Date: Sun, 14 May 2017 17:19:07 +0200 From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> To: "Thomas Mueller" <mueller6722@twc.com> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Printer advice Message-ID: <20170514171907.180a99c2.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <E0.B4.25473.5EF08195@dnvrco-omsmta03> References: <alpine.BSF.2.20.1705131813110.49571@tripel.monochrome.org> <E0.B4.25473.5EF08195@dnvrco-omsmta03>
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On Sun, 14 May 2017 08:05:50 +0000, Thomas Mueller wrote: > My luck with HP has been bad, enough to dissuade me from buying > any more HP products. I always suggest to check http://hplipopensource.com/ _before_ actually buying something. > I have HP LaserJet Professional M1212nf MFP, and the first > several attempts were fruitless, in both NetBSD and FreeBSD. Did you use the (most current) CUPS and hplip software? http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/models/laserjet/hp_laserjet_professional_m1212nf_mfp.html The following addition is provided: This printer REQUIRES a downloadable driver plug-in, which is required to enable print, fax or scan support. Use hp-setup to install the printer, and to download and install the plug-in. Driver plug-ins are released under a proprietary (non-open) license and are not part of the HPLIP tarball release. Did you pay attention to this nonstandard part? > I finally got it to print in NetBSD through cups with a special > PPD file, think FreeBSD might also work with the same PPD file. Yes, the first P in PPD means "portable". :-) > Only Ethernet worked, USB didn't. I never had any problems with HP networking, but of course I'm just considering ye olden HP Laserjet office (!) printers (which do only print, nothing else). ;-) > I am rebuilding FreeBSD installations after getting nonbootable > results updating NetBSD (version 7.99.71 of current branch). It's worth a try. If you have a PPD, it will provide good help. > I never got scanning or fax from computer to work. Scanning is not a problem once you have installed hplip and SANE. Fax... who uses fax anymore? ;-) > One adverse factor is the need for a proprietary binary plugin. Definitely. > I was on Xerox website and more favorably impressed, but didn't > buy the printer because I already have that HP multifunction > printer. It's always worth checking device compatibility first. The less obstacles are mentioned ("needs firmware upload" etc.), the less trouble you will have. I know it's not easy today to find a printer which will reliably work, but if you do some research beforehand, you can actually get a good printer. -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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