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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: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 16:05:55 +0000 (UTC)

On Fri, 2 Dec 2005, Anthony Albert wrote:

On 1 Dec 2005 at 20:05, sindi keesan wrote:
We were given two postscript-capable network printers, the older one
(working) an HP with parport, BNC and RJ45 connectors (probably 10Mbit)
and the newer one (not yet working - gets a checksum error when I load the
printer software to the hard drive we put into it) a color laser printer
with parport and RJ45 that is 10 or 100MBit (the printer came with
either option, post 1998). Even 10MBit would be faster than parport.

I could download a 32MB network management program to send files to the
printer over a network, but I think I can also ftp them over a crossover
cable if I can assign an IP number to the printer - how can I do that with
BL? The manual assumes an ethernet hub, which I also have but have not
used. ftp 192.168.1.x, bin, put filename.ps, bye. Presumably I could
also set up a plip connection - does ftp work via plip? There is even a
serial port. The thing has a 133MHz cpu and 4 SIMM slots and a scsi
controller. But no keyboard (just a few menu type buttons) and a very
minimal screen.

The "network management program" likely isn't just the drivers - those
you can usually get separately, but also a setup/configuration program
(DOS/Windows only, sorry) which is quite handy, if you're going to set

They actually have versions for linux and AIX and SunOS, etc. QMS-Konica-Minolta. But 32MB is at least 4 hours download for me.
First I need to get the 10MB OS onto the hard drive (which can be up to 2.2G!). Checksum error. The tech support person had no idea what a checksum was but someone else will call.

the printer up in a networked mode. If you're going to use the
parallel port, you probably don't need to do any config, though you can
go through the menus if need be.

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

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.

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?

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.

Do I need a static IP to use the parallel port? Is there any advantage to using ps rather than HP lj format (is this PCL 5?) to print a scanned monochrome image? I have pnmtops and pbmtolj. Ethernet should be faster.

How would I write a printcap for a ps printer on lp0? If I use the
ethernet connection do I replace /dev/lp0 with /dev/eth0 (and for serial
with ttyS0) and ifconfig eth0 and what else needs changing?

A friend got these from a warehouse that was going to dump them and they
are huge (2' cubes) so he gave them to us, knowing we have a bit of floor
space left.

The laser printer I currently use is a early office model Panasonic
that I rescued from the dumpster. It's not fast ( 2-4 ppm ) but works
well within its limits. Keep using it until it can't be used any more,
is my motto!

This one claims up to 16 ppm (5% black) or 4 ppm color, but photos will probably take much longer. I will use it until the toner runs out ($50 per color). Have you had any luck moving toner between different models of cartridge?

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.

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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