OS2World OLD-STATIC-BACKUP Forum

OS/2 - Technical => Hardware => Topic started by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.07, 23:55:42

Title: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.07, 23:55:42
Thanks for all the help with the input devices, (Mouse and KB). I am having problems setting up a printer, an OKI C5510MFP. I is installed on a network, as well as USB. I dont have a clue how to set up either, I have not set up an OS2 orinter since the days of LPT ports. Well, if any one could give me a walk through it would help.

TIA Bob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: RobertM on 2008.11.08, 00:15:18
USB PRINTING:



For USB print support, you need to find and un-REM the USB print support driver in the config.sys file (and reboot). After that, USB should be a connection option under "OUTPUT PORT" on the printer's properties notebook.

If you cannot find a USBPRINT line in your config.sys, you need to add it - use the same calling conventions/format as used for USB Mouse..



















NETWORK PRINTING:



METHOD #1 (Assumes you have a network port driver for the printer - unlikely):
For network printing - IF you have a network port driver, there are instructions in the help files. Load any help file, go to the "Search all help files" tool (or in the original help viewer, go to Services->Search and then select "Search all libraries"). Search for "Creating a Network Port" - it should bring you to a very simple instruction page that gets you on your way.




METHOD #2 (the method that you probably need):
For this method, open the printer's object properties notebook, right click on the PIPE\LPD0 port and select "Properties" - from there, access the help information for detailed instructions on how to set it up (and note the requirement for ensuring LPRPORTD is running. You can have it autostart as an icon in the startup folder, or enable it as a network service autostart in the TCPCFG2 (TCPCFG for Warp 4 16bit TCP stack and earlier) notebook. You can find it on the "Autostart" tab in the Autostarted Services list.

In addition, if you have more than one network printer, you can click on the "Printing" tab in the TCPCFG/TCPCFG2 notebook and increase the number (the default, if memory serves, is 1 network printer - thus one port available via a printer's object properties). Then simply (for each printer) configure a port (use a different port, such as PIPE\LPD0, PIPE\LPD1, etc for each network printer) with the required information for the location of the printer. I am guessing that using such a printer will be easiest if it has a static IP address. Simply assign it one, and ensure that your router's (or NAT device's) DHCP pool range is set to not assign whatever IP address you give the printer. For instance:

- Set the printer to 192.168.0.200
- Set the DHCP params in the router/NAT device to only assign IP's from the 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.199 range (assuming router is at 192.168.0.1).



If your network is already set up with static routes, then the above steps related to DHCP do not apply of course.





Hope that helps! If not, let us know.
Robert
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.08, 04:15:43
I am able to initialize the printer, via USB and as a netwrok printer, the printer panel displays "Printing ..." but the printer throws an error light "Invalid data received" Maybe I need to use a different driver?
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: RobertM on 2008.11.08, 04:26:41
Quote from: rdonnelly on 2008.11.08, 04:15:43
I am able to initialize the printer, via USB and as a netwrok printer, the printer panel displays "Printing ..." but the printer throws an error light "Invalid data received" Maybe I need to use a different driver?

It sounds like that.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.08, 15:35:40
It sounds as if I may have to make my own driver with a PPD.

http://www.os2world.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,63/topic,1272.msg8744/#msg8744

I looked in the windows 386 cab, with no look on the PPD for that printer.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Pete on 2008.11.09, 05:21:48
Hi Bob

I'm not very "up" on writing PPD files but did have some success about 2 years ago with modifying a CUPS PPD file so that CUPS worked at a basic level with the printer concerned - a Canon iP4000.

The trick was to edit an existing CUPS PPD file for a similar make/model to reflect the capabilities of the printer to use; I seem to recall it was mainly change Resolution, PageSize , MediaType and InputSlot - oh, and make/model details plus the filename that you save the edited PPD file to.

With a bit of luck you will be able to then use it with CUPS for eCS(OS/2) http://svn.netlabs.org/ecups

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: RobertM on 2008.11.09, 06:28:29
Bob,

Does the printer support postscript? If not, I fear you will not find a PPD file to convert.

