HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print [solved]
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HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print [solved]
Hi,
I try to use an old hp laserjet 6mp under LM19.2, mate x64.
The printer is connected through a USB/parallel IEEE 1284 36 pins cable. The printer is recognized as HP laserjet 6MP, but no way to print any test page to test it. Only got pages starting with some strange text like ",#PS/Cdocg/3/0'Psodwcgd c{ popplgs pdgtops wgsskoo; 0/73/0 (http9//popplgs/gs" or "@PKL@PKL SGT OPTSC[?KGSST@PKL SGT PS; OCT?CWTO@PKL..." then few spaced black lines.
The latest hplip (3.19.6) did not help. Also tried HP universal and PCL6 drivers from HP, no improvement: can select the printer as 6MP but printing of test page and simple text failed.
Any idea about what I could try next? Is anybody successfully using this printer through a similar USB/parallel cable?
Thanks.
(posted before in an old thread from 2017 viewtopic.php?f=51&t=260011)
I try to use an old hp laserjet 6mp under LM19.2, mate x64.
The printer is connected through a USB/parallel IEEE 1284 36 pins cable. The printer is recognized as HP laserjet 6MP, but no way to print any test page to test it. Only got pages starting with some strange text like ",#PS/Cdocg/3/0'Psodwcgd c{ popplgs pdgtops wgsskoo; 0/73/0 (http9