Installing a Printer

Support knowledgebase (jsmeix_print-einrichten)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions up to (including) 7.3

Situation:

You want to install your printer. If you are running SuSE Linux 8.0, 8.1, or 8.2, proceed as described in the support database articles "Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.0", "Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.1", or "Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.2". Find these articles with the keyword "installing" or "installation". In case of problems, check whether the prerequisites below are fulfilled. For older versions from 6.4 on, proceed as described in the support database article "Installing a Printer Since SuSE Linux 6.4". Find this article with the keyword "installing". First, check that the prerequisites below are fulfilled.

Regarding SuSE Linux PowerPC, see the article Installing a Printer for PowerPC. Regarding SuSE Linux AXP, see the article Installing a Printer for AXP. Regarding SuSE Linux for S390, see the article Installing a Printer for S390.

Procedure

I) Prerequisites

II) Selection of the Suitable Ghostscript Driver

Among the information sources mentioned in section 1: "Prerequisites", the correct Ghostscipt drivers for the different printer models are listed.

In file
/usr/doc/packages/ghostscript/catalog.devices (since SuSE Linux 7.0 /usr/share/doc/packages/ghostscript/catalog.devices), find a list of Ghostscipt drivers and a selection of supported printers. To read this file, use the following command:
less /usr/doc/packages/ghostscript/catalog.devices
(since SuSE Linux 7.0
less /usr/share/doc/packages/ghostscript/catalog.devices)
Use arrow keys to scroll and Q to quit.

If you do not find your printer model, choose a Ghostscipt driver for a printer that is compatible with your printer. Refer to the manual of your printer or ask the manufacturer. (See Purchase of Printers and Compatibility)

There is a special kind of Ghostscript driver with the extension .upp. This kind of driver are not regular Ghostscript drivers, but parameter files for the uniprint Ghostscript driver.

Since SuSE Linux 6.4. you can choose the paper size a4dj during the configuration, which is necessary for most ink jet printers. (See Setting the Page Size of ASCII files)

If you have a real PostScript printer, you do not need a special Ghostscipt driver.

Up to SuSE Linux Version 7.3

III) Configuration using SETUP (or lprsetup):

  1. Log in on a text-based console as user root. If you are using a graphical login, switch to a text-based console with [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[F2]. To switch back to the graphical interface, use [Alt]+[F7].
  2. Either type
    /var/lib/apsfilter/SETUP
    or
    lprsetup
  3. Press ENTER to get to the menu APSFILTER SETUP.
  4. Choose ENTRY, then DEVICE and PARALLEL
  5. Type /dev/lp0 (if it is not displayed already) and choose OK
  6. Choose PRINTER
  7. Select from POSTSCRIPT, HEWLETT-PACKARD, OTHER, or FREEDEF
  8. Select COMMIT
  9. Scroll the list and select the correct Ghostscript driver or the suitable parameter file and select OK
  10. Specify the correct resolution. Leave the default setting only if you do not know the correct resolution. If nothing leads to a satisfying result, try 300 or 360. If you are using a .upp parameter file, the resolution must correspond with the one in the parameter file. Confirm with OK.
  11. Choose RETURN then PAPER.
  12. Scroll in the following list until you find the correct paper size (normally a4dj) and confirm with OK.
  13. Next, select COLOR.
  14. Choose between MONO and COLOR then confirm with OK.
  15. If you use SuSE Linux 6.4 or 7.0 and have already installed the standard spooling queues, you can specify your own queue name during the configuration of additional spooling queues by using SPECIAL and NAME (see Installing a Printer Since SuSE Linux 6.4)
  16. Choose ADD. You will get a list of the printer spooling queues installed on your system by the apsfilter configuration. If you have chosen COLOR, for example:
               ascii ... a4dj ascii mono
               lp ... a4dj auto color
               lp-mono ...  a4dj auto mono
               raw ... a4dj raw
         
    or, if you have chosen MONO,
               ascii ... a4dj ascii mono
               lp ... a4dj auto mono
               raw ... a4dj raw
         
    Write down the installed printer spooling queues, in this example ascii, lp, (lp-mono), and raw. Confirm with OK.
  17. Press ENTER to proceed
  18. Choose RETURN then EXIT.

IV) Testing the printer

V) If the printer does not print

If the prerequisites are met and you followed the above instructions, the printer should work now. For more information, refer to the manuals. For special cases, see Printer Problems: Special Causes

VI) Problems when printing from application programs

For information, refer to the manuals or the support database article Printing from Applications.


See also:
o Printer Configuration from SuSE Linux 8.2
o Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.1
o Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.0
o Purchase of Printers and Compatibility
o Installing a Printer from SuSE Linux 6.4 to 7.3
o Printer: Reinstalling a printer
o PRINTING: Setting the Page Size of ASCII files.
o GDI Printers
o Printing via TCP/IP network
o Installing a USB Printer
o Printer Problems: Special Causes
o YaST2 Printer Configuration doesn't work for PCL5/6 Printers (Driver ljet4)

Keywords: PRINTER, PRINTING, GHOSTSCRIPT, UNIPRINT, INSTALLATION, NETWORK PRINTER

Categories: Frequently asked Questions , Documentation , Printer

SDB-jsmeix_print-einrichten, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 09. Aug 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 04. Jul 2003 by jsmeix (sdb_gen 1.40.0)