I'm trying to use Slackware 11 before its time, I know. This is a fresh
build (as of Monday morning from ftp.slackware.no).

I'm a bit weirded out by the lack of /dev/usb/lp0... all I'm getting is
things like:

nick@heracles:~$ ls /dev/us*
/dev/usbdev1.1 /dev/usbdev2.3 /dev/usbdev4.1 /dev/usbdev4.3
/dev/usbdev2.1 /dev/usbdev3.1 /dev/usbdev4.2 /dev/usbdev5.1

As root, I can do

root@heracles:~# lsusb
Bus 5 Device 1: ID 0000:0000
Bus 4 Device 3: ID 058f:9360 Alcor Micro Corp.
Bus 4 Device 1: ID 0000:0000
Bus 3 Device 1: ID 0000:0000
Bus 2 Device 3: ID 045e:0040 Microsoft Corp. Wheel Mouse Optical
Bus 2 Device 1: ID 0000:0000
Bus 1 Device 1: ID 0000:0000
root@heracles:~#

which tells me not much... the printer I'm trying to detect is an HP
Laserjet 1020, and I've already done the "stuff" from
foo2zjs.rkkda.com.

Now on a hunch, I tried this:
mkdir /dev/usb
ln /dev/usbdev4.3 /dev/usb/lp0

but I don't think that actually does anything, plus, the /dev/usb
folder disappears on re-boot.

Any thoughts BESIDES stick to official releases?

Cheers,

Nick.

Does /var/log/messages show any messages if you power on or connect the printer (after the system has booted)?

Thanks for the reply!

After I power on the printer, this is added to /var/log/messages:

Aug 30 08:05:55 heracles kernel: usb 5-3: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 8


lsusb and ls /dev/us* results have not changed.

BTW: This is a fresh install, 2.6.17.11 kernel, modules from extra installed.

Whoa... just checked /var/log/messages again, and I see the same message has been repeated several times for addresses 9, 10, and 11.

N

Sounds funny that is says nothing about HP, that it looks like it has not been recognized at all, well nearly at all.
I searched a little bit this morning when I had some free time. It seems that the /dev/usb/lp0 is not always the right device name but that you have to adjust the commands (and one config file as I remember) to another one. It COULD be /dev/usblp0 (without the slash, might be a typo in the udev part of the printer installation?). See http://lists.freestandards.org/piper...06/007757.html about this.

Okay, I have at least a temporary fix:

according to the FAQ at http://www.linux-usb.org/FAQ.html#ts6 this could be a cable issue. The FAQ recommended trying the command
rmmod ehci-hcd
As soon as I did that, the printer became visible, /dev/usb/lp0 appeared, life is suddenly good why not.

I'll keep trying cables, maybe go & buy a new fancy one, but in the meantime,I'm going to try popping that line in rc.local and see if I can at least get the beasty going.

Thanks for the replies all.

Nick.

Just curious what that has to do with your issue,
since "ehci-hcd" is the module for USB 2.0?

From the posts I read the laserjet 1020 sounds like a little beast. Good luck with taming it

I just had to post again after reading more of the Linux USB FAQ.

This is a cheap 'hack' if you will that's masking your real problem.
That just removes USB 2.0 functionality from your USB root hub.

That "ehci-hcd" module controls your USB 2.0 controller, so now you
only have USB 1.0 functionality. Maybe you prefer 12 Mbps transfers
rather than 480 Mbps?

Have you ever tried plugging the printer into an USB port on the back
of your box that goes directly to your motherboard?

I see you're also trying other cables.

I tried every usb port on the box, but have mostly stuck to the ones in the back. I'm going to buy a new cable today to see if I can remove the "hack" and get full usb functionality back. Platinum/gold interweave, thorium contacts, etc., etc.

N