Hi all,
I asked a set of questions about configuring a new HP LaserJet 2100m
parallel-port printer. In particular, what does the `printer type'
selection in `lprsetup' control, and where is the documentation for
the various print filters.
Thanks go to Nikola Milutinovic, and to Colin Walters for replies.
Nikola mentioned that he had to set rw=false in the printcap, having
had problems in the past. [Advice that is echoed in the Tru64 FAQ
http://tru64.org/faq/tru64_faq.php3#qa69]
He also suggested I get familiar with /etc/printcap. ;-)
Colin Walters [from Compaq] was a big help, pointing out their ``Best
Practices'' article on a filter [available in v5.1] that uses a PPD
[Postscript Printer Description] file. He acknowledged that lack of
documentation for the filters in /usr/lbin, and promised to start
adding them in future releases. Incidentally, the manpage for the
`ps_level2of' filter that I ended up using has been added sometime
between my release (v4.0F) and v5.0, and it can be found on the web
at
http://tru64unix.compaq.com/faqs/publications/pub_page/doc_list.html.
I eventually chose `ps_level2of' as a filter, and the printer is
working fine. The moral of the story is: learn what every entry in
your printcap is doing, and especially check the rw setting.
-Steve
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I never did get an answer as to exactly what is the difference between
filters, e.g. `ps_level1of' and `ps_level2of'. These filters
share the same manpage, and no difference is documented, that I can
see. Furthermore, filters `hplaser4psof', `hplaserof', and
`hplaserpsof' are completely undocumented, at the moment.
Just for fun, I tried the following experiment:
echo goody | /usr/lbin/hplaser4psof
echo goody | /usr/lbin/hplaserof
echo goody | /usr/lbin/hplaserpsof
The first two appear to be trying to reset the printer; they
write out some control characters, wait a bit (for a response?),
time out and write the string "goody" (preceeded by some more control
characters).
This suggests that one needs a bidirectional connection to the printer for
it to work.
The third filter just writes out a postscript boilerplate with
the text inside. The same thing happens when I experiment with
`ps_level1of' and `ps_level2of'.
I re-ran `lprsetup', and chose `hpIV' to see what happens. It uses the
`hplaserof' filter, but DOES NOT turn on :rw: in the printcap. So maybe
that was my problem. I actually don't remember what settings I chose when
I first plugged in the printer, unfortunately.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The original question.
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 22:50:39 -0400 (EDT)
From: Steven Michael ROBBINS <stever_at_jeff.cs.mcgill.ca>
To: tru64-unix-managers_at_sws1.ctd.ornl.gov
Subject: setup for LaserJet 2100M ?
Hi,
The following applies to a v4.0F system.
A prof. just plugged his shiny new HP LaserJet 2100m printer
into the parallel port of his Tru64 machine, and asked me to
configure it.
Of course, the CD that came with it had instructions & drivers
only for Microsoft OSes.
Of course, neither HP nor Compaq has any easily-findable information on
their web about how to connect these two together.
Of course, when I ran `lprsetup' or `printconfig' on the alpha,
this printer was not among the available choices.
So I guessed, and chose HP6-something-or-other from the lprsetup
options. Of course, it didn't work.
I tried `ps_level2' ... amazingly (to me) it worked!
But is it optimal?
What does the "printer type" choice in `lprsetup' control? Input & output
filters for printcap, I'd imagine, but anything else?
I ended up with /usr/lbin/ps_level2of for the `if' and `of' termcap
settings. Would I be better off with something else, like
`ps_level2of_isolatin1', or one of the `hplaser*' things in /usr/lbin?
[Where is the documentation of these? `man hplaserof' returns nothing.]
Anyone else with a 2100-series printer connected to a tru64 machine?
Thanksabunch,
-Steve
Received on Tue Oct 17 2000 - 22:20:00 NZDT