Remote Printer
John Iliffe
I have just installed a network remote printer (remote lpd served by the
router) and printing seems to work for everything except word perfect.
When it starts up I get "The application has encountered a fatal error,
if the problem persists contact Corel technical Support". If I delete
this printer (by commenting it out of /etc/printcap) then WP works
again.
Has anybody seen this problem before?
(details: Red Hat 7.0, kernel 2.2.16-22, running LPRng 3.6.22)
John
Leon Goldstein
version of WP8, which also includes the classic text interface, in order
to use a network printer.
--
Leon A. Goldstein
Powered by Libranet 2.8 Debian Linux
System G2
John Iliffe
Thanks.
I was not aware that there was a difference. From WP's viewpoint it
should look like any other LPRng printer; LPD will send it to the right
spool for printing. Given that, any ideas where I can get the network
patches at this point in time?
Leon A. Goldstein
John Iliffe wrote:
Mea culpa: I lost track of which newsgroup I was on - the network bit applies
to WP8 Personal edition for Linux.
Can you print with any other WPO2KL app, e.g. Quattro Pro?
How about posting your etc/printcap. It may be worth trying turboprint too.
It should install alongside LPRNG.
--
Leon A. Goldstein
Powered by Libranet 2.8 Debian Linux
System LI
John Iliffe
Hi Leon:
No, any attempt to start ANY WPO application (WP, Quattro,
Presentations, etc) ends with the "Application has encountered a fatal
error..." message. The splash screen does't even show first.
The Advanced Editor, PDF, and Netscape all print properly.
In the printcap file below, the pieces commented out are the old
printcap file; the rest is the network printer printcap file. If I
reverse things (comment out what is live and uncomment the old file),
then WP works fine.
I suspect that WP doesn't know how to parce something and is too stupid
to ignore it but this is the minimum that will work.
Thanks again for your help.
John
(In the following, Netprint is a /etc/hosts reference to 192.168.2.1
which is the remote printer IP address; LPT1 is the remote printer's
name; and filter is an alias to the real HP4L filter. The parameter
"lpd_bounce" forces the filter to act before the file is shipped to the
remote printer).
------------------/etc/printcap--------------------
# /etc/printcap
#
# Please don't edit this file directly unless you know what you are
doing!
# Be warned that the control-panel printtool requires a very strict
format!
# Look at the printcap(5) man page for more info.
#
# This file can be edited with the printtool in the control-panel.
##PRINTTOOL3## LOCAL ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
#lp:\
# :sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
# :mx#0:\
# :sh:\
# :lp=/dev/lp0:\
# :if=/var/spool/lpd/lp/filter:
##PRINTTOOL3## REMOTE ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
lp0:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp0:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:rm=Netprint:\
:rp=LPT1:\
:lpd_bounce=true:\
:if=/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter:
-------------------------end--------------------------------------
James Richard Tyrer
The cause of this is that WINE failed to parse your: "/etc/printcap/" file.
This is a know bug.
I found that the simple solution to this was to use GNUlpr. Unfortunately,
this is not currently being maintained and this presents a problem
installing it. I built part of it from source and installed part of it
from RPMs.
It is also possible that you can hand edit your: "/etc/printcap/" file.
It should look like this:
================================================================
##PRINTTOOL3## LOCAL epson 360x180 letter {} Epson24 Default {}
lp:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:lp=/dev/lp1:\
:if=/var/spool/lpd/lp/filter:\
:PAPERSIZE=letter:\
:DESIRED_TO=ps:\
:PRINTER_TYPE=LOCAL:\
:ASCII_TO_PS=YES:\
:GSDEVICE=epson:\
:RESOLUTION=360x180:\
:PS_SEND_EOF=NO:\
:NUP=1:\
:RTLFTMAR=18:\
:TOPBOTMAR=18:\
:TEXT_SEND_EOF=NO:
================================================================
The indenting appears to be what is needed for it to work.