Robert
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Saijin_Naib on 2008.11.09, 10:41:57
Pretty sure my HP-PSC is not Post-Script compatible but Linuxprinting.org has a PPD file for damned near every printer in existence.

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting

Give it a go :)
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.09, 15:41:37
Here is the answer from Oki.

Bob,

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

This model machine does not support postscript. Postscript drivers are
unavailable for this printer.


If we can do anything else for you in the future, please don't hesitate to
ask!
Also, you may be interested to know that Oki Data has now launched
my.okidata.com, which allows you to access Personalized Solutions
information for all your Oki Data Products.

Your Personal Solutions Specialist

Kevin

S_N, I will take a look at the Linix site, but I am not sure it is going to help me being my printer does not support PS? I will at least try it.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.09, 16:18:54
I found some specs, It says it takes a Windows GDI Driver? What does that compare too?

http://www.ciao.co.uk/OKI_C5510_MFP__6606301#productdetail

This PDF says it is Hiper C http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu.ra8hZJENcAFSpXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBybnZlZnRlBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=12vqji9da/EXP=1226327130/**http%3a//www.okidata.com/canada_en/downloads/pres_server4_compat_20060529.pdf

I am begining to think that running this printer in eCS is a lost cause. :'(
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Saijin_Naib on 2008.11.09, 19:23:33
GDI is (was) the Windows graphics subsystem that was used for nearly everything except complex 3D or accelerated video (DirectX replaced GDI for that). GDI has been replaced for printing in Vista by a new XML based subsystem which is what .XPS files are. They are XML based raw printer output similar to PDF files. In any case, dig through that linuxprinting site, there should be a ppd for it.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rudi on 2008.11.09, 20:31:39
Quote from: rdonnelly on 2008.11.09, 16:18:54
I found some specs, It says it takes a Windows GDI Driver? What does that compare too?

GDI printers contain only a dumb printing mechanic. In order to make these devices extra
cheap, the whole data processing / page rendering is done in the (Windows-) driver. They
don't use any standard printer language (like Postscript or PCL).

Quote
I will take a look at the Linix site, but I am not sure it is going to help me being my printer
does not support PS?

The Linux printing system (CUPS) does support some of of those GDI printers. This is done by
emulating a Postscript printer. That means that instead of sending Postscript data directly to
the printer, it is captured. The page is then rendered by software (usually some GhostScript
derivate) and then converted into something the printer might understand. The PPD informs the
application and/or the standard postscript printer driver about the specifics of the emulated printer.

There is an OS/2 port of CUPS. However, I don't know whether the original (Linux-) CUPS will
support the particular printer you have, nor if the OS/2 version is mature/stable/feature-complete
enough to be considered.

Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Pete on 2008.11.09, 22:21:03
Hi Bob

If the C5540MFP or C5550MFP are the same product line as the C5510MFP there is a good chance that the PPD files will work with minor editing.

Looking at the 2 PPD files for the above printers there only difference is the model name... so  suggest you grab the PPD here and see if you can get it to work with CUPS http://openprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.cgi?driver=Postscript&printer=Oki-C5550_MFP&show=1

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.10, 00:35:28
The 5540 and 5550 are both post script. The 5510 is proprietory windoze. I could not find a PPD for the 5510 in linux or any where on the web. Could not even find a Mac OS PPD. May have to go with a separate printer, if I want to migrate to OS/2?


Thanks Bob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Pete on 2008.11.11, 21:43:59
Hi Bob

Sorry, maybe I was not making my thoughts clear...

CUPS works with non-Postscript printers - if you have a PPD file.

The C5540/C5550 PPD files are just to give you a starting point in creating your own C5510 PPD file for use with CUPS. You would need to set all values to be specific to the C5510 - PageSize etc - and remove any sections not relevant to the C5510.

When you get CUPS and the printer working OK the next step is to hook it up to the Desktop. By looking through the (earlier) "CUPS how to" you will see how to create an eCS(OS/2) printer object to work with a CUPS installation.

