Newbie just installed ubuntu edgy Deskjet wont work

[MikePooley]

Hi all :)
I am a new convert to Linux so know almost nothing at all.
I want desperately to dump windows but i need to get my hardware working before i can.
So I tried installing my DJ980c by downloading a file from HP and using the command line to install it. I got an error and it wouldnt work.:mad:

This was before i realised that ubuntu had a graphical interface to install my printer and the driver as well!! which was a pleasant surprise.
So I installed and tried a test page and nothing happened?
My printer is plugged in to my network router via usb BTW
what is a ppd file -??
help me to dump windows please :eek:

Mike

[banzaikai]

So, if you have all the cups-{whateverdaemons} and HPLIP/HPIJS modules installed, then you're facing one sad fact of life:

Not all printers like being attached to a network print server.

Rule-of-thumb is that most lasers and only some inkjet/impact line printers can be used. My experience with the following:

Brother HL-600/1040/1240/1440, Laserjet 4/5/1100, Epson SC-660 (on parallel port of server), and Canon BJC-4100 all worked fine.
The problems I had were with any of the "host-based" or multi-function jobbies (the HP PhotoSmart 7550, PSC-1610, LJ-1012, etc.), since these things need to talk back to the host, and most print servers don't do this (or don't do it the way the printer wants to).

Test this out by plugging the 980 into your computer directly, and setting it as a local printer. If you get the test page, then you know it's the server/printer combo, and not cups/linux.

Info on cups and the 980 can be found here. (http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=HP-DeskJet_980C)

My printer is plugged in to my network router via usb BTW
what is a ppd file -??
Also, what settings does the router have for it's server? What protocol does it support (lpd, smb, etc.)? We'll need to know what URI is listed - it should be something like "lpd://192.168.1.xx/lp0". Once you have the proper URI, then you need the "PostScript® Printer Definition (ppd)" file. Linux works by using PostScript® natively, and then converting the final output to whatever the printer understands (usually a ps-to-raster conversion). So, you'd need the hpdj980c.ppd file for cups to know how to convert from PostScript® to the line-by-line (rasterized) mode of the 980.

I'd suggest using Synaptic (or whatever Ubuntu has) to see if there's a deb for the HPLIP (Fedora has it as an rpm), and to grab any cups-daemons, foomatics, and ghost-print utilities (see the above link to check what you'll need).

banzai "Serving printers since 1988" kai

[MikePooley]

Ok thanks
the printer works fine on my windows network?
I have tried installing it as a local printer as you say by attatching it directly but althought the installer finds and recognises it it still wont do anything.
From what you are saying i need a PPD file and when i install it ,it does ask for one but i havnt a clue where to get one?

whats a DEB? lol
thanks
Mike

[MikePooley]

oh I forgot my printer address on the network is HTTP://192.168.2.1:1631:printers/My_Printer
My router is a U.S Robotics MaxG
how do i find out what protocol it supports? i cant see anything when i open it in opera

[je_fro]

perhaps you meant http://192.168.2.1:631

[banzaikai]

No, he did mean
http://192.168.2.1:1631:printers/My_Printer
(as per instructions here. (http://www.usr.com/support/5461/5461-ug/linux_printer.html)) USR even gives the setup tutorial using an HP DJ940 as the example. Cool.
From what you are saying i need a PPD file and when i install it ,it does ask for one but i havnt a clue where to get one?
Yup, looks like that's what ya need. Did you hit the link above (to linuxprinting.org)? Did you install the HPLIP? This'll give you the proper ppd.
how do i find out what protocol it supports?
By reading the manual. According to the web site, it's IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). IPP is fully supported in modern Linux distros. Use the USR link above to see how easy it is.
whats a DEB?
It's an easily installable file that takes care of all the compiling/setup issues for you. So, you'll be using the package manager, which will find the requested "xxx.yyy.zzz.DEB", and install it for you. On the RedHat/Fedora distros, it's called "RPM". So, you'll just want to find and install the "hplip*.deb" through apt-get or Synaptic (or whatever Ubuntu is using these days).

banzai ".deb-U-taunt" kai

[i845_]

A related question:

My printer (an HP DeskJet 656c) gets detected by Ubuntu; cups is even able to install a driver for the same. I am, however, unable to print (the printer takes in pages from the tray all right, but nothing gets printed).

My printer is directly connected to my machine (via USB).

[je_fro]

(the printer takes in pages from the tray all right, but nothing gets printed).

When that happens to me it means I'm using the wrong driver...I usually head over to linuxprinting.org and grab the specific .ppd for my printer, put it in /etc/cups/ppd and install it through firefox.

[banzaikai]

i845...

Make sure the printer itself is okay. From HP website:
HP Deskjet 656c printer
Running a diagnostic-test
Regular
1. Turn the printer on.
2. Press and hold the POWER button.
3. Press the RESUME button five times.
4. Release the POWER button.
That should run an internal test page out of it. If you still get a blank page, then you're out of ink (or something more catastrophic). If it looks okay, then we're back to those HPLIP (http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=HP-DeskJet_656C) drivers.

banzai "inked" kai

[crow2icedearth]

(the printer takes in pages from the tray all right, but nothing gets printed).

wrong driver :)

When that happens to me it means I'm using the wrong driver...I usually head over to linuxprinting.org and grab the specific .ppd for my printer, put it in /etc/cups/ppd and install it through firefox.

yeah its due to wrong driver. i have had same problem before. just make sure you use the correct ppd and it should work speaking of printers i need to buy more ink my printer is out......