--
JRT
James Richard Tyrer
John Iliffe wrote:
As I said elsewhere, your file probably isn't being parsed correctly.
So try editing it as follows:
------------------/etc/printcap--------------------
# /etc/printcap
##PRINTTOOL3## REMOTE ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
lp0:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp0:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:rm=Netprint:\
:rp=LPT1:\
:lpd_bounce=true:\
:if=/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter:
-------------------------end--------------------------------------
and see if it works.
--
JRT
John Iliffe
No, that didn't work. It stopped all printing, including that
previously working. Among other things, the lp=.... parameter does not
co-exist with the network parameters rm= and rp=, although ALL of the
reference books state that the lp= parameter is needed in any case.
Since I need this critically for a project I have created two printcap
files and a script to place the WP-compatible one as the active printcap
when any WPO application starts. I can convert to PDF and print from
there when necessary. Silly and slow but at least I can get on with the
job!
Thanks for the assistance folks.
John
Ron Springer
Packard LaserJet 4m - it works fine with WPO 2K.
As you noted, there should be NO ':lp=' entry in the printcap!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
lp|ps|Postscript|printserver:\
:lf=/var/log/hp-log:\
:mx#0:\
:rm=192.168.0.100:\
:rp=lp:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/hplj4m:\
:sh:
Leon Goldstein
John Iliffe wrote inter alia:
> Since I need this critically for a project I have created two printcap
> files and a script to place the WP-compatible one as the active printcap
> when any WPO application starts. I can convert to PDF and print from
> there when necessary. Silly and slow but at least I can get on with the
> job!
>
> Thanks for the assistance folks.
>
> John
>
Please post a copy of your script and the printcap that works for you.
This might help someone else, and I would like to include it in my
WPO2KL how-to.
Tim Nett
seems that there is more than one out there. I have 9.0.0.765.
And it works with a couple of HP 300X JetDirect print servers
connected to a Deskjet 550c and a Deskjet 1120.
btw, these 300X's were much easier to set up in Linux (Corel 1.2,
Xandros 1.0, and Libranet 2.8) than in Windows (ME and 2K).
Tim
John Iliffe
Tim:
I think the issue here is that the remote printer is not served by a
server, if that makes sense! It is a printer port on the router,
addressed at the router's gateway address of 192.168.2.1.
It worked properly first try on Windows 98, which I booted as a test.
Mandrake 8.1 has been traced to the Mandrake "PrinterDrake" having a
lobotomy, no matter what you request it sets up a LOCAL printer. WP
likes it though! Red Hat 7.0 and Xandros 1.0 both set it up correctly
first try (as remote LPD) BUT WPO would not even get the splash screen
up on Red Hat (I don't have it on the Xandros machine) before it
reported a fatal error.
The version number reported on the Splash Screen is just WP 9, where do
you see the actual compile version number?
John
=======================================================================
Tim Nett
John Iliffe wrote:
> Tim:
>
<snip>
> The version number reported on the Splash Screen is just WP 9, where do
> you see the actual compile version number?
>
> John
> =======================================================================
Under Help --> About WordPerfect
Tim
Leon Goldstein
9" You will see the release number just below the screen where the
credits scroll up. I have 9.0.0.765 too. It works quite well.
John Iliffe
The version is 9.0.0.765.
John
John Iliffe
OK, but please keep in mind that writing scripts is not a core skill!
Also, remember that after running wpswitch you do NOT have printing from
anywhere else (like PDF, or the browser, etc).
After running wpswitch you still have to kill lpd (lp) and restart. I
think that putting that function in the script would be a bad exposure.
wpswitch is the script that toggles from network printing to
======== the dummy printcap that is compatible with Word Perfect and
back. If you are on the dummy this switches to the network
script; if on the network, switches to the dummy.
