Difference between revisions of "Configuring Printers"
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Printing services in linux are managed by a package called '''CUPS''' which is an abbreviation for "common unix printing system". If it's not already emerged, emerge cups. | Printing services in linux are managed by a package called '''CUPS''' which is an abbreviation for "common unix printing system". If it's not already emerged, emerge cups. | ||
'''$''' sudo emerge -av cups | '''$''' sudo emerge -av cups | ||
| + | CUPS only has a few printer drivers available by default, so in order to improve your options, you can emerge the foomatic packages. | ||
| + | '''$''' sudo emerge -av foomatic-db foomatic-filters | ||
After the emerge completes, start the cups daemon, and add it to startup. | After the emerge completes, start the cups daemon, and add it to startup. | ||
'''$''' sudo /etc/init.d/cupsd start | '''$''' sudo /etc/init.d/cupsd start | ||
'''$''' sudo rc-update add cupsd default | '''$''' sudo rc-update add cupsd default | ||
| − | CUPS administration is now done via a web interface. In order to finish configuring your printer, you'll need to emerge a [[firefox | browser]]. Open your browser and go to ''http://localhost:631/''. | + | CUPS administration is now done via a web interface. In order to finish configuring your printer, you'll need to emerge a [[firefox | browser]]. While you are waiting, ensure your printer is connected to the system. Open your browser and go to ''http://localhost:631/''. Click on "Administration", then "Find New Printers". In most cases CUPS will detect your printer automatically. Click the "Add New Printer" button to begin adding your printer. You can change the printer name if you choose, then click "Continue". |
| + | |||
| + | Cups should automatically detect the best driver for your printer from its foomatic database listing, but if it doesn't, you have the option to change that here. If your drivers isn't listed, you'll need to download a '''.ppd''' file from your printer manufacturer's website to complete the configuration. Click "Add Printer" to complete the installation. You will be prompted to provide a username and password at this point; you'll need to enter '''root''' as the username and your '''root password'''. | ||
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| + | If you've selected the correct driver, your printer should be successfully installed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Troubleshooting === | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you get an error such as "unable to copy .ppd file", try a different driver. In most cases, the generic postscript driver will work. | ||
Latest revision as of 09:05, 10 May 2011
Printing services in linux are managed by a package called CUPS which is an abbreviation for "common unix printing system". If it's not already emerged, emerge cups.
$ sudo emerge -av cups
CUPS only has a few printer drivers available by default, so in order to improve your options, you can emerge the foomatic packages.
$ sudo emerge -av foomatic-db foomatic-filters
After the emerge completes, start the cups daemon, and add it to startup.
$ sudo /etc/init.d/cupsd start $ sudo rc-update add cupsd default
CUPS administration is now done via a web interface. In order to finish configuring your printer, you'll need to emerge a browser. While you are waiting, ensure your printer is connected to the system. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:631/. Click on "Administration", then "Find New Printers". In most cases CUPS will detect your printer automatically. Click the "Add New Printer" button to begin adding your printer. You can change the printer name if you choose, then click "Continue".
Cups should automatically detect the best driver for your printer from its foomatic database listing, but if it doesn't, you have the option to change that here. If your drivers isn't listed, you'll need to download a .ppd file from your printer manufacturer's website to complete the configuration. Click "Add Printer" to complete the installation. You will be prompted to provide a username and password at this point; you'll need to enter root as the username and your root password.
If you've selected the correct driver, your printer should be successfully installed.
Troubleshooting
If you get an error such as "unable to copy .ppd file", try a different driver. In most cases, the generic postscript driver will work.