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  • From: sindi keesan <keesan AT sdf.lonestar.org>
  • To: baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [BL] postscript network printers
  • Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 17:26:01 +0000 (UTC)


No menus until the OS is installed. There is a menu button.

This is very strange - normally, the OS is built-in in EPROM, never
need to install it to get the menus on the printer LCD.


Thanks. That explains why support suggested that I have to replace the 'flash ROM' after copying 10MB of 'operating system' to hard disk. You can either upgrade an existing OS or install it from scratch on a new hard drive. The board was able to format the hard drive, and only complained after I sent it the OS. Must be in two pieces, most of it on hard drive, like a computer.

The instructions for installing the OS were via parport and DOS copy /b
(first time) or for upgrading, via ftp and ethernet cable if you first
assign an IP address, which I why I hoped I could just ftp files over.
I can try udhcpc on both QMS and HP printers.

If the printer doesn't have its networking OS installed, as you
indicate, then you probably will not be able to use the TCP/IP protocol
to install it.

Typically, HP network-capable printers (and other brands) can be
configured to work via TCP/IP printing to support either direct
printing to the printer ( with an lpd-like daemon), or to connect to
Netware or Windows servers of some kind. TCP/IP settings can be set
using DHCP, or staticly. (Usually static settings can be done through
the printer menus.)

I would prefer to avoid printcaps and spools, and just send files to the
printer with cat (parport) or ftp (ethernet), either of which can be used
for QMS to upgrade the operating system. copy /b to lpo1 for DOS - to
install or upgrade. cat filename.ps > /dev/lp0 or ftp filename.ps 'IP
number' after assigning the IP number via the menu?

Sure, if you're going to hook it up to just one computer, then you can
certainly use the parallel port of the printer, and use cat to lp0
You will will need to set up the printcap, though, as that's how Linux
figures out what kind of printer it is, and what commands to use to
print to it. You might be able to use just a very generic one, though.

I print with cat and gs to > /dev/lp0, with no printcap. Steven explained how to use print filters to print from CLI. Insmod lp, and run the script
printdj filename.pdf (or .ps), which consists of
deskjet.filter < $1 > /dev/lp0

I have not figured out how to just use CLI gs for this:
gs -q -dSAFER -sDEVICE=deskjet -r300x300 -sPAPERSIZE=letter filename.ps
-sOutputFile=- - > /dev/lp0 ???? I could not get various permutations of this to work. With a ps printer I should not need any of this but I would need some way to set resolution. Maybe the menu will do this for me.

First I need an EEPROM. They sent me an 800 number that did not work and just wrote again.

You may want to set up a server, but you more
likely can set up the printer as a stand-alone, with static addressing.

You should be able to do this entirely through the menus on the
printer, but you will likely want to dig around on the HP web site for
manuals.

QMS sent me the URLs for pdf manuals for installation (Win31/Win9x...,
Mac, various Unixes) and operation.

The printers can do postscript 2 and pcl 5 (HP?). Can I simply cat
filename.ps > /dev/lp0? And with netpbm: jpegtopnm filename.ps|pnmtops
[options for resolution] > /dev/lp0? (or pbmtolj for monochrome files).
I don't think I need ghostscript, which is for printing ps or pdf on a
non-ps printer.

Once you set up the printer with a static IP, and set up Linux to
connect to it to print, you shuld be able to just redirect to the
printer port, yes.


I still use the dot-matrix for things I don't want to fade, run or chip
off. We got a $7 reinking kit probably good for my lifetime. Prints unix
format directly. Paper always feeds right. We recycled the 9-pin's.
Getting tired of inkjets that need cartridges soaked before infrequent
use.

I'm afraid I haven't tried moving toner between various cartridges;
I've been able to get the toner carts I need, and because I've done
such low volumes of printings, I've only had to change toners once. If
you can find it, sometimes you can find the specs on the toner that the
printer uses in the user or service manuals - it would be a good idea
to check, to see if there's a size difference or some such.

This printer takes $50 cartridges. I don't expect to run out, but if I do, I also don't expect to print 20,000 pages. We have old cartridges from several dead printers, with toner. Some have refill kits.

I, too, get annoyed at ink-jet printers which continually dry up before
I need to use them again.

The trick is to put them for 30 sec in some superhot water (microwave a small dish of it). Rather a nuisance. The older Epsons have the printhead built in and that is worse.


Anthony Albert
===========================================================
Anthony J. Albert albert AT umpi.maine.edu
Systems and Software Support Specialist Postmaster
Computer Services - University of Maine, Presque Isle
"This is only temporary, unless it works."
--- Red Green


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keesan AT sdf.lonestar.org
SDF Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf.lonestar.org




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