# script to switch to a WP compliant printcap file
# and back to the proper network file on demand
#!/bin/bash
if [ -e /etc/printcap.net ]; then
mv /etc/printcap /etc/printcap.wp
mv /etc/printcap.net /etc/printcap
echo "network printing enabled; restart lpd."
else
if [ -e /etc/printcap.wp ]; then
mv /etc/printcap /etc/printcap.net
mv /etc/printcap.wp /etc/printcap
echo "Word Perfect dummy printcap; printing is halted"
fi
fi
Note that the permissions for this are 644 and that you have to su to
root to run it.
========================================================================================
printcap.net, my working network printer printcap file
============
(Note: "Netprint" is in /etc/hosts and points to the address on the
network
of the router/gateway, in this case 192.168.2.1)
# /etc/printcap
#
# Please don't edit this file directly unless you know what you are
doing!
# Be warned that the control-panel printtool requires a very strict
format!
# Look at the printcap(5) man page for more info.
#
# This file can be edited with the printtool in the control-panel.
##PRINTTOOL3## LOCAL ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
#lp:\
# :sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
# :mx#0:\
# :sh:\
# :lp=/dev/lp0:\
# :if=/var/spool/lpd/lp/filter:
##PRINTTOOL3## REMOTE ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
lp0:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp0:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:rm=Netprint:\
:rp=LPT1:\
:lpd_bounce=true:\
:if=/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter:
=================================================================================
printcap.wp the dummy printcap file that Word Perfect likes
# /etc/printcap
#
# Please don't edit this file directly unless you know what you are
doing!
# Be warned that the control-panel printtool requires a very strict
format!
# Look at the printcap(5) man page for more info.
#
# This file can be edited with the printtool in the control-panel.
##PRINTTOOL3## LOCAL ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
lp:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:lp=/dev/lp0:\
:if=/var/spool/lpd/lp/filter:
##PRINTTOOL3## REMOTE ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
#lp0:\
# :sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp0:\
# :mx#0:\
# :sh:\
# :rm=Netprint:\
# :rp=LPT1:\
# :lpd_bounce=true:\
# :if=/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter:
======================================================================
A couple of comments for those who know more about scripts and printcap
than I do:
1. it is likely that this could be better implemented by aliasing
printcap to either printcap.net or printcap.wp and not renaming them.
2. I would like to eliminate having to be root to run wpswitch, that's
an invitation to disaster if you forget you are root!
3. it should be in the Word Perfect initialization script.
4. it is probably not necessary to actually switch to the dummy printcap
since lpd seems to read it in and remember it; just point WP in the
right direction. You can get bizzarre results by running this script
with WP up and running however. Don't do it!
John
Ron Springer
1. WordPerfect - File > Print - on the 'Print tab' page, what are the
entries in the 'Current Printer' dropdown
2. What is the difference between /var/spool/lpd/lp/filter and
/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter
comment: Linux is native 'postscript' - I assume that the 'filter' is
the postscript > PCL converter.
3. If you 'ping Netprint', I assume that you get a success.
4: Why don't you add a 'log file' to your printcap to see what errors
are occuring?
>> ##PRINTTOOL3## REMOTE ljet4 300x300 letter {} LaserJet4 Default {}
>> lp0:\
>> :sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp0:\
>> :mx#0:\
>> :sh:\
>> :rm=Netprint:\
>> :rp=LPT1:\
>> :lpd_bounce=true:\
>> :if=/var/spool/lpd/lp0/filter:
I previously sent a copy of my printcap that works just fine with my
LaserJet4*M* (postscript printer, therefore NO FILTER)
> lp|ps|Postscript|printserver:\
> :lf=/var/log/hp-log:\
> :mx#0:\
> :rm=192.168.0.100:\
> :rp=lp:\
> :sd=/var/spool/lpd/hplj4m:\
> :sh:
NOTES:
1. My default WordPerfect printer is 'ps' - hence the printcap
'lp|ps|... entry ('lp' is the default Linux printer)
2. It's easier for me to force the printserver address -
:rm=192.168.0.100: - because I've had problems with Windoze machines NOT
working with a DHCP assigned 'print server' on a network that I maintain
RonS