USB Printer Help

[Stryker]

I have had a Lexmark X83 multifunction printer for about a year now. I'm now moving all of my computers over to linux. I've checked the lexmark site and they supply no linux drivers for it. I'd like to be able to install it onto RedHat 7.3, any suggestions?

[voidmain]

Lexmark has generally been pretty proprietary about their printer languages and drivers.  However, I just did a search on their web site and came up with some stuff you might want to look at. I haven't looked closely at it as I don't have a Lexmark printer.  HP printers are supported very well.

Lexmark Linux link:
Lexmark  linux

[ August 22, 2002: Message edited by: Ex Eleven / b0b ]

[Stryker]

http://drivers.lexmark.com/drivers.nsf/SelectPrinter?OpenForm&Lexmark+X83

they say it shows a complete list. It include most versions of windows and most macs. But nothing linux wise. Is there a general driver or anything that will work?

[voidmain]

Whoops, checking.....

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: VoidMain ]

[dbl221]

I have a Lexmark z52...no driver is available yet for my Redhat 7.3 system.

As a general rule stick with Epson or HP for Linux printing.  Check out

http://www.linuxprinting.org/database.html

[voidmain]

As I mentioned earlier, I knew that Lexmark has had a history of being proprietary which is why I use HP printers...

[Stryker]

Well I bought it about a year ago when I was only using windows. (I've learned a lot of linux since though) But I cannot afford to just throw away $180 printer. Is there anything I can do?

[voidmain]

You could sell it on EBay, HP makes some really nice inexpensive printers, less than $180.

[choasforages]

hmmm, talking about printers, my canon just died, and my lexmark hasn't worked in a while, how do i use dad windows printer with cups, like a smb printer, ive down it with lpr, but i like cups more then lpr. and i need cups for *my* network.

[choasforages]

if it helps it is a hp deskjet 3820

[voidmain]

I assume you have already shared it on your Windows machine.  If you have Samba configured properly (so you can connect to your Windows machine using smbclient) then you can use smbspool command.  It can be used with CUPS.  Search the google for info on "smbspool" and "CUPS".  You might also find info on http://www.samba.org/ or http://www.cups.org/

I use JetDirect print servers on my home network so I can print directly to the printer from any box (although I spool most everything through a Linux server which in turn sends the output to the JetDirect).

[Stryker]

The thing is, I want to get rid of the windows machine and have it run linux. Getting samba to print to it through windows shares isn't going to help me. I had it running from a windows printer share before, wasn't all that difficult. But I need to get rid of windows.

[choasforages]

then as voidmain said, sell it and buy a new one on ebay. hell, do you really need very high end solutions, cuase for about $200 on ebya, i could probably have a decent printer, and a scanner supported by xsane.

[voidmain]

Sorry for the confusion Stryker, the smbspool/CUPS reply was to chaosforages.  My reply to you was to sell the printer and get a compatible one, otherwise, don't think I can help you any further.  Can't even offer to write a driver for it since it is a proprietary printer language.

[Stryker]

I suppose I could slap together some old parts and make a windows 3.1 machine to serve it, I dont really scan things so it should work fine. I just thought there might be some way to get it in linux... The source code for drivers should always be public, so that we can fix our own if necessary. (I've had bad luck with ebay)