckes without a printer attached, and - from memory - without CUPS installed (if optioned at the time), or without any CUPS services running (if possible).

(iv)
In my Antix-16(xfce) desktop there was no "Manage/Install/Setup Printers" in any menu, or within any desktop-settings manager.

(v)
My approach to successful printing (ie installation-&-setup) was:-
(a.) connect and fire up the printer;
(b.) open Synaptics Pkg Mgr;
(c.) install any CUPS feature that might be relevant;
(d.) ensure any "Epson" thingies were also included.
(e.) commence printing (whether testing or actual)


(vi)
After installation I expected to see an applet(?) in my panel (ie atop screen). There was none. (There remains nothing showing even now.)

(vii)
Several times over my long attempt I had re-booted, re-logged-in, shutdown, started, etc.

(vii)
Overall I spent about a dozen or so solid hours reading:- the Net; forums; man pages; and inside Synaptics pkgs - before the system finally worked.



MY TECHNIQUE...

I plugged-in the printer, connected to PC, started it up, and watched as all lights came on, and waited until it stabilized.

I carried out the install (as Tip-v) but, at print attempt, there was nothing - no response from printer.

After reading here and there on the Net and in pkgs, I further installed some gutenprint-thingies. I got some printer lights flickering briefly, but no printing.

I installed something called MTINK - a package to test ink levels. It showed black ink at around 60%-full, and the colours at around 75%-full.

Later, I read that Epson uses ESC/P - which doesn't appear to include postscript stuff - so I removed any postscript-based thingies, and tried re-installing some CUPS-to-printer features ("filters"?).

I also removed gutenprint stuff.

Then I tried uninstalling CUPS and re-installing CUPS.

Now at some point - I cannot say exactly where - I managed to get the printer lights to flash, and sounds started within, as if something was about to happen - but it never did. Lights on printer then returned to "normal".

Much later - I cannot say where in the process either - sending a page to the printer would flash lights; start the thing whirring; after which I could hear the carriage moving back and forth, which sounded as if it was printing a page - but the page would always come out "totally blank". I could get a print queue box opened up, and it would show the job going through. There was NO print on the page though.

Printing a Test page from printer properties produced the same result - blank page. I note now that MTINK has some printer services included but I do not remember that config early in the process. (The implication is that perhaps it re-configs itself to capabilities detected from the printer - IF the printer itself is configged properly. Of course the other implication is that I have had a memory failure, and I would have to stand to be corrected.)


[THE HAND-OFF] (I think that's the right choice of phrase??)

OK; over to you. Now give it your best shot. Remember this is more a one-shot, best attempt - not a discussion. (Personally, I don't mind if you choose not to add anything but to simply agree "thumbs-up" with someone elses approach - because that will inspire confidence in it for People seeking help later.)

.
.
Regards,
aka boombaby

To continue the story of my printer installation...

.
OK, so I cannot get the damn, newly-installed CUPS-&-printer to print in Antix-16. Right. I tell myself, "I'll reboot into Mageia-5 (my no-fail distro system) and it's bound to work there!"

I booted into Mageia-5 and using the (amazing) Control Centre went through a quick pkg install process - but I also included some HP pkg thingy. [I did that after reading somewhere on the Net a post that seemed to imply the HP thingy might be needed no matter which printer was connected.] So I ended up with a HP "applet"(?) in the panel bar at the top.

Trying to start printing from the HP applet did not work with the Epson - much as I had expected. (I know, I know; stupid. However I'll try ANYTHING with Linux!) However, ignoring the applet but, instead, printing a page from a text program (as before), the printer immediately started up, and went to work. [In other words after the Mageia CUPS-&-printer install via the CTRL Centre I had no mucking about with this or that - the whole printer setup installed and worked immediately.] Sadly, in Mageia-5 the page came out totally blank, just as it did before, under Antix-16.

So... ..."the distro" is not really a part of the problem (or solution). Repeat, Mageia-5 installed and set up exactly as it was supposed to and, for Antix-16, the Print Mgr is in the menus, I only need an applet (I guess) - but it's all there. Both distros are NOT part of the problem.

