problem using a parallel printer with usb/parralel converter

[Bernard]

Tommy Trussell wrote:
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 9:52 AM, Bernard <bdebreil at teaser.fr 
> <mailto:bdebreil at teaser.fr>> wrote:
>
>     I am trying to use my old HP Deskjet 1120C parallel printer with a
>     new laptop that lacks parallel port. I purchased a 'CSL' USB to
>     Parallel converter. This successfully worked almost right away
>     (sudo system-config-printer),
>
>     BUT
>
>     this same printer seems to have a lot less many options available
>     on the new system (using USB/PARRALEL converter) than there were
>     on the old one.
>
........................
>
>
>     [stuff deleted]
>
>
>
> I don't have your particular HP printer, but based on my experiences 
> with mine (now defunct) I can think of two things to try:
>
> 1) Either using the CUPS web interface OR the Printers tool under 
> System Settings, examine the driver CUPS has chosen for your printer. 
> Often CUPS has more than one definition that work with a particular 
> printer, and you might choose another and see if your features are 
> defined in a different driver file. 
>
> 2) You might check the new system to make sure the hplip package is 
> installed (it probably is), but you might additionally install 
> hplip-gui (aka "hplip toolbox") in case it makes the "missing" 
> features visible. I think of the latter as providing things like 
> ink/toner levels and other features reported by the printer but 
> missing in the "generic" printing interface. It may not change the 
> features in the Printers tool -- you might have to use the hplip-gui 
> tool or something.
In the end I got through my problem using the cups web interface. I 
could see that CUPS had chosen on my laptop another driver than that in 
the old desktop, despites the fact that this driver did exist in the 
list displayed. So, I tried to select the Gutenprint driver on the 
laptop and then save the new settings. The system replied: 'Your 
settings have been changed successfully'... but this reply was 
inappropriate and must be a mistake in the program... for, upon viewing 
the "new" settings, I could see that the old driver was still there, 
that is 'HP Deskjet 1120, hpcups3.14.3'. Several trials all lead to the 
same result... until I found what was wrong. The system would not accept 
my new choice of driver because my earlier choices in configuring 'CUPS' 
did not comply with said driver ; I was stuck to the only driver that 
was compatible. Now, what were these earlier choices that forbid using 
the Gutenprint driver ?  It took awhile and quite a few tests before I 
could find what was wrong. Each time I tried to modify that printer, it 
never would accept any other option than that of a Network printer. 
Then, being compelled to write a network  address, I had no other choice 
than to write: "http://localhost:631"... which did work... but only with 
said driver 'HP Deskjet 1120, hpcups3.14.3' that provided very few 
printing options. The trick was not to try modifying, but to 'UNINSTALL' 
everything. Only then, starting from a clean config, was I able to 
choose a 'local' printer, which choice allowed me to the driver 'HP 
DeskJet 1120C - CUPS+Gutenprint v5.2.10-pre2'... in fact this choice was 
the default one !  And now, everything works all right and I get the 
same printing options as in my old system.

I have wondered about writing all those details above, but I thought 
this might help someone fighting with the same problem.

Thanks for your help,

Bernard

As far of finding what driver 'cups' has chosen for my printer

cups + gutenprint v5.0.2(en) for the old system using guenine parallel port


>
> I hope those help. In the meantime maybe we'll hear from someone with 
> direct experience with your model printer.