Correct Epson Ink Levels in Mint7 with MTink (SOLVED)

[Bruce R]

In case it helps others, I had to keep re-booting into Windows, just to find out which actual ink cartridge needed replacing for my old Epson Stylus PHOTO R220 printer, but thanks to MTink no longer have to in Mint7.
InkBlot gave incorrect advice, but using the Package Manager to install mtink and its dependencies, I found that I then needed to enter Terminal and use sudo nautilus to change /dev/usb/lp0 Permissions to include Read & Write for 'Others', then use sudo adduser 'username' lp to add my own login to the lp group before running mtink Preferences to select the Port and Printer from the long list of Epson printers, Save, Exit and ReStart, switch on the printer and after a pause, MTink would then work, so I've given it a custom desktop launcher and icon, as per the attachment.

[Husse]

Thanks for the report
I added correct to the subject line to better reflect content

[Bruce R]

It might 'scan' better as 'Correct Epson Ink Levels with MTink' ?

[cato40]

Dear Bruce:
Thanks very much for giving us the Epson Ink Levels.
Now the question that I have is , what do you enter into the terminal to change the permissions ?
Do you just type ? "change permissions for /dev/usb/lpO ? or some other commands. I am a newbie to Terminal talk.
Thanking you,
cato40

[cato40]

Dear Bruce:
Firstly, I think that you did a marvelous job in showing us how to view our Epson ink supply.
Now here are a few questions; Would this show the ink supply for any Epson Model ?, or just Multifunction ones.
It would be very much appreciated if you could or would write out the correct procedure via the Terminal ,
so that ,say after accessing the Terminal one would type in su or sudo the how to access the printer dependencies ?
and so forth. I am still leaning about the Terminal and Commands.
Thanking uou.
cato40

[capt]

I just installed this tool and want to say it really works well. I tried the test and clean print head feature and it was great.

[hayden]

I installed mtink, and am part of lp group. When I run mtink, it says "Error No Access to printer device file." I click OK but it shows all ink levels empty. When I click on Preferences says, "choose browser" a radio box for "Mini Help", another for "Allow automatic detection". Port Choice and Printer Choice. When I click on Port Choice it says "no access to printer device file... must be member of group lp". Does this only work with USB connected printers?

How do I set up to show ink levels? I have a epson stylus NX420, network printing.

[graphius]

I am having the same issue as hayden
mtink used to work a few versions ago, but now it comes up with an error. I am sure it is a permission thing, but I cannot find any /dev/usb/lp* file mtink won't let me change the port anyway (it only lists /dev/lp0, which as far as I can figure out doesn't exist)

any advice?

PS I have tried to add a new printer, even reinstall, but it will not list my Epson 1400, and I can't remember how I initially installed it. and yes I am a member of the lp group