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williamhf 10-30-2012 04:59 PM
Please Help me configure my Brother HL-5240 Printer
 
I assumed that my computer would automatically recognize my Brother HL-5240 Laser Printer after installing Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya as its Operating System.

I got it to successfully print a couple of short test files.
Then it simply stopped printing such test files.

When I pressed Print, the screen would show the information about what was to be printed in the usual way one sees when he presses "Print."

But --- it will no longer go ahead and print short test files wehn I press "Print." Even tho' when I press "Print" the screen shows the usual screen detailing what is about to be printed.

Now then --- the Toner LED has been flashing occasionally for several weeks. And now it is more On than NOT On when I've turned the Printer on and let it warm up.

I have ordered a replacment Toner for this Brother HL-5240 printer which should arrive in a few days.

Is it correct for me to believe that my Brother HL-5240 printer would be automatically recognized at Installation of Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya without me having to configure it manually?

If you could offer other ideas re what may be wrong, please reply.

With many thanks for your suggestions,

william
Florida

clifford227 10-30-2012 05:58 PM
It could well be that you have run out of toner.


It could also be that the printer is not set up correctly in CUPS.

I had a similar problem recently.

Try setting up CUPS in a browser (h-t-t-p://localhost:631), user/pass could be root/root, or root/root_password.

Then Administration tab 'add printer', find your printer in 'local printers', continue.

When it asks you to name the printer, choose a small name like 'myprinter' (no underscores, in my experience)

Next find your driver in the list.

Next 'set default options'.

You should be done with the basic install of the printer.

Try to print from whatever program you are printing from. Look in the programs printer options for 'myprinter'.


If you want to print from the commandline, complete the above steps for setting up CUPS and issue this:


Code:
lp -d myprinter filetoprint
It works (for me).

nickmh 10-31-2012 05:08 AM
Brilliantly simple Cliff. I've had similar problems in the past and commited all the sins you suggested to avoid. :)

Little gems of knowledge sometime works a treat, Beaudy. "ta

michaelk 10-31-2012 06:43 AM
According to the manual if the status LED is red the toner is end of life. It is possible that the printer returned an error message back to cups and its queue is stopped. You can check the status via cups via the web browser (localhost:631/printers) If you can still print a test page directly from the printer then there is some toner left remaining. You might be able to get some more life out of the cartridge if you remove it and shake it around a bit.

williamhf 11-04-2012 08:29 AM
I don't understand how to configure cups for my Brother HL-5240 Printer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clifford227 (Post 4818522)
It could well be that you have run out of toner.

williamhf: I have installed a new Toner Cartridge since my original post.
After doing so I still can't print, Interestingly, my wife can print from her Apple Lapbook by just plugging into my Brother HL-5240---
the printer which won't print my files.

Clifford 227: It could also be that the printer is not set up correctly in CUPS.

I had a similar problem recently.

Try setting up CUPS in a browser (h-t-t-p://localhost:631), user/pass could be root/root, or root/root_password.

williamhf: I dont understand your directions above---no fault of yours. What is "http://local host:631 ?
williamhf: Please Let me add some information to the hisstory I've given previously. Immediately before suddenly losing the ability
to print a file, I had downloaded and installed several "Updates" to my Op System: Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya. Three or four of
those updates were "cups" updates. I saw no reason not to choose those "cups" updates. Updates are supposed to improve the
action/performance of the selected program------are they not?


Clifford 227: Then Administration tab 'add printer', find your printer in 'local printers', continue.

When it asks you to name the printer, choose a small name like 'myprinter' (no underscores, in my experience)

Next find your driver in the list.
williamhf: I searched the Brother Printer website for and found pages of drivers for "cups." I could not figure out whick of the "cups" drivers
I should choose. And then User is supposed to pick an "install" file for his particular choice of "cups" driver. I failed to discern
which I should choose.
Finallly --- permit me to ask again: Is it to be expected with today's Linux Op. Systems that upon installation, most Op. Systems will recognize
when a modern printer is connected to the system and automatically configure and install that printer?

Clifford 227: Next 'set default options'.

You should be done with the basic install of the printer.

Try to print from whatever program you are printing from. Look in the programs printer options for 'myprinter'.


