I installed XUbuntu for some senior citizens who had Windows 98. Everything works beautifully except for their ancient parallel Compaq Printer (I didn't even know they used to make printers).

When I tried to install, I choose "other," selected the model (couldn't believe it was in there), and used the suggested driver. I tried printing in Firefox, and nothing happened. Then I restarted the computer, and the printer was gone from the print window.

I thought, no big deal, I'll just try another driver, but when I open the printer dialog now, it pops up, I can see the title, but then it just goes away. I am really stumped not and don't know what to do.

If I need to get a new printer for them I have a USB HP that I know works with Ubuntu sitting behind me, but how can I get the printer dialog to work?

Thanks!

I saw this one the other day whilst researching another issue; check that a2ps is installed;
sudo apt-get install a2ps

at the terminal, then try setting up the printer again.

This did not work. Any other suggestions? I'm a