Baslinux mailing list

["Anthony Albert" <albert AT umpi.maine.edu>]

On 2 Dec 2005 at 16:05, sindi keesan wrote:
>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.

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.

>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.

>   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.

No, you do not need to set up IP to use the parallel port.

The only advantage to using PostScript as compared to PCL is that it's 
more "standard", and thus, more programs can generate PS as compared to 
the number which can generate PCL.   PCL generally tends to print 
faster, though, especially across a network, as the job sizes are much 
smaller.

>>> 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.

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.

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

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