If you want to print from the commandline, complete the above steps for setting up CUPS and issue this:


Code:
lp -d myprinter filetoprint
It works (for me).
williamhf: Clifford --- thanks very much for your effort to help me. But as you can see I'm all but helpless in being able to act on your advice.

williamhf 11-04-2012 08:35 AM
I don't understand how to configure cups for my Brother HL-5240 Printer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clifford227 (Post 4818522)
It could well be that you have run out of toner.

williamhf: I have installed a new Toner Cartridge since my original post.
After doing so I still can't print, Interestingly, my wife can print from her Apple Lapbook by just plugging into my Brother HL-5240---
the printer which won't print my files.

Clifford 227: It could also be that the printer is not set up correctly in CUPS.

I had a similar problem recently.

Try setting up CUPS in a browser (h-t-t-p://localhost:631), user/pass could be root/root, or root/root_password.

williamhf: I dont understand your directions above---no fault of yours. What is "http://local host:631 ?
williamhf: Please Let me add some information to the hisstory I've given previously. Immediately before suddenly losing the ability
to print a file, I had downloaded and installed several "Updates" to my Op System: Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya. Three or four of
those updates were "cups" updates. I saw no reason not to choose those "cups" updates. Updates are supposed to improve the
action/performance of the selected program------are they not?


Clifford 227: Then Administration tab 'add printer', find your printer in 'local printers', continue.

When it asks you to name the printer, choose a small name like 'myprinter' (no underscores, in my experience)

Next find your driver in the list.
williamhf: I searched the Brother Printer website for and found pages of drivers for "cups." I could not figure out whick of the "cups" drivers
I should choose. And then User is supposed to pick an "install" file for his particular choice of "cups" driver. I failed to discern
which I should choose.
Finallly --- permit me to ask again: Is it to be expected with today's Linux Op. Systems that upon installation, most Op. Systems will recognize
when a modern printer is connected to the system and automatically configure and install that printer?

Clifford 227: Next 'set default options'.

You should be done with the basic install of the printer.

Try to print from whatever program you are printing from. Look in the programs printer options for 'myprinter'.


If you want to print from the commandline, complete the above steps for setting up CUPS and issue this:


Code:
lp -d myprinter filetoprint
It works (for me).
williamhf: Clifford --- Thanks very much for your effort to help me. But as you can see I did not understand enough of your advice.
Now I'll open the website h-t-t-p://localhost:631

AwesomeMachine 11-04-2012 09:20 AM
CUPS has the print driver separated into several different pieces. The driver usually requires only a .ppd file for your model, which you choose in the CUPS browser interface at http://localhost:631

Type the url right into the web browser, firefox or whatever. You can view whatever is going on with cups, and adjust any settings. You can add printers, print a test page, start and stop print queues. The driver should be in an available package, like foomatic-ppd or cups-ppd or something similar. Or you can generate a ppd on linuxprinting.org.

clifford227 11-04-2012 10:37 AM
William,

Lets try this first:

Go into CUPS as AwesomeMachine suggests, by typing:

into your web browser's address bar at the top. Entry details maybe root/rootpassword

Now click on the Administration tab at the top of the CUPS page.

Then click 'add printer'. Look for your printer name or anything that says Brother in 'local printers', if so, click continue.

When it asks you to name the printer, choose a small name like 'myprinter' (no underscores, in my experience), click continue.

Now you should be at a screen with a list of drivers to choose from. See if your model printer is in the list. If it is not, then download this .ppd file and save it to your computer (right-click on I accept, and click 'save link as'):

http://www.brother.com/cgi-bin/agree...ng=English_gpl

Once you have done that, go back to your web browser and the CUPS page, and where it says 'or provide a .ppd file', click 'browse'. This should open a window to your computer. Find the file you downloaded (BR5240_2_GPL.ppd.gz) and select it.

Click 'Set default options'.

Go into the 'Printer' tab at the top on the far right, select and click on your printer name you have just set up ('myprinter'). Then in the maintenance tab drop down, click 'Print test page'.

It may or may not print a test page. If it does not, try going into one of your other programs, a text editor, for example, go into that programs printer options, and look for the name 'myprinter'. select it and try to print from that text editor.

If that doesnt work William, come back and we'll try another way.

williamhf 11-04-2012 02:03 PM
I can't find the CUPS page you describe
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clifford227 (Post 4821987)
William,

Lets try this first:

Go into CUPS as AwesomeMachine suggests, by typing: http://localhost:631

into your web browser's address bar at the top. Entry details maybe root/rootpassword

Now click on the Administration tab at the top of the CUPS page.

Then click 'add printer'. Look for your printer name or anything that says Brother in 'local printers', if so, click continue.

