Setting up VL 5.8 with an Epson Printer - SOLVED

[Martin109]

I'm running VL 5.8 Standard.
My printer is Epson Stylus Photo 890.

I've downloaded a file called gutenprint-5.0.1-1lsb3.1.i486.rpm

What are the next steps I need to take to be able to print?  I've looked at a few help pages, but don't really understand what they're telling me.

Is there a simple Vectorbie's step-by-step guide?

[nightflier]

Preferred way to install software would be to use the gslapt package manager. It should be on your start menu. Hit the refresh button and then search for your package.

Next choice should be manual install of packages for your distro. Here is gutenprint:
http://ftp.oregonstate.edu/pub/vectorlinux/veclinux-5.8/packages/base-apps/gutenprint-5.0.0-i586-2vl58.tlz
Download package, open a terminal (command prompt, shell), type su and the root password, then
installpkg (/path/to)gutenprint-5.0.0-i586-2vl58.tlz

You may not even need to do this. Set up your printer using CUPS. Run vasm, select service, then cupsweb.

[Martin109]

Thanks nightflier.

It seems as if the gutenprint package is installed OK, as it is listed by the Gslapt package manager (blue square icon).

I have tried to run the VASM CUPS manager, but it seems to be referring to network printer setup, whereas mine is simply connected via a parallel cable, and the notes suggest it should be listed, but it isn't.

[Martin109]

Searching around, I wonder if I could use lpadmin to do the same job? 

Would something like this work?

/usr/sbin/lpadmin -p epson -E -v parallel /dev/lp0 -m <probablyEpsonSomething>.ppd

If so, what's the correct .ppd file?

The command 'locate .ppd | grep 890' (to find files relating to my Epson Stylus Photo 890) came up with:

/usr/share/cups/model/C/escp2-890.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/C/pcl-890.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-pcl-890.5.0.sim.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-escp2-890.5.0.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-escp2-890.5.0.sim.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-escp2-pma890.5.0.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-escp2-pma890.5.0.sim.ppd.gz
/usr/share/cups/model/gutenprint/5.0/C/stp-pcl-890.5.0.ppd.gz
/usr/share/ppd/HP/HP-DeskJet_890C-hpijs.ppd.gz

The last one's obviously a rogue element!

They've all got .ppd in them, but what's .gz?

I think I've probably got all the files I need, but don't know how to link them together properly.

[nightflier]

Not familiar with lpadmin.. I use KDE and it shows the locally connected printers in the printer wizard.

Is your parallel port is initialized?
Use vasm > service > hwset and make sure parallel is checked

[Martin109]

Is your parallel port is initialized?
Use vasm > service > hwset and make sure parallel is checked

It appears that it wasn't.
I've used vasm > service > hwset and made sure parallel is checked.

When attempting to print from Abiword, a dialog comes up with:

Create a PDF document
Generic Postscript
Epson                     Printing 1

It's the 'Generic Postscript' that's selected even though Epson states 'Printing', but nothing is happening at the printer.

Opening a terminal and typing 'lp' or 'lpr' brings up: lp (or lpr): Error - no default destination available

So, as far as I can see, Abiword now knows about the Epson printer and thinks it's send a job to it, but the printer doesn't know about it.

[nightflier]

Did you use CUPS to set up the printer? It can be accessed in your browser at this address:
http://localhost:631/

From the CUPS interface you can print a test page. Does that work?

[Martin109]

OK, now the printer is shown under CUPS, whereas before it wasn't.

If I click on 'Printers', it comes up:

"Printer not connected; will retry in 30 seconds..."

Description: epson
Location:
Make and Model: Local Raw Printer
Printer State: processing, accepting jobs, published.
Device URI: parallel

As the location is blank, perhaps CUPS doesn't know how to connect to it.

Can't print test page, it just hangs.

[Martin109]

If I try and modify anything or try setting the printer up again, I'm asked for authentication, but it does not accept my username and password, or the root username and password.

[lagagnon]

Username has to be "root" (small caps)
And whatever password you gave root when you installed the system (and case matters).

[Martin109]

Yes, that's what I've done.

root
<password> in same case as original

[nightflier]

As the location is blank, perhaps CUPS doesn't know how to connect to it.

That should not make any difference. I would try starting over, deleting all printers and adding it again, using the browser interface. For user root there has to be a password. If password is blank, it will not work.

[Martin109]

Thanks, nightflier.

I didn't know about specifically having to have a root password - 

I've followed your suggestions and got a bit further.  The CUPS system found two printers for Parallel_Port_1, Canon and Epson.  Why it came up with Canon, I don't know.  I selected Epson, and chose a file from the many gutenprint files listed.  CUPS now displays:

Description: EPSON
Location: Local Printer
Make and Model: Generic PCL 5 Printer - CUPS+Gutenprint v5.0.0 Simplified
Printer State: idle, accepting jobs, published.
Device URI: epson:/dev/lp0


However, if I try to print a test page, nothing happens, except CUPS keeps refreshing its page and the printer job(s), but the printer doesn't respond.  (The printer IS connected to the parallel port, and it IS switched on!)

Attempting to print a file from a text editor also produces nothing.

In a terminal, if I type lp, it still brings up lp: Error - no default destination available

I've also set this printer as the default printer.

[nightflier]

Make and Model: Generic PCL 5 Printer - CUPS+Gutenprint v5.0.0 Simplified

In the process of adding the printer you should get to a page where you select your printer make/manufacturer. Select Epson. Next page has a long list of models. Look for the entry for your Epson Stylus Photo 890 (it's way down the list on my installation).

[Martin109]

Thanks, nightflier.

I shall next be back at my VL machine on Thursday, so will give this a go then.