Since "the distro" is not the problem I immediately rebooted back into Antix-16, where I had spent most time on this, and where there might be a need for re-config, or adjustment (after all my install/re-install attempts).

.
That concludes the second part of the printer installation story, and you should now have as clear a picture of the problem as I had.

Tomorrow I will conclude the story.

.
Regards,
aka boombaby

install cups
use the web interface
http://localhost:631/


there is a driver on open printing
http://www.openprinting.org/printer/...-Stylus_CX4700

Yes, John VV...

I tried that. (I tried a lot actually. I tried so much that I think you can tell from the write-up I cannot remember which components I used/unused. Initially I thought this process would be very easy - and it should have been - so I never bothered remembering/writing any steps.)

Anyway, after reading a forum, or two (or ten, or twenty) I used the 127.0.0.1:631 without any effect - just a white webpage. However localhost:631 gave me the admin page. (I am pretty sure that MIGHT have had something to do with my Firewall setup. DNS? I'm not sure yet.) However, by that stage, I already had CUPS (or the part I needed) installed with Synaptic Pkg Mgr, so I couldn't see any further value in it (for me) by then. I vaguely remember trying to use the Admin to do something with the printer, hit a snag, and left it to move to something else - but I could get to the Print Settings Mgr in the menus anyway. [Personally, I try to steer away from WebPage style admin, but that's just personal choice, I guess.)]

HOWEVER, I reackon yours is an excellent suggestion for this thread. So, thanks.

Regards,

THE WRAP-UP...

Finally, I come to the solution to my "printer prints blank pages after CUPS-&-printer installation" problem.

So by this time I know, that:- the two distros worked perfectly; the installation (possibly) worked perfectly; the print manager works perfectly; the print queue works perfectly; the printer sounds like its working. The problem seems to be at the printer head/ink level.

I now began (quickly) checking - again - how I could use Linux to "inspect" the printer at "GUI" level. This is where I am unclear whether I used MTINK for the second time here, or somewhere else. The reason for my uncertainty is that NOW (ie AFTER solution) when I checked it, it SEEMS to have a different interface (ie showing extra "abilities"). Anyway, at the time (ie on the two occasions I used it) it did not resolve the problem then.

The solution to post-installation of (1.) CUPS, and (2.) a long-unused, off-the-shelf printer, "printing" totally blank paper is this...

Thinking print-heads might be blocked, or ink readings might be wrong, or something like that, I opened the printer to inspect inside. The inks carriage (ie holding the 4 separate inks) automatically came to centre of printer. I removed ONLY the black cartridge, and inspected it. There was evidence of ink. I placed the ink cartridge back into it's cradle. I closed the printer. I typed another test word in a doc, and sent it to the printer. It worked! (Well, knock me down with a feather!)

So, I believe that if I had done that step immediately after the installation process (ie at the first occasion of a blank print-out) it PROBABLY would have solved the problem then.

If anyone knows exactly WHY this is a solution I would love to hear about it. [The printer was in perfect working order when I last finished with it (in Win2000).]

I turned this resolution into a (melo)drama because the solution is not obvious (and I wanted to make it obvious). I turned this into a (melo)drama because I could NOT find the solution anywhere I looked on the Net, or in man pages, or in packages, or wherever. That's not to say it isn't there, just that no-one (it seems) has made it "obvious". [Now I'm sure some smartypants(s) will track something down and post the link(s) and suggest I'm stupid and that this was obvious - but it wasn't. In the easily-accessible posts that I read about "blank pages" being "(un-)printed" no-one suggested this. This is NOT about "heroes" being the first to suggest it. [Or second, or third - if the smartypants(s) do their job right.] For me, it was just another dozen solid hours (more I think) wasted solving (what appears to be) a simple "problem".]

No; I did not want people to contribute solutions to "catch them out". Yes; I wanted this thread to be a fairly "complete" effort available for others trying to do a printer installation. Looks like my approach here was wrong too. (However I want to again thank .John VV. for his contribution.)

Regards,