Need help trying to install printer driver Linux ubuntu 18.04

rnturn · 01-28-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozstar

I am loving the challenge of Linux however wonder why 'install' or batch scripts aren't written to do all the manual work like in Windows.

Windows pretty much only used InstallShield for software installations, didn't it? Compare that to the different package managers available for Linux. Single package format vs. many package formats. You'd think that a script that simply unpacks the source code, runs 'configure', and compiles and installs the software would be the way to go. But... with so many distributions -- some based on RedHat, others based on Debian, etc., etc. -- 'configure' can't automatically figure it all out. Plus, everyone's Linux system would have to be configured as though it were being used for software development and that's far from a safe assumption.

hazel · 01-29-2020, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnturn

Sometimes 'strings' helps. There maybe a 'usage' type message or the text of the prompts a user would see buried in the binary.

I've already found the English strings (and a lot from foreign languages as well). Unfortunately there's no way of knowing in what circumstances they are given. The best way to find out would be to do the install in some kind of sandbox but I don't know how to create one.

hazel · 01-29-2020, 10:02 AM

There is a script that the program writes and then runs. But I can't make head or tail of it. Everything seems to be in the wrong order. It starts with some completely isolated case statements in shell syntax for starting and stopping a print queue (it has a separate print daemon, not cupsd), then comes a shebang and a copyright statement, and then what look like installation instructions for different UNIX varieties. Finally there's a dirty great EULA which is printed in about 40 different languages! I'm attaching it for those who are interested.

btw has anyone else noticed that the attachment proceedure has changed? You now have to tick a box labelled "I'm not a robot" although there isn't a proper capcha.

rnturn · 01-29-2020, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

I've already found the English strings (and a lot from foreign languages as well). Unfortunately there's no way of knowing in what circumstances they are given. The best way to find out would be to do the install in some kind of sandbox but I don't know how to create one.

I suggested it as I notice that a lot (most?) binaries seem to include names of a lot of libraries. Perhaps the name of the curses library it is linked against is in that list.

What about setting up a virtual machine via libvirt and run the installer under that? (It's been too long since I've used that... back to the tutorials.)

hazel · 01-29-2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnturn

I suggested it as I notice that a lot (most?) binaries seem to include names of a lot of libraries. Perhaps the name of the curses library it is linked against is in that list.

No, it's not there. That was the first thing I checked. But I've noticed that many of the printed messages have variable strings in them. I suspect the program checks for the libraries the installable programs are linked against and puts the names of any missing ones in a standard message.

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What about setting up a virtual machine via libvirt and run the installer under that? (It's been too long since I've used that... back to the tutorials.)

Sooner you than me!

rnturn · 01-29-2020, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

There is a script that the program writes and then runs. But I can't make head or tail of it. Everything seems to be in the wrong order.

Code obfuscation? :^D

Quote:

It starts with some completely isolated case statements in shell syntax for starting and stopping a print queue (it has a separate print daemon, not cupsd), then comes a shebang and a copyright statement, and then what look like installation instructions for different UNIX varieties. Finally there's a dirty great EULA which is printed in about 40 different languages! I'm attaching it for those who are interested.

That is the script that's created by the installer?

A fairly inscrutable script. It does make mention of CUPS down in the later portion but I can't tell what the heck it's doing with that. I like how the only comments are the copyright notice. Looks like mortals are not expected to know how this works---unless they can reverse engineer the command line arguments. Ugh.

I do like this part, though:

Code:

#!/bin/sh
###############################################################
##                                                           ##
##  Copyright (C) %d by %s Corp.  All rights reserved.  ##
##                                                           ##
###############################################################
## Exit Script
exit 0

At least it doesn't use a lot of resources when it runs. Or, as you noted, everything is in the wrong order.

hazel · 01-30-2020, 05:22 AM

My guess is that the order is obfuscated to prevent people like us from finding out how the thing actually works. The program probably writes the script out to a file in blocks in an internally specified order, then runs it.

ozstar · 01-31-2020, 03:56 AM

OMG.

I'm so sorry I have taken up so much of your time !

But isn't it crazy that one of the biggest printer companies in the world cannot easily provide a script driver for Linux, one of the biggest OS's!

I have come across this but not sure of it casts any better light on the subject or not.

https://veronneau.org/installing-xer...-on-linux.html

Altho' I've been in the IT industry for over 40 years, unfortunately my knowledge of Linux is so very limited so I am unable to contribute anything at all, except to keep you all from your favourite pastimes.

Thanks, and more thanks.. :-)

hazel · 01-31-2020, 04:12 AM

That's a brilliant link, Ozstar! I particularly love this bit:

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It's hard mainly because Xerox kinda sucks and has near zero documentation for Linux. Step up your game, Xerox.

and this:

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After contacting Xerox support and bugging them for a few weeks on this, they basically told me they would not fix it themselves, but they could bill for it, the IT equivalent of a big "F*** You".

At least, people here will be warned not to buy these printers.

ozstar · 02-09-2020, 05:38 PM

Well after our unbelievable rain event(330mm in 3 days)which part flooded our offices, inbetween cleanup and drying out, I am still trying to connect Linux to the Cube8570.

I noticed this the the xerox form altho' a different printer. Maybe some insight ?

Quote:

Linux drivers don't work correctly with Phaser 3140

So where Windows works and Linux doesn't, are you sure its the driver? My first thought would be the port. Windows uses RAW by default (HP Jet Direct) on Linux. Or LPD/LPR can be used by either.

CUPS tends to use IPP, which isn't as reliable in my experience.

The driver is the issue if the job gets to the printer and comes out wrong. If it doesn't all get there (or none of it) the issue is usually the port/protocol.