A bit of work involved but if you have the time and want to get the printer working...

Regards

Pete


Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.12, 01:01:08
Thanks Pete, I have some reading to do, I will give it a try when I get some free time.

Bob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.17, 03:27:51
Well I visited the excellent web page: http://svn.netlabs.org/ecups/wiki/HowTo

Cups Website
http://localhost:631/

Add Printer

Name OkiC5510MFP
Location Office
Description Laser Printer

Continue

Device C5510 192.168.15.103 (C5510)
I selected this device, because it matched and had same IP

continue

Model
Their is no driver for this device, I picked
Generic PCL 6/PCL XL LF Printer-Cups+Gutenprint v5.2.0-beta3 Simplified (en)

Add Printer

Configure printer (poor match for my printer)

Click on OkiC5510MFP and go to printers page

Print Test Page

Nothing Happened

When I change the device to:
lpd://192.168.15.103/

Print test page

The printer initializes then throws a data error

So far, things are not going well. I have a $1500.00US printer that wont print off of my $200.00 OS  :-\
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.20, 00:21:52
Well, this is what eCS support had to say about using this printer:

(0006065) Joachim (administrator) - 2008-11-17 23:49
http://bugs.ecomstation.nl/view.php?id=2272#6065
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If this is a GDI printer it is (almost) impossible to support, as all
intelligence is in the (windows) driver and not the printer itself. There
is no way for us to support that. If you can find a PPD (I found one for
an Oki C5550 MFP) then it should be possible to get it to work with Cups.

So, does any one know what  EXACT uri I should be using for this machine? It is a network printer on IP address 192.168.15.103
Dual booting to windoze is getting kind of old.

TIA Bob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: warpcafe on 2008.11.20, 10:37:45
Hi Bob,

I searched the OKI specs for the C5510MFP:
http://www.oki.co.uk/fcgi-bin/public.fcgi?cid=125&pid=5&prid=536&pdflag=1

This thing is a GDI printer, meaning it does not support any PCL or PS commands. This also explains why there is no Linux or Mac printer driver for it. You will never make it run on eCS unless someone figures out a windows printer driver "wrapper" a la GenMac for NICs... I don't think we'll see that in the near future.

Only because it's a network printer it doesn't mean that this solves driver problems. As you said: You ARE able to send data to the printer - but it won't understand it.
Interestingly, it seems that the C5550MFP *HAS* PCL6 and PS support. That also explains why Joachim said "I found a C5550 driver". I didn't follow that thread from the start, forgive me if you already told, but: Is there any chance for you to return that printer and go for a C5550 instead?

BTW: GDI printing is one of the most crappy inventions ever made, as it puts the processing requirements  into your PC instead of the printer (the opposite of what one would expect from a "peripheral" device). If you take a look at some differences between GDI and "real" printers, you can see what it boils down to:
- GDI printers are cheaper in most cases
- GDI printers come with a lot more memory
- GDI printers support windows only

What this means (and where it comes from):
- no PCL or PS "licensing" required, no compatibility with it needed (dunno if there is a licensing for it at all)
- not much intelligence is in the driver as the windows GDI API functions ("screen") are used for printing too
- raw data from GDI is sent to printer instead of "printer control" commands (-> needs more printer RAM)
I think of GDI printing like a simple swap of the device context from screen to print while using the same GDI routines. Not sure if that comes close but that's what my understanding is...

If my understandding is more or less correct, the interesting question then would be:
If someone makes the same thing for the Presentation Manager GDI calls... would this give us almost instant GDI support in OS/2 and eComStation?
But this is something for people with more tech insight into windows and OS/2 driver and GDI stuff.

And BTW: CUPS isn't actually a printer driver but more of a spooler. At least that is what Peter Koller told me during side-talks at Warpstopck Europe. I guess he's quite renowned for having at least SOME expertise in matters of graphics... ;) He's got an OKI color laser printer too BTW... I am not sure but think that he is thinking about digging into these ever-ongoing printing (driver) problems using an entirely different approach. Unfortunately while sounding very promising, the idea would mean a huge amount of work... with no guarantee that it will do a specific job...