When it asks you to name the printer, choose a small name like 'myprinter' (no underscores, in my experience), click continue.

Now you should be at a screen with a list of drivers to choose from. See if your model printer is in the list. If it is not, then download this .ppd file and save it to your computer (right-click on I accept, and click 'save link as'):

http://www.brother.com/cgi-bin/agree...ng=English_gpl

Once you have done that, go back to your web browser and the CUPS page, and where it says 'or provide a .ppd file', click 'browse'. This should open a window to your computer. Find the file you downloaded (BR5240_2_GPL.ppd.gz) and select it.

Click 'Set default options'.

Go into the 'Printer' tab at the top on the far right, select and click on your printer name you have just set up ('myprinter'). Then in the maintenance tab drop down, click 'Print test page'.

It may or may not print a test page. If it does not, try going into one of your other programs, a text editor, for example, go into that programs printer options, and look for the name 'myprinter'. select it and try to print from that text editor.

If that doesnt work William, come back and we'll try another way.
William" I'm sorry to report that when I type http://localhost:631 into my Firefox Browser NONE of the options/choices you describe appears on any of the files
which Firefox shows me on its first screen with 10 hits. Did I type an incorrect URL for the CUPS site?

William:
Thanks to you and Awesome for not abandoning me.
I have to go to North Carolina tomorrow for three days and will be back thereafter and looking for your respone here.

clifford227 11-05-2012 04:58 PM
William,

Type http://localhost:631 in the same place as in this screenshot:

http://i.imgur.com/swOPf.jpg

williamhf 11-08-2012 09:46 AM
---clifford227

The screen shot does NOT show "http://localhost:631 anywhere.

It does show "localhostL631" to the left and above the screenshot

There is a big, completely BLACK, rectangle oriented vertically which obscures the words covered by the Black rectangle on the left 1/4 of the screen.

This has become too complicated to communicate with each other.

I assume you received my mesage here in Newbie Questions which tells you that typing "http://localhost:631" into my Firefox Web Browser does NOT bring up the configuring screen which you have described to me. The blanks which you tell me to use and type in the required info. simply don't appear.

Would it be easier for us to communicate were I to give you my phone number or e-mail address?

But, I don't know anyway to give you my phone number or e-mail address so that only you and I see it.

Sorry to haveloaded this burden on you.

william

clifford227 11-08-2012 05:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by williamhf (Post 4825055)
Would it be easier for us to communicate were I to give you my phone number or e-mail address?
I think we should try to solve this problem in the forum, William, it may help someone else in the future, and you're not burdening me, so dont worry :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by williamhf (Post 4825055)
There is a big, completely BLACK, rectangle oriented vertically which obscures the words covered by the Black rectangle on the left 1/4 of the screen.
Please excuse the black rectangle, its a problem with my computer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by williamhf (Post 4825055)
It does show "localhostL631" to the left and above the screenshot
Yes, thats where to type localhost:631 ,into the actual address bar of the browser at the top, not on the webpage itself.

see this screenshot:
http://i.imgur.com/tPVe7.jpg
.

williamhf 11-09-2012 05:57 PM
SOLVED

Clifford and other responders and readers

It's embarassing to have to admit but I have caused you a lot of trouble, time and effort.

Today, on my own computer running Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya I found an icon I had failed to
uncover previousl.

I was astonished to find it.

It was an icon depicting a PRINTER!

I clicked on it and found that it offered to help me configure my computer.

I followed its instructions and finally chose "Print Preview" ..... never believing for one moment that it would print for me.
I clicked "Print" at "Prinet Preview" and the page printed!

Fearfully I then chose Printe, not print preview, and my Brother HL-5240 Laser printer printed again.

Please know that I now see that all the energy and time you ahve put into helping me was needless due to my ignorance.

I apologize to all.

The problem has been solved.

william

williamhf 11-09-2012 06:07 PM
Solved

To Clifford and Asesome and others who may have responded to my pleas for help in getting my Brother HL-5240 Laser printer to work

I finally tumbled to the fact that there was a Printer configuration program within my Op. System: Linux Mint 13 Mate Maya.

When I found it I used it and was able to successfully configure my Printer and it now works fine.

I'm happy.

I apologize to all for dragging this thread on for so long ----- I ws ignorant of the availability of help right on my computer without seeking outside/Web help.

Sincerely,

william

clifford227 11-09-2012 07:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by williamhf (Post 4826175)
I was ignorant of the availability of help right on my computer without seeking outside/Web help.
I do that all the time, William, so no problem :)


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