Installing a thermal printer
 

I need to install a bematech MP-4000 TH USB thermal printer, but the system does not recogize the printer.

I tried to install various cups versions and other related packages; without results....

what may I do?

First, provide details. Like what version/distro of Linux you're using, and what you've tried so far, what error(s) you see where, etc. The various CUPS versions, though, is not good. Get the latest version for whatever distro you have, and stick with it.

Also, did you contact them? According to their website:
http://www.bematech.com/en/products/...s_mp4000th.asp
Linux is listed. The drivers aren't on their page, though, but are specifically mentioned. Contact them, and they probably can help you.

it depends on how the printer communicates with the computer and how proprietary the driver is
you may want to search for
you have probably at least 3 options
1) search for a suitable PPD file for the printer
2) look on the vendor's website to see if there is linux support (proprietary or otherwise, E:G: hplip, an open source project for HP printers founded by HP) for that printer directly
3) look for an community written open-source alternative

it also depends on how it communicates with your computer, it could be emulating a parallel or a serial port so you may want to find out how to identify that too because how the printer communicates with your machine is also important

I am trying on ubuntu 9.10 and livreSO (debian based)

I do not remember the cups versions, but now I am using 1.4.1-5

I tried the official support but they did not answered.

this is the lsusb output:

Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0b1b:0001
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 03eb:0902 Atmel Corp. 4-Port Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

I am searching on "openprinting.org" but looks like there's no driver for that printer.

on the vendor's website there is only a driver (rpms) for an other printer.

Well, on the link I sent first, it says specifically that the printer is supported under Linux. Contacting their official support is probably your best bet.

I already tried, but I got no response

Perhaps not yet, but really, that's your only option. They've got phone #'s listed, along with email support, so either call them during business hours, or wait for a reply.

That printer has drivers supplied by THEM, so if you want all the features to work, you'll either have to write your own, or get it from them.

After a year, the support created the linux package and it is on their download page.

Interesting...

They are quite buggy, and for x86 arch only. I've made them work with CUPS 1.3.x and 1.4.x

---------- Post added 04-11-11 at 03:35 PM ----------

Download them from here:

What may I say? Thanks!