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Does anybody was able to run Canon PIXMA iP3600 printer in Linux? I got that printer as Christmas gift. I tried it with CUPS and Gutenprint but it doesn't work with these programs. So I looked for some driver in Internet...
On http://software.canon-europe.com/ I found ip3600_debian_printer.tar file. It consists of three files: cnijfilter-common-3.00-1.tar.gz, cnijfilter-common_3.00-1_i386.deb, and cnijfilter-ip3600series_3.00-1_i386.deb. The first file is a source file. I tried to compile the driver using that file but without success. The second file includes three programs (cngpij, cnijusb, and pstocanonij). The third file includes a few libraries, four programs (cifip3600, cngpijmonip3600, lgmonip3600, and printuiip3600), and PPD file (canonip3600.ppd).
Program cifip3600 doesn't work in my Slackware 12.2 because of invalid library:
$ ./cifip3600
Code:
./cifip3600: error while loading shared libraries: libtiff.so.4: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
My Slackware 12.2 recognizes that printer as /dev/usb/lp0 device. None of the above programs work with the printer. Even cngpijmonip3600 (Canon Status Monitor) displays message ``Unknown printer''. It displays the same message when printer is turned off.
I tried also canonip3600.ppd PPD file with CUPS. In Slackware 12.1 with CUPS 1.3.7 it doesn't work (CUPS is unable to print test page). In Slackware 12.2 with CUPS 1.3.9 the latter seems to not accept that PPD file (switch and paper tray on printer icon change color from green to red).
Is there any method to use Canon PIXMA iP3600 with Slackware Linux?
Distribution: Slackware (personalized Window Maker), Mint (customized MATE)
Posts: 1,309
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I googled for the above message and I found that hint:
Quote:
This problem may occur when you use the /GR and the /MD compiler switches, and the version of the Msvcrt.dll file and of the Msvcirt.dll file is 7.0.x.
So maybe it's not Wine problem but setup program problem...
WINE is not Windows, so you will not be able to install drivers. WINE is designed to run Windows programs and that is about it. It can access scanners and printers if Linux supports them. ReactOS is a Windows compatible OS, but its reliability and stability is fair at this point of development. I suggest try ReactOS in VMware or Virtual Box and install the printer driver there. If it works, then you can use that.
I suggest return it and get a laser printer. Laser printers from Brother are reliable. HP printers are not reliable all the time. I have experience that some HP printers have stopped communicating with the host or computer.
Even if you unpacked it, you could still return it. Some stores will tell you there is a restocking fee. If they give you any problems, just tell the store it does not work with my OS.
If you insist of using the software from Canon, it looks like you need to install both the common and ip3600series. You may have to set some symbolic links if the installation went in the wrong locations. If it requires any libraries, install them and restart the installation process. Before installing, back up your setup.
I suggest you follow camorri's advice and try to return it/swap it as soon as possible.
Before buying a replacement, do check via Google that it is fully compatible with Linux.
HP, Epson and Brother printers are usually very good with Linux but it does pay to check FIRST.
Distribution: Slackware (personalized Window Maker), Mint (customized MATE)
Posts: 1,309
Original Poster
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I think all you guys -- camorri, Electro, and beachboy2 -- have right and I should return that printer to the store. In fact I was cheated or at least misled by Canon. They published Linux driver on their sites. I got it and I unpacked the printer, print head, and ink cartridges to use the printer with that driver. In result I stated that driver doesn't work at all. I'll report here my skirmishes with Canon support and the store guys.
***
Electro, why you suggest to buy laser printer rather than ink one? I think ink printer is a good choice because it prints text as well as pictures (photos). I'm disappointed with pictures printed by print lab. I just ordered printing of a few pictures and in result they are too dark and colors are incorrect. Print lab sometimes print pictures well and sometimes bad. I haven't any control of that process. I hope photos printed at home can look better than printed in lab. Am I right or am I wrong?
I can't help you with slackware but I just got the printer working on my suse linux machine with the drivers from the canon page you indicated (the rpm version as suse is an rpm based distribution).
I just unpacked it, installed the two rpms (the "common" one first) and installed the printer using the suse configuration tool and the ppd-file that came with the rpms. Of course you will need to match the software requirements first which are quite extensive but never the less manageable under suse linux.
