MFC 5440CN install update-- SUCCESS!!!!!

[kge420]

I received a reply from Brother in Japan. Can anyone help with these instructions?

This is the Japanese Solutions Center.
Thank you for your inquiry.

I am sorry that a reply is late.

Please perform the following methods.

It is a check first.
It is assumed that this package has a PPD storing directory of CUPS in
/usr/share/cups/model/or /usr/share/ppd.
If VectorLinux in use has PPD storing directory of CUPS in another
directory,
please copy /usr/share/cups/model/brmfc5440 cn_cups.ppd there.
And please click and install "Add Printer" in http://localhost:631/admin.

1.Please install csh/tcsh first.
2.Next, please put attached mfc5440cnlpr-1.0.1.tgz on root (/).
 Please expand by
 cd /
 tar zxf  mfc5440cnlpr-1.0.1.tgz
3.Please perform /usr/install/doinst.sh
4.Next, please put attached cupswrapperMFC5440CN-1.0.2.tgz on root (/).
 Please expand by
 cd /
 tar zxf  /cupswrapperMFC5440CN-1.0.2.tgz
5.Please perform /usr/install/doinst.sh
6.Please open http://localhost:631/printers by the browser, and check that
there is MFC5440CN.
 It is not "MFC-5440CN" but "MFC5440CN." Be careful.
7.Please click Modify Printer and change DeviceURI into
lpd://xx.xx.xx.xx/binary_p1 according to directions.
 xx.xx.xx.xx is an IP address.


Best regards,
Brother Solutions Center
2 attachments — Download all attachments 
   mfc5440cnlpr-1.0.1.tgz
727K   Download 
   cupswrapperMFC5440CN-1.0.2.tgz
12K   Download 
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   Thanks, Keith

[exeterdad]

Holy Smokes! They actually attempted to help?  Brother is known not to be very helpful to the Linux community.  I have a Brother DCP1000 that is collecting dust since I've moved to VL5.9.  I've had it running many times, I just don't want to mess with the install/hacking and hairpulling involved in setting it up.  It's just a black and white laser printer.  I have still have ink in my HP

Have you tried the directions step by step?  They are rather dry, but seem complete just by reading them.

[kge420]

I haven't attempted an install following these instructions yet. I don't know about csh/tcsh and didn't want to try until I know I have everything in order. I have been trying to get this up and running just because I can't. While reading posts on other linux forums I know I'm not alone. If this can be worked out I think quite a few people will benefit from it. My dealings with Brother in Japan have been going on for about 5 weeks and while they are slow to respond they do seem to care. Thanks, Keith

[rbistolfi]

Hi Keith, the shell scripts provided will probably not work with bash. You can try the tcsh slackware package from here:

http://slackware.osuosl.org/slackware-12.0/slackware/a/tcsh-6.15.00-i486-1.tgz

HTH

[kge420]

I KNOW,I'M SHOUTING!!!  We finally got the printer to work. We meaning VL forums, Brother support Japan and myself. I followed the instructions above and it worked. Huge thanks to all, Keith  ps I don't know how, but can this be put together and passed along to whomever may need it?

[kidd]

I'd be great if you joined all the info you gathered related with that issue, and wrote a howto for the wiki...
Tricky hardware should be covered there IMO.  This way we could update it when new versions come, or new solutions.

Glad it worked kge420!

[kge420]

kidd, I would love to write a how-to. I've been anxious to help ever since I installed VL5.9. I don't know my way around all that well but I am willing to try. Is it possible for me to post the PPD file for this printer and would that help? I can send the links to the .tgz files that Brother sent me. Thanks, Keith

[exeterdad]

The PPD file won't be enough.  Brother has it's own printing lingo called "Brotherscript".  A user would need the whole she-bang.  Also the setup will make a udev rule specific to your printer, printcap entries and other stuff.
I've toyed with the idea of packaging the driver for my Brother printer, but it would only benefit the few and unfortunate people that own that specific printer.  Not sure if it would be worth the blood, sweat and tears.  It would be very difficult.  And may violate copyrights and such.

Brothers drivers irritate me anyway.  They release a printer driver for LPR or LPRNG.  Both are vintage and rarely used.  To use with cups you need a wrapper.  You don't normally have both print systems installed, but for the rpm's to install without hacking, you must have them both.  Stupid.

On one of my LFS systems I compiled and installed LPRNG and stayed away from CUPS since I wanted less bloat.  Worked really well but the learning curve is very steep.

[kge420]

  exeterdad, ouch! I just worked for about 6 weeks on getting this printer working and it seems it will only help me. A good bit of my motivation was hoping to help someone with the same problem.  Thanks, Keith