[SOLVED] HP Laserjet connected to a USB port

[bertil]

Sometimes I like to test different Linux distributions (Live versions).
I find it very strange that in year 2014 several Linux (including your Lite) does not find my HP Laserjet P1102
connected to a USB port. Windows find USB printers since Windows XP about 12 years ago.
So far only Mint Mate, SolydX and XUbuntu have found my printer and I can print.
Some distributions find the printer, but there is no output to the printer.
Some distributions (Bodhi, LUbuntu) did not find my WiFi USB-card (Zyxel).
Sometimes I did not manage to get Swedish characters on my keyboard (WattOS, LUbuntu, Bodhi).
Linux is not ready to replace Windows XP yet.
Perhaps someone has a solution so it is possible to print via USB in Linux Lite.
I tested your Live version 1.08.
Best regards,
Bertil

[Valtam]

Hello bertil, you can install the latest HP driver from here - http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/gethplip.html Windows uses a centralized model for development, where linux is fragmented. At the end of the day, there is still a solution and hey, at least on linux you won't have to worry about malware, viruses etc. A small price to pay for freedom Also look in the Help Manual under Hardware, Printer Setup for more information on HP printers. Cheers

[bertil]

Thank you. I have downloaded the HP driver. I will try to install it.
An update: if the printer is connected to the USB port when booting Linux Lite,
the printer is found, but will not print. Some error with CUPS.
It should not be so complicated if you want to replace Windows with Linux on the desktop.
/Bertil

[N4RPS]

Hello!

Even with Windows, you still need additional software to run most of the newer HP printers. The only difference is that HP packages a CD with the printer containing the Windows drivers and software, where with Linux, you have to download it - which is what you have to do for Windows, also, if you misplace the CD.

Even though the printers come with a software CD, it's still best to download the latest software anyway. There's just no telling HOW many revisions have taken place since the printer was first boxed.

All things considered, Linux has become the best free operating system available, especially in the last few years. Microsoft's Windows has pretty much abandoned older hardware...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[petesoderman]

Yes, Linux might be the best free software in the world, but what good is it if you can't print what you write? I'm having the same issues as the gentleman above, LL sees my printer (1102) but will not print to it. I'm going to have to abandon LL. Just too many problems.

[petesoderman]

Well, I feel like a jerk! Turned out to be an easy fix. Just run "hp-setup" from the terminal, it installs the necessary plugin and the printer in about three steps. It's working fine. I apologize for my tough words above, it's been a long day.

[ohjrson]

Hey petesoderman, and bertil, I feel for you. I have run into that numerous times. Just remember that no OS is absolutely perfect. You will have a few headaches. Especially with HP. Its just the way they operate. I almost always have to use the HP Setup when I do a re-install on one of my machines, but when it is done in most cases it works better. The deal here is that when you have an issue on a LL 2.0 system you can get help without it costing you a fortune. In fact most of the time it is free. (They do ask for donations though ;D ) So if you run into a wall for some reason give us a try but be prepared to be patient.

bertil, try doing what petersoderman did, see if that does not solve your problems, if not come back here and we will be glad to help if we can.

Welcome to LL 2.0
Ohjrson

[N4RPS]

Hello!

I'll have to try hp-setup on my next install that needs HP support. I generally download it so that I add the latest version.

It would seem that issues with HP printers come up frequently here. The fix is always the same: install HPLIP.

http://www.hplipopensource.com

IIRC, HPLIP is mentioned in the LL manual. Hopefully, one day, HP will also put HPLIP for Linux on the same CD...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[shengchieh]

My personal experience:

When a new peripheral comes out, it takes a few months for the driver to float on the internet unless the manufacturer releases a linux driver (for printers, HP does), and then, a few
more months for the linux driver to be included in distros.  Usually Fedora and Arch are "pioneer" distros - have a the latest drivers.  Debian is usually 1.5 years behind, but extremely
stable.  LL is behind ubuntu (correct, Valium?).

Sheng-Chieh

[CaperAsh]

I ran "  hp-setup run  " and it prompted me to install more hplip components. Went into Synaptic Package Manager and asked for the HP Gui and then ran setup again and then it went through some window prompts, downloaded some more firmware, and the printer works fine. Took less than 10 minutes. Thanks for the help above.