Baslinux mailing list

[sindi keesan <keesan AT sdf.lonestar.org>]

> > 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> BasLinux mailing list
> BasLinux AT lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/baslinux

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