I installed Slackware 10 with Cups ONLY. I did NOT install lprng because of the conflict between the two.
I enabled Parallel Port and lp in /etc/rc.d/rc.modules.
I've done chmod +x for rc.cups and rebooted.
Using KDE as my desktop.
I have no problem configuring my Lexmark Z53 parallel port printer using either localhost:631 or the KDE printer wizard (I've tried both.) Test pages come out fine.
I can print from Abiword but not from Kwrite or Kword. When I try to print a Kwrite document, the little screen that says it's sending the page to the printer flashes by so fast I can't read all of it, then it disappears and that's that. Nothing prints.

If there's an answer somewhere I haven't found it yet. I came across a hint that I might need foomatic something-or-other. I don't seem to have that installed. Any suggestions, anyone?

Thanks!
Siri Amrit

I have had a bit of luck printing in KDE. Although my problem started out opposite of yours.
Kapps (Kword, Konquror, etc.) would print but non-Kapps (mozilla, gimp, abiword,etc) would not.

It is not a great solution, but I had to configure each individual app to use "kprinter" as its print command.

Example, Abiword by default had 'lpr' as it's print command (file -> print ->print command. I had to
manually change that to 'kprinter' instead of 'lpr'. same with mozilla, gimp, etc.

I know that this is not an exact solution to your problem, but since no one has responded yet, I'm
sharing what I know in hopes it will give you a clue to your problem.

good luck -tw

Did you set up your printer in kprinter?

first in CUPS via localhost:631 in my browser, then to kprinter to
verify (control panel -> peripherals -> printers).

Initially I installed lprng (full install), but then I uninstalled it. I
no longer have the lpr command in the console - whcih is
problably one of my problems, so I used the kprinter
solution as a work around.

Do you have the gimp-print drivers installed as well..................Here's the LinuxPrinting.org's Lexmark Z53 page with some installation tips, such as: Here's the Lexmark Z52 page, also..........

And one more thing....................Do you have CUPS enabled in Kwrite and Kword..............Open up those apps and hit the printer icon in the menu at the top, hit the Expand buttion in the popup dialog box and then at the bottom, you'll see "Printer system currently used:". Make sure "CUPS (Common UNIX Print System)" is selected from the drop-down menu to the right........

Thank you all for your suggestions. It's just wierd. I can't delete the printer, which the K Print configurator calls a "Special 'pseudo' printer." So I made a new printer and gave it a different name, and it works, I don't know why.

I don't call my box a "confuser" for nothing...

Peace!
Siri Amrit

I'm reviving this thread because I learned something and want to share it.
I lost all my printer settings for some reason and had to start over. This time, I could print from K apps, but not Abiword. I tried everything! Even uninstalled Cups and put LPRNG back. Couldn't get Abiword to print with it's "lpr" command, with "kprinter" command, "lpr -P lexmark" "lpr-cups" ... nothing worked. UNTIL:

I checked the "Embedded Fonts" box in the print dialog. It works great with just the "lpr" command if that box is checked. DUH!

Anyway, I hope this little tip helps someone else...

Siri Amrit

Try tu put on the command line of print proprieties of each aplication de command:
kprinter --stdin

You've just helped me get my homework printed. God bless LQ.org.
CUPS was just printing off this little error message:
Note that using Embed Fonts made the print job go from 12k to 1632k.

That makes me feel good. I'm glad you got your homework done! And, BTW, I got one of those IBM keyboards for my husband. He types like he's on a 1930 Underwood.