On 12/30/2011 07:26 PM, Mark LaPierre wrote:
> Anyone know how to find out if the parallel port is recognized? I have a
> parallel port printer connected to my machine but I can't seem to get it
> working. It was working with Fedora 14 32bit. I just installed SL-6.1
> 64bit.

Hi Mark,

Usually I am the one asking the questions.  It is nice to
be on the other side for a change.

I use a parallel port on an Okidata B4350 LED printer.
I personally thing USB ports on printers are evil, but I
may be over exaggerating a bit.  (Me? Never!)

step 1)  Do an ls on the device port:

       $ ls -al /dev/lp*

       crw-rw----. 1 root lp 6, 0 Dec 30 11:00 /dev/lp0
       crw-rw----. 1 root lp 6, 1 Dec 30 11:00 /dev/lp1
       crw-rw----. 1 root lp 6, 2 Dec 30 11:00 /dev/lp2
       crw-rw----. 1 root lp 6, 3 Dec 30 11:00 /dev/lp3

I only have /dev/lp0, even though all four show up.

If no ports show up.  You have to trouble shoot why.


If the ports do show up:
step 2)   Send text directly to the printer

     echo "testing 123" > /dev/lp0

You will have to press the form feed button on your printer
to get this to pop out.

If it pops out, you are hooked up.  If not, recheck your cabling
etc..


If you are hooked up:
step 3:

Fire up a web browser (Firefox, etc..). go to
       http://127.0.0.1:631
This will fire up the CUPS interface.  Go to the "Administration" tab.
Click on "Add Printer".  You will have to log in as "root".  Cups will
attempt to find your printer.  If not, try to manually install it on
/dev/lp0.  (Plug 'n play does not always work.)


If this all doesn't work, get back to us.

A test that would be helpful is to fire up the following Live CD
and see if it finds your printer.  This will isolate the problem
to software of hardware.

 
http://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/alt/spins/linux/releases/16/Spins/i686/Fedora-16-i686-Live-XFCE.iso

Go to the:
   --> applications menu (upper right)
     --> administration
       --> printing
         --> press the "add" button
           --> allow it to adjust your firewall
It should find your printer.  Try printing.  Let us know.


I hope all this rambling helps.

-T