Linux and printing

mrdinkel · 12-24-2004, 05:12 PM

Alright, so far this is what i've got working in Linux

- all networking aspects
- editing debian menus
- installing debian software.

But what I haven't quite figured out (and quite frankly it may be impossible) is how to get linux to print to my printer. Its done over a USB port, which i know my kernel and everything talk WELL with my USB HDD, my USB mouse.

My printer is a Lexmark X1100 Series, which has all of the devices.

All I've found so far is Linux LPR mode, which is printing over TCP/IP.

Any insight, as I have no drivers for it nor knowledge of print monitor techniques in Linux, would be helpful.

horndude · 12-25-2004, 08:21 AM

check lexmark for drivers(good luck)

like everything else in linux printing is handled in a sort of client server relationship, unfortunately for us users that also means postscript is the native printer language, so if your printer doesnt speak postscript then filtering and other voodoo is needed

LPR is a spooler, so is LP, and CUPS.

CUPS is the easiest to deal with and can administrated via a browser, it also supports a decent number of printers as well as network printing, just make sure if you have CUPS installed you dont have any other printer daemons like LPR running.

goto http://www.linuxprinting.org and have a look around

12-24-2004, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
mrdinkel Ultra Techie Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 584	Linux and printing Alright, so far this is what i've got working in Linux - all networking aspects - editing debian menus - installing debian software. But what I haven't quite figured out (and quite frankly it may be impossible) is how to get linux to print to my printer. Its done over a USB port, which i know my kernel and everything talk WELL with my USB HDD, my USB mouse. My printer is a Lexmark X1100 Series, which has all of the devices. All I've found so far is Linux LPR mode, which is printing over TCP/IP. Any insight, as I have no drivers for it nor knowledge of print monitor techniques in Linux, would be helpful. __________________ A+ Core Hardware, Software Certified (May 13 2005) the new beast... AMD Athlon XP 3200+ Barton running at 2.16 Ghz. GeForce MX 4000 (mainly takes the load off the main system) Creative Labs Audigy 24-bit sound. Some Case from tigerdirect 512 MB Ultra DDR RAM. 80GB Seagate HDD LiteOn CD-RW / DVD ROM drive. currently looking at a litescribe drive at staples, due to its ability to label the CD shortly after being burned.

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12-25-2004, 08:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
horndude Master Techie Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,532	check lexmark for drivers(good luck) like everything else in linux printing is handled in a sort of client server relationship, unfortunately for us users that also means postscript is the native printer language, so if your printer doesnt speak postscript then filtering and other voodoo is needed LPR is a spooler, so is LP, and CUPS. CUPS is the easiest to deal with and can administrated via a browser, it also supports a decent number of printers as well as network printing, just make sure if you have CUPS installed you dont have any other printer daemons like LPR running. goto http://www.linuxprinting.org and have a look around