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gerry
Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 986 Location: England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 12:04 Post subject:
How to network a printer with 2 computers? Subject description: One Puppy, the other XP |
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I have two computers, one running XP, the other Puppy 301. I have one printer. At present, I move the printer USB cable from one to the other. Enquiring at my friendly local computer shop about a switch, I was told that it's expensive and clunky- use networking! Does this mean SAMBA on the Puppy machine? Seems a bit heavy- is there anything lighter and easier?
Gerry
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HairyWill

Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 2946 Location: Southampton, UK
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 12:23 Post subject:
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You could use windows printer sharing and smbspool to direct the print jobs from puppy to the XP machine
find smbspool on your system
which smbspool
Now ensure there is a symbolic link in /usr/lib/cups/backend that points to smbspool the link might need to be called smb, I can't remember.
ln -s PATH-TO-SMBSPOOL /usr/lib/cups/backend/smb
Now go into cups and samba printer will now be available as a connection type
if problems
post again or search the forum and wiki for smbspool
_________________ Will
contribute: community website, screenshots, puplets, wiki, rss
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Sage
Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 5547 Location: GB
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 12:40 Post subject:
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Any chance of getting a dual input printer with USB & LPT? Not so many about now, but some recent mono lasers and my EpsonC84 and HP 640C all have them. I've got a spare printer switch I can send you for LPT. These old printers are fine for office work, letters and drafting, but useless for photos.
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gerry
Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 986 Location: England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 13:59 Post subject:
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Sage, you're a genius! It has two USB inputs- USB 2.0 Hi-speed, only works on Windows XP+, and USB 2.0 Full Speed, plug your Mac or ancient MS m/c in here.
So I'll obtain another cable, and how it likes having both plugged in.
Gerry
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gerry
Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 986 Location: England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 16:07 Post subject:
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Using both USB sockets does not work: the (Canon i965) printer has to be configured at installation time to use one or the other.
And I've tried the smb idea: the symlink is there, but I'm having difficulty providing cups with an address (URL) for the printer. Out of my depth again. Hey ho...
Gerry
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gerry
Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 986 Location: England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 16:54 Post subject:
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After a bit of googling, I reckon I got the URL right, but all I get when I try to print is:
/usr/lib/cups/backend/smb failed
More study...
Gerry
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DC

Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 361 Location: Maidenhead, England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 18:06 Post subject:
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Hi have a look at this post
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=12196
most important the reply from "JB4x4"
and the note at the bottom
Quote: | Note: The binary file "smbspool" is needed to make the connection with your printer. The CUPS install creates the proper simlink to it at /usr/lib/cups/backend/smb , but it is a dead link because smbspool is missing in the base Puppy install. |
DC
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gerry
Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 986 Location: England
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Posted: Wed 19 Dec 2007, 18:50 Post subject:
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DC- smbspool is present- all 830k of it. It's in Puppy 3.01
I suspect I have a problem with the printer name on the XP machine. It has a space in it. I'll change it tomorrow- it's past my bedtime now!
Gerry
EDIT: I need to review the hardware connections to make sure that the two machines really are connected. After Christmas.
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