[Cbsupport] Setting up printers - TIPS

Thu Nov 15 17:34:04 UTC 2001

Just an extra tip - if you want to overwrite the old printcap file you can copy it first and then enter the command with the --force parameter e.g:

cp /etc/printcap /etc/printcap.old
magicfilterconfig --force

This means that you can get back to where you were by :

cp /etc/printcap.old /etc/printcap

Craig

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Craig Silva, IT Infrastructure Coordinator
Moreland City Council, 90 Bell St. Coburg.
Melbourne. Victoria. 3058. Australia.
email: csilva at moreland.vic.gov.au 
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au
Tel: +61 3 9 240 2355, fax: + 61 3 9 240 1212
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>>> Kylie Davies <kylied at projectx.com.au> 11/15/01 12:38AM >>>
Hi all,

Had a question in the office today - re setting up and configuring a Canon 
BJC2000sp (its the next model up from the BJC1000sp). Anyway - aside from not 
being totally sure about the driver to use - here is a quick tip run down for 
the magicfilterconfig (and that is exactly as you type it - all one word!) tool 
for setting up printers.

Okay - you will need:

- Your root password handy
- The make and model of the printer
- Best printer driver to use

For info on which is the best driver to use: See http://www.linuxprinting.org/ 
and follow the links that relate to your question. Try the support database to 
see how well your printer is supported. 

Apparently the best driver to use for the Canon BJC1000/2000sp is the bjc-600 
driver (a gs - ghostscript driver). This driver is available in magicfilter.

Magicfilterconfig must be run as root within a terminal (gnome terminal or xterm 
will do fine) window or on the console. 

To become root in a terminal window you issue the command su and then press 
enter. You will then be prompted to provide the root password. Type it in and 
then hit enter (the password will not appear on the screen - it will look as 
though you have not typed anything). If you get the password wrong - you will 
get an error message and you will have to start over again. :) 

You will know if you are root - this is indicated by the hash # prompt. Normal 
users have dollar signs $

magicfilterconfig is a tool that only the root user can run, it is a 
configuration utility that operates in text mode. This means that you are 
required to type answers to some questions. 

Before you run magicfilterconfig - be prepared - have the info you require 
ready. :)

To start magicfilterconfig - open a terminal window and issue the command 
magicfilterconfig 

There are 4 things to worry about ... (I could be wrong - as I am writing this 
from memory and have only ever configured 3 printers...hope that people will 
correct me if I am wrong)

- printer name (enter the name of your printer ie: canon bjc2000sp) 
- printer spooler (enter the name of the printer in abbreviated format ie: 
bjc2000).
- spool directory /dev/lp0  (thats a zero and not an o) 
- printer driver (from the list that appears within magicfilterconfig choose the 
one that is *your* driver or ...ahem closely approaches resemblance to your 
model number or printer brand.)
- that\'s it - magicfilterconfig gives you the option of configuring another 
printer or typing in the word \"done\" to quit and write the file. 

The configuration file that gets saved is located in /etc and the file is called 
printcap (Again this is from memory so if I\'m wrong correct me) **See below.

Okay - once you have finished configuring printers - it\'s time to test it. 

Make sure th printer is connected to the correct port at the back of the 
computer (you generally can\'t go wrong - think adult lego), make sure it is 
turned on. 

Make sure the printer has ink. Refer to the manufacturers manual for information 
about head cleaning and changing ink cartridges. Load some paper into the paper 
tray. 

Open a file that can be printed (a document in Abiword/Staroffice for eg) and 
try printing it. 

Good luck and happy printing (mind the trees - and think before you print!)

Cheers,

Kylie

**It is useful to know where the printcap file is - just in case you need to run 
magicfilterconfig again (maybe the driver you selected first time around didnt 
work and you need to try another). If this is the case - to delete the printcap 
file

PLEASE ensure that you are only DELETING the printcap file AND NOT other files. 

DELETING FILES AS ROOT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN THE DELETION 
OF YOUR WHOLE SYSTEM. 

The command for deleting the printcap file is 

rm /etc/printcap 

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