The quality and speed seem compareable to windows = quite nice.
Good luck!
BTW: there is also a commercial driver available "Turboprint" which also works fine for me.
3. cngpijmonip3600 command displays ``Canon Status Monitor'' window with inscription ``Unknown printer''.
4. lgmonip3600 command simply waits for Ctrl-C.
5. printuiip3600 command displays ``Canon iP3600 series'' window with three tabs. I tried all options from ``Maintenance'' tab (for example: ``Cleaning'', ``Print Head Alignment'', ``Power Off'', and ``Custom Settings''). All these options do nothing.
I believe there are some systems in which these programs work but in my system they're simply useless.
***
Canon puts in these packages LICENSE files in four languages but none README file. User should guess for what purposes are all these magic programs.
Distribution: Slackware (personalized Window Maker), Mint (customized MATE)
Posts: 1,309
Original Poster
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Laser printers
I checked twenty three models of laser printers by Brother and HP for their compatibilities with Linux, prices, and features. The numbers in parenthesis show how many times these printers are more expensive than Canon PIXMA iP3600.
HP LaserJet P2014 (3.3) HP LaserJet P2015dn (6.0) HP LaserJet P1505n (3.8) HP LaserJet P1505 (2.5) HP LaserJet 1020 (2.1), HP LaserJet P1006 (1.8), HP LaserJet P1005 (1.4), HP LaserJet 1020 (2.1), HP LaserJet 1018 (1.5)
Among perfectly compatible printers three models have reasonable prices:
The best choices are in my opinion Brother HL-5240 and HP LaserJet P2015 because both interpret PCL and PostScript and offer higher resolution. HP has more memory but is louder and more expensive than Brother.
Distribution: Slackware (personalized Window Maker), Mint (customized MATE)
Posts: 1,309
Original Poster
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Inkjet printers
I checked nine models of inkjet printers by HP and Epson for their compatibilities with Linux, prices, and features. The numbers in parenthesis show how many times these printers are more expensive than Canon PIXMA iP3600.
Distribution: Slackware (personalized Window Maker), Mint (customized MATE)
Posts: 1,309
Original Poster
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Does anybody have some experience with HP Photosmart D7360 or HP Photosmart D7260 inkjet printers? Do they offer picture quality comparable to the picture quality offered by good print labs?
Does anybody have some experience with Brother HL-5240 or HP LaserJet P2015 laser printers? Which one is more sturdy and comfortable?
Ink printers are cheaper if printing photos or graphics. Laser is good for reliability. Laser printer's graphics quality depends on its half tone algorithm. The heads in ink printers have to be align to provide near perfect print out or with out any banding. Lasers does not need any alignment. Color laser printers costs 300 US dollars and up while ink printers costs 50 US dollars and up. When using ink printers, maintaining the ink is costly. Sure refill ink kits can be used, but they sometimes gets messy and/or clog up the print head. There are also re-tone kits for laser printers. The time between uses can be very long with a laser printer. An ink printer needs to be use if it does not have to print anything or else the print head gets clogged. Ink printers are wasteful while not being used for a long time. Print outs from a laser printer does not bleed when water is splash on it, but from a ink printer it does. Laser printers brands the content to the paper while a ink printer just dyes the paper.
what you see on the screen VS is what you print on paper:
Both the monitor and printer are completely different. One uses additive color, monitor, and the other uses subtractive color, printer. The monitor displays RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and the printer outputs CYMK (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Black). These are completely different color types and hard to convert to one to another with accuracy. If your print lab, sometimes prints light or dark, then it is your setup. The best way is to color by PANTONE and calibrate the monitor for near perfect color. In Linux this is hard to do.
I suggest a Brother HL-4040CN. It is a color laser printer. From the cnet review it seems good for almost everything. Another color laser printer that might also be good is KONICA MINOLTA magicolor 2550. It all depends what you want from your printer. If you want a printer to print high quality graphics, go with KONICA MINOLTA printers. If you want speed and some quality for everything for graphics and text, go with Brother HL-4040CN.
My Brother HL-5140 monochrome laser is noisy but it is only noisy during use. I prefer laser printers because they are not as annoying to work with and they just work. I suggest you decide between reliability or a lot of fuss.
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