Really sorry to tell bad news...
Cheers,
Thomas
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Michel on 2008.11.20, 13:27:57
I don't know if the C5510 printer is supported, but there's a Linux driver foo2hiperc for Okidata's hiper-c protocol, see http://foo2hiperc.rkkda.com

Works for me in Ubuntu (Oki C5200).

You need to build this driver for OS/2 and configure eCups, maybe Paul Smedley can help you.

Michel
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.20, 13:52:48
Quote from: warpcafe on 2008.11.20, 10:37:45
Hi Bob,

I searched the OKI specs for the C5510MFP:
http://www.oki.co.uk/fcgi-bin/public.fcgi?cid=125&pid=5&prid=536&pdflag=1

Really sorry to tell bad news...
Cheers,
Thomas

Thomas, thanks for telling me the real story, as Joachim said, there is no OS2 support for this thing, I am going to totally give up on using cups. I had this printer for 3 plus years, so there is no returning it, and being a high end printer I dont expect it to die any time soon. I went through 3 or 4 MFPs before getting this one.

And to everyone else that helped. Thank You

Bob

Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.20, 15:57:53
Quote from: Michel on 2008.11.20, 13:27:57
I don't know if the C5510 printer is supported, but there's a Linux driver foo2hiperc for Okidata's hiper-c protocol, see http://foo2hiperc.rkkda.com

Works for me in Ubuntu (Oki C5200).

You need to build this driver for OS/2 and configure eCups, maybe Paul Smedley can help you.

Michel


Mciheal, That all looks good, I see they take contributions for development, I would gladly pay for a driver if some one would develop it. But I dont even see GDI on that web site. I will inquire at the page contact.

Thanks for helping.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: warpcafe on 2008.11.20, 16:25:48
Hi Michel,

Quote from: Michel on 2008.11.20, 13:27:57
I don't know if the C5510 printer is supported, but there's a Linux driver foo2hiperc for Okidata's hiper-c protocol, see http://foo2hiperc.rkkda.com

Works for me in Ubuntu (Oki C5200).

You need to build this driver for OS/2 and configure eCups, maybe Paul Smedley can help you.

...this is indeed intersting news.
According to the specs page, the C5200 does not support PS or PCL... but "enhanced windows printing" which smells like a customized GDI... however they claim there is a Mac OSX capable printer for it, which in turn would mean that Linux is supported, hence the Ubuntu hiperc looks promising.

As I am not too savvy about porting Linux, surely Paul Smedley would be my first guess. And (@all) you could think about dropping in a bounty for it (but I would suggest you talk to Paul first...).

Either other way, if there will be a hiper-c driver for OS/2 (or CUPS) then be aware that this will be somthing that "only" supports OKI's proprietary protocol, which I doubt is used in a whole lot of their printer models, perhaps not even the C5510... (if that is a usual Windows GDI). But on the other hand, perhaps the C5510 also understands hiper-c and the drivers simply wraps GDI to hiper-c... who knows...

Cheers,
Thomas
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Michel on 2008.11.20, 16:40:26
Bob,

GDI (Graphics Device Interface) is just the name of a set of drawing functions in Windows.

The foo2hiperc driver basically translates a postscript file to the printer's native raw data format (hiper-c).

So eCUPS has to be configured to generate postscript output and then use this driver to generate the printer data.

I hope this clarifies a bit

Michel
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.20, 17:12:51
Guys, all I want to do, is install a driver and print, just like I used to do with IBM OS/2.

I will talk to Paul Smedley, and will see about putting up a bounty. Or, I may just buy an HP Laserjet, or some other brand of OS/2 supported printer, this may be the cheapest solution. I see them on Ebay pretty cheap. But I would love to be able to use my current Oki, that was going to replace all the cheapo printers that I have replaced over the years.
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: RobertM on 2008.11.20, 19:05:47
On a related note, Heartland America, in it's last mailer, was selling a wide format HP inkjet (HP Deskjet 9800), decent resolution and... well, wide format. But here's the wonderfully interesting part. "Compatible with Microsoft Windows 95 and higher, Mac OS 10.x and higher, Linux, UNIX, OS/2, PalmOS and more."

