OS2 World Community Forum
OS/2, eCS & ArcaOS - Technical => Applications => Topic started by: mauro on October 21, 2018, 06:06:50 pm
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good evening, after some successfull software installation thanks to your help (Firefox 45.9 , VLC 3.04, Assoedit), here I am with Cups.
I have a Samsung laser color wireless printer placed in a different room, which I could configure already with Cups on other OS (Ubuntu and TrueOs) bootable in same pc.
Ok, found Cups in ANPM, downloaded/installed the 19 related packages at same time, done.
Now, what's next? I presume must open a browsing interface which will let me proceed with detection and installation of the printer.
Unable to find any system icon for starting Cups, just opened a terminal and typed "cupsd". Believe it is working because after entered the command, cursor goes under the "C:\" prompt, meaning that command should have activated Cups even if in background (no gui).
Then I remembered that Cups can be browsed by Firefox typing localhost:631 in the address window, which i try.
Again it seems to work, Cups menu appears. Next I click on Administration link or Network Printer link, and the page remains searching for a while. After some waiting, Firefox crashes, and I cannot open it anymore.
Is there something else I've missed or should I know for using Cups?
Thank you
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What is the model number of the printer and is it postscript enabled?
If it has a built in postscript engine like my Brother printers (DCP-9020cdw and HL-3170cdw) then you shouldn't need to mess about with cups but it will need you to have a PPD file for the printer.
BTW, I have never managed to get cups for OS/2 to work hence my getting postscript enabled printers.
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right, I know that ppd file is available for my printer model which is also PS enabled, but still need the proper interface that detects it enabling the device to receive printing jobs through the network, this is what Cups does.
Are there other communication possibilities?
Thank you
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Hi
If using ArcaOS there should be Install Printer and Manage Printers in the Desktop -> Computer -> Printers folder.
Alternatively there is a HowTo here http://trac.netlabs.org/ecups/wiki/HowTo
Regards
Pete
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OK, a lot depends on how your printer is seen on the network (all of mine are wired and I have given then a fixed IP address, wireless works the same way from my AP).
I use the PSPRINT.DRV with both printer added through pin.exe using their ppd files. The actual connections are through the SLPR port using the IP address. The only complicated part is the preparing of the ppd for OS/2 use and the readme with the PSPRINT driver explains that.
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good evening, after some successfull software installation thanks to your help (Firefox 45.9 , VLC 3.04, Assoedit), here I am with Cups.
I have a Samsung laser color wireless printer placed in a different room, which I could configure already with Cups on other OS (Ubuntu and TrueOs) bootable in same pc.
Which Samsung printer? I see that there are a number supported Samsung printers but can't say if it is one that is specifically supported or if it would have to be generic.
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C460 xpression. But I mainly need a quick how-to on Cups start, installed in OS2. No ArcaOS; it is Warp 4.5 in Virtualbox.
Thank you
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right, I know that ppd file is available for my printer model which is also PS enabled, but still need the proper interface that detects it enabling the device to receive printing jobs through the network, this is what Cups does.
That's a misconception. The device can receive remote print jobs without involving CUPS.
Are there other communication possibilities?
You can simply print via IP using the LPR command.
For OS/2 desktop use it's better to create at least 2 printer objects.
* for PCL5c or PCL6 printer
* for PostScript printer (you will need the PPD-file form the Windows printer driver - not Linux!)
There are different IP port drivers available for OS/2: SLPR, IP Spool (http://manglais.com/download/ipspool104.zip) ...
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right, I know that ppd file is available for my printer model which is also PS enabled, but still need the proper interface that detects it enabling the device to receive printing jobs through the network, this is what Cups does.
That's a misconception. The device can receive remote print jobs without involving CUPS.
Are there other communication possibilities?
You can simply print via IP using the LPR command.
For OS/2 desktop use it's better to create at least 2 printer objects.
* for PCL5c or PCL6 printer
* for PostScript printer (you will need the PPD-file form the Windows printer driver - not Linux!)
There are different IP port drivers available for OS/2: SLPR, IP Spool (http://manglais.com/download/ipspool104.zip) ...
