Hello,

I'm running on the Debian desktop and I'm having trouble printing. I've downloaded PDD and configured the CUPS printing system using the utility under System on the tool bar. The commands lpr and lp from a terminal window does nothing; if I do lpstate I see the jobs in the queue; if I do lprm file, then the file is removed from the queue. I did ps -aux | grep cups and see the cupsd is running.

I disconnected the printer from the USB port and connected it to my MacBook which also uses cups. It works with the Mac.

Thanks in advance for any help

klee12

Configure CUPS only with its web interface for a more predictable setup. Using utilities to setup CUPS is not reliable and not predictable unless the GUI program is compatible with the version of CUPS that you are using. Also if you are using a ppd file that does not come from linuxprinting.org or the several hundreds that comes included in your CUPS installation, you may need to install additional programs depending what the ppd file requires. Set CUPS logging level to debug or debug2 and check the logs.

Thanks for your suggestions, Electro.

I'm installing Debian fresh from the CD, so I don't think there is a conflict in versions of CUPS and the OS I think. If Debian did something weird, CUPS might not know about it.

My PPD came from Lexmark, so I think the PPD is OK. My test program was pure text and the printer can do postscript so I don't think it's a matter of drivers. I did poke around localhost:631 and under the Printers tab, a button that said Print Test Page. I pushed the button and got the message

(Default Printer) "recoverable: Network host 'localhost' is busy; will retry in 30 seconds..."

I did ifconfig, and lo was up. I pinged local host and all was well.

So it looks like a network problem.

I appreciate your help and suggestions.

klee12

I looked in docs and didn't find much. So, in desperation I used Electros suggestion and configured with CUPS. It worked. The problem was, I think, that Debian (or I) specify the default printer. Dumb me.

So thanks Electro. Problme solved.

klee12