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antivirtel
Asked: 2011-02-07 03:42:10 +0800 CST

Alternative printing method(s) for an unsupported printer

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I have in my office, a Konica Minolta bizhub 211 multifunction printer, it works well with windows workstations... It has a lot of good features, like duplex...

konica minolta bizhub 211

I haven't found any drivers for UNIX, so I'm looking for alternative methods, how can we make it useable in Ubuntu. I'm thinking on some windows based server, or what I know...

It's id in lsusb: 132b:2052

I wrote here requesting for drivers: ubuntu.hu, linuxforums.org, forums.debian.net, ubuntuforums.org; and also to the manufacturer, but they said only, that "the first PostScript supported printer is only bizhub 223", so they don't care that thing.

Update: I've heared about the raw printing method trough a normal Windows workstation. Have someone got any information about this workaround?

Please suggest working methods,

Thanks, B. Roland

server

2 Answers

  1. Once your unsupported printer is recognized either from USB or if setup as network printer from the appropriate network setting you are asked for a driver. If your printer is not listed you can alway select "Generic" to give you a choice of standard printing methods depicted below:

    enter image description here

    In this example on the left hand side a "PCL6/PCL XL Printer" is selceted and gives you again a variety of selections of PCL6 subsets on the right hand side. Depending on your model your Konica/Minolta printer may be a PCL6 printer and this entry may work, but you will have to simply try out what subsets are appropriate. If it's not PCL6 you may also try out if a generic GDI driver works.

    Fancy special things your printer may be capable of will not work with a generic driver but at least you can print out something.

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  2. This is a method I used to print to a non-linux friendly Lexmark. It should work with any Windows printer.

    What you need

    1. You'll need a a PC or a Virtual Machine running Windows on the same network.
    2. Make sure your printer can print from your Windows PC/VM
    3. Download and install Ghostscript, GSview and RedMon EE onto your Windows PC

    Configuring Windows Printing

    Using Printers and Faxes - File - Server Properties, Add a new port and select "Redirected Port". The ports on the server should update with RPT1: Redirected Port

    Install a Linux Friendly Printer Driver

    Still on windows:

    • Add a printer that is recognised by both Ubuntu and Windows e.g. "AppleLaserwriter 16/600 PS".
    • Set it to print to local port "RPT1: Redirected Port"
    • Configure the port with the values

    C:\Program Files\Ghostgum\gsview\gsprint.exe

    for the "Redirect this port to the program" and

    -printer "Windows Printer Name" -copies 1 -

    for "Arguments for this program are:"

    • Share this Printer for Everyone to use

    N.B. "Windows Printer Name" is the name of the Windows printer in Printers and Faxes

    Setup a Print Connection to Windows

    In ubuntu - add a Printer - connect to the Windows printer and use "AppleLaserwriter 16/600 PS driver"

    You can now print to the "AppleLaserwriter" printer.

    Note - this will take quite a while for large documents since the Windows PC will need to convert from AppleLaserWriter format to Ghostscript and finally convert this into your other Windows printer format. Its wise to use a fairly speedy PC!

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