Fine, this is interesting, Cups means also a lot of software coming together with it that I'd prefer to save if possible, since I just need a connection to my network printer. The problem for me is that I refer to solutions that I'm able to understand or that I already know and possibly with a clear/basic explaination, and in the OS2 case it's else that immediate.
This is why I keep asking by "first time questions".
Thank you
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@ Bogdan,
You say to use the windows ppd and not the Linux one. Any particular reason because I have always used the Linux ppd with the PSPRINT driver.
@ mauro,
See http://www.altsan.org/os2/printing/#cupswiz for the driver and other printer related items. The PSPRINT driver has a very good readme that should take you through the process of setting up a postscript network printer.
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@ Bogdan,
You say to use the windows ppd and not the Linux one. Any particular reason because I have always used the Linux ppd with the PSPRINT driver.
It depends how you transfer the ppd file to the local file system. Linux is using the Unix text format, but it can be converted using the unix2os2 command. For the most Windows packages pkzip and the name of ppd file should be enough.
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right, I know that ppd file is available for my printer model which is also PS enabled, but still need the proper interface that detects it enabling the device to receive printing jobs through the network, this is what Cups does.
That's a misconception. The device can receive remote print jobs without involving CUPS.
Are there other communication possibilities?
You can simply print via IP using the LPR command.
For OS/2 desktop use it's better to create at least 2 printer objects.
* for PCL5c or PCL6 printer
* for PostScript printer (you will need the PPD-file form the Windows printer driver - not Linux!)
There are different IP port drivers available for OS/2: SLPR, IP Spool (http://manglais.com/download/ipspool104.zip) ...
Ok, I've choosen this tips among the others, seems to me the less dispersive (ecups appears more complicated in and shows some other complementary-prerequisites software needed, it is not the "all in one" package that I was looking for. At this point I've run the installation of ipspool, then I've run the utility for creating the printer name, ip address, port,....done. Now: what is next ? PPD driver I guess, but I miss the knowledge here. Could you lead me to complete this task?
Thank you
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Creating a PCL printer object (LaserJet) doesn't need any PPD file. To find a matching model from LASERJET.DRV the information from "Support for ASCII Printers from Hewlett Packard" (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1019534) can be helpful. A later Colour LaserJet model will work fine.
The PPD file is only required for updating the PSPRINT.DRV using the supplied PIN and PPDENC utility programs.
The installation of a printer object is the typical process by DnD an object from inside the *.DRV to your workplace.
Under the "Properties" - "Output Port" of the object the port (IP) can be selected.
It largely depends on your print jobs and applications which object should be used. For slow local networks (WiFi) PCL jobs should be faster.
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Creating a PCL printer object (LaserJet) doesn't need any PPD file. To find a matching model from LASERJET.DRV the information from "Support for ASCII Printers from Hewlett Packard" (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1019534) can be helpful. A later Colour LaserJet model will work fine.
The PPD file is only required for updating the PSPRINT.DRV using the supplied PIN and PPDENC utility programs.
The installation of a printer object is the typical process by DnD an object from inside the *.DRV to your workplace.
Under the "Properties" - "Output Port" of the object the port (IP) can be selected.
It largely depends on your print jobs and applications which object should be used. For slow local networks (WiFi) PCL jobs should be faster.
I'm getting closer.
Installed the Alex Taylor Printer Manager which allowed to set the printer object by selecting it from a list. I've then browsed the OS2 printer list from the Client CD and choosen the HP Color Laserjet, with printer driver Postscript.HP Color Laserjet.PS, connected on port \PIPE\LPD0 created by IPSpool (have configured the correct printer ip address and port 9100). Now, this printer appears in the Firefox print menu, but as I start printing, it give the message "an error occourred while printing" , and of course nothing is being printed
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Trying to send an LPD job to port 9100 is not likely to work. That's the port for raw (a.k.a. JetDirect) IP printing which the \PIPE\LPDx driver is not likely to support. Don't specify a port at all, the driver will automatically send to the correct port for the LPR protocol.
Better still, use an SLPR port rather than a \PIPE\LPDx port.
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Trying to send an LPD job to port 9100 is not likely to work. That's the port for raw (a.k.a. JetDirect) IP printing which the \PIPE\LPDx driver is not likely to support. Don't specify a port at all, the driver will automatically send to the correct port for the LPR protocol.
