Linux Lite Forums
Hardware - Support => Printing and Scanning => Topic started by: jefboyardee on June 08, 2014, 01:35:29 PM
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Alongside W7HP and Linux Mint 17, I just installed Linux Lite. I like it, but...
When I chose my printer (Brother HL-2140) and then clicked print a test sheet, it printed a blank sheet, then another, another and so on. To get it to stop, I deleted that printer, rebooted, re-chose it... same problem.
Then I tried reformatting that partition and reinstalling Lite... same problem. Then I tried that test on Mint. It used to work fine, but it suddenly had the same problem. Tried a page in W7HP, no problem.
Because I'm just goofing with Linux, I deleted and reformatted my three ext4 partitions and the swap partition. Then I installed Mint again, but not Lite... same problem! So, as for this forever printing problem...
Because the printer works fine in Windows, the printer isn't the problem, per se, but it does seem to be misinterpreting commands when booted from any Linux OS. Crazier still, until I installed Linux Lite, there was no problem, but the problem remains if I remove it.
And yes, I've rebooted the printer itself several times... ideas?
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Hello!
Brother supplies Linux drivers for their printers - to my knowledge, they are not supported natively in Linux. Did you install one from the Brother web site?
73 DE N4RPS
Rob
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Didn't install a thing specifically, just let the the printer setup (cups?) do it all. It found something and told me to click Okay, which I did. Forgot to say... I have done the printer reset several times.
Just checked Brother for a possible download, but I don't even know which I want:
Linux (rpm)
Linux (deb)
http://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2140_all
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Hello!
For Linux Lite, you will need the .deb file.
Derivatives of Debian Linux, such as Ubuntu and Linux Lite, use .deb format packages. Red Hat, OpenSUSE, Gentoo, and their derivatives use packages that are in .rpm format. If necessary, .rpm packages can be converted to .deb format, but I've never tried that...
73 DE N4RPS
Rob
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Thanks for that. From there, I see:
Driver Install Tool
The tool will install LPR, CUPSwrapper driver and scanner driver (for scanner models).
03/12/2014
(2.0.0-1)
0.02MB
LPR printer driver (deb package)
06/25/2008
(2.0.2-1)
0.04MB
CUPSwrapper printer driver (deb package)
06/25/2008
(2.0.2-1)
0.01MB
Shall I try which or all three?
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Tried all three; no help. Now I'm unsure if I ever printed anything while booted in any Linus OS; that this problem has always been here but I never tripped over until now... good thing I don't really need it.
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Look at this thread, specifically post #5 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1748457 it solved the issue for this user. Post #7 says selecting the printer as a Brother HL-2170W also solves the issue, as does post #9 offer a solution, 3 solutions for you there :)
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Thanks so much for discovering that; it's good to know I'm not insane (yet). I wound up having to choose Brother HL-2140 Foomatic/hl1250, a different driver than the one recommended by default and the one in that thread, but so what – it's over.
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But now, whether printing off Linux or Windows, page data is fine but with random artifacts printed along with it. Tried power down, printer reset. No clue where this new problem came from but it's almost certainly a printer-only problem, so I'll wander over there...
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Never mind. Replacing my ancient toner cartridge solved that. That thing was the original, starter cartridge with tape over the sensor hole and it worked for about five years! This printer, at least compared to all the others I've had, is downright amazing.
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Brother gives pretty good linux support, but I recommend HP printers, their drivers and support is outstanding :)
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Hello!
That's what I like about laser printers. Unless you're a business, even a starter toner cartridge will last YEARS.
I've owned this HP for several years now, and the starter cartridge is still printing. It's says it's low on toner, but printouts still look good, but I have a new cartridge waiting when it DOES die...
73 DE N4RPS
Rob