;D

It's online too...
Heartland HP 9800 (http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=hewlett-packard-deskjet-9800-photo-printer&PIN=70872&GUID=4A40B3DD-273E-462B-8FD4-35DF71F28630&BC=50005008&DL=SCH4)

Kinda neat - and odd - seeing a printer in a current advertisement mentioning OS/2.

Rob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Pete on 2008.11.22, 03:57:03
Hi Rob

Interesting.

Of course if you check the available HP supplied drivers for that model you will find linux, mac osx and many variations on a Windows theme - no mention of OS/2 or PalmOS though.

I would suggest that you contact the retailer and get confirmation of driver availability - you will probably find that if anyone is capable of answering it is because someone has informed them that the printer works with an older model driver from the OMNI driver package.

As there is a linux "driver" there is a chance the printer will work with CUPS - might take a little effort though.

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: RobertM on 2008.11.24, 02:05:02
Hi Pete,

It is a simple PCL3 printer apparently. It is supported (according to an older or buried HP page) by the IBM OmniDriver...

This information is buried here when you scroll down to the compatibility matrix:
HP Deskjet 9800 Driver Page (old/more detailed one) (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=120&prodSeriesId=439153&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=439153&objectID=c00316983)

Looks like Heartland did their homework. I had to do a search on Google for the specific printer and OS/2 driver to find it.

Rob
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Pete on 2008.11.24, 17:05:46
Hi Robert

As I guessed it uses an older printer driver from the OMNI package - but which printer driver would you select as there is no mention of Deskjet 9800 in the OMNI package?

Not quite as straightforward as you thought, maybe  :-)

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.27, 02:06:25
Well guys, I just installed Linux Mint, install took less then a 1/2 hour in a single phase. I do not even know Linux yet, and I easily set up my "Impossible to print from GDI WinPrinter" in less then 5 minutes and printed a test page! This OS went in easier and faster than any OS I ever installed besides Dos. It had no complaints about drivers, or HD partitioning. I always felt intimidated by Linux. But Mint is sweet, and free.

Any ways it gave me a choice of network or USB printing, It printed using cups v1.3.x.
Interpreter Information, Postscript: Level 3, Version: 3010 (861), Product: GPL Ghostscript, Serial #:42

Well, this means printing GDI in OS/2 is possible with cups and some configuring.

Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: Paul Smedley on 2008.11.27, 03:51:36
Quote from: rdonnelly on 2008.11.27, 02:06:25
Well guys, I just installed Linux Mint, install took less then a 1/2 hour in a single phase. I do not even know Linux yet, and I easily set up my "Impossible to print from GDI WinPrinter" in less then 5 minutes and printed a test page! This OS went in easier and faster than any OS I ever installed besides Dos. It had no complaints about drivers, or HD partitioning. I always felt intimidated by Linux. But Mint is sweet, and free.

Any ways it gave me a choice of network or USB printing, It printed using cups v1.3.x.
Interpreter Information, Postscript: Level 3, Version: 3010 (861), Product: GPL Ghostscript, Serial #:42

Well, this means printing GDI in OS/2 is possible with cups and some configuring.



Interesting - what printer did you select in Mint when you were added the printer?
Title: Re: Now I have input, I need output.
Post by: rdonnelly on 2008.11.27, 04:57:07
Oki C5500 Hiper C. It was almost brainless to install this printer under mint. I did not have to open a web browser or any thing, I just selected new printer, mint detected it on USB and Network. Even in windoze you have to install driver and reboot, and OKI supports windoze. I know you are the printer guru, so if you want me to get more info, let me know, but you might have to coach me, as I am a newb at linux.

More info from printer configuration
URI: socket://192.168.15.103:9100
Make and Model Oki C5500 Foomatic/foo2hiperc (recommended)