Better still, use an SLPR port rather than a \PIPE\LPDx port.
ok. Does it mean (sorry to continuously asking for my understanding translation) that I have to restart the IP Spool configuration without indicating the 4 digits number port, and at that point the printer object/driver will find itself the way to the printer ? And/or, what am I supposed to do to have an SLPR port?
sorry again, would like to take the chance for asking you the following : I succeeded to configure the printer on Cups through Firefox and its downloaded PPD file, and also obtained the test page printed (wow!) but the printer exists now only in the Cups config pages in Firefox, no printer object created elswere which should be in an application, not even in the Firefox printing menu itself. I saw that in your Printer Manager on Install Printer item there is a call for Cups printer installation, but beginning by there, then the window closes and i go nowhere. Do you also have an indication for this?
Thank you much
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Sorry Mauro,
But if what you're trying to do is print from Firefox, you can not. Firefox and thunderbird, if you want to print with them, you have to create a pdf in print to file, option. And then print the pdf.
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Hi Mauro,
As roberto says printing direct from firefox for OS/2 is almost impossible. Because of that I have installed an Apple Color Laserwriter to use when printing to file as a PDF.
Regarding printer ports. As I said before I am using PSCRIPT.DRV with the PPDs for both my Brother printers added. To add the SLPR port use the
'Install New Port' button on the 'Output Port' page. Then open the SLPR port propertied and fill in as necessary (mine shows what I have for the postscript printer with PCL I'm not sure).
Since your printer has postscript embedded I would recommend that you use it that way even if it does require you to clean up the PPD and add it to the driver (see the readme included with Alex Taylor's PSPRINT driver for how to do it).
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Hi Mauro,
As roberto says printing direct from firefox for OS/2 is almost impossible. Because of that I have installed an Apple Color Laserwriter to use when printing to file as a PDF.
Regarding printer ports. As I said before I am using PSCRIPT.DRV with the PPDs for both my Brother printers added. To add the SLPR port use the
'Install New Port' button on the 'Output Port' page. Then open the SLPR port propertied and fill in as necessary (mine shows what I have for the postscript printer with PCL I'm not sure).
Since your printer has postscript embedded I would recommend that you use it that way even if it does require you to clean up the PPD and add it to the driver (see the readme included with Alex Taylor's PSPRINT driver for how to do it).
Thanks both Roberto and Ivan, good advice for me that I was testing printer output with the wrong application, I think that it will be better doing on the OS2 advanced editor, which has a printing menu.
Then I tried to apply Ivan suggestions, but below you see what is the result, and here I stop again :
(https://ibb.co/hp02yA)
https://ibb.co/hp02yA (https://ibb.co/hp02yA)
do you think it would be better restarting from an empty printer manager (no printers - no drivers) ? Or should I be more radical, restarting from the saved system image just before all printing software installation consisting in PManager, IP Spool, Cups ?
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What you are seeing could well be because you don't have the SLPR port. I have had a look through my zips archive and found it, just unzip it the the partition yoy have the os2 directory in.
It shouldn't be necessary for you to dump what you have (I have several printers installed which only get used when friends bring something over to be repaired) Once you have the SLPR.pdr and hlp installed in os2\dll it should appear in 'Install new port' page, highlight it and click on add. That should give you the new port for your printer, clocking on propertied will allow you to fill in the necessary information.
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What you are seeing could well be because you don't have the SLPR port. I have had a look through my zips archive and found it, just unzip it the the partition yoy have the os2 directory in.
It shouldn't be necessary for you to dump what you have (I have several printers installed which only get used when friends bring something over to be repaired) Once you have the SLPR.pdr and hlp installed in os2\dll it should appear in 'Install new port' page, highlight it and click on add. That should give you the new port for your printer, clocking on propertied will allow you to fill in the necessary information.
DONE, I just printed a pdf file page! Well, I had posted for 10 minutes an answer to you (now cancelled) which shown an error message on the driver configuration, but soon realized that I was selecting a wrong menu in the PM,
Very well, and I do not need any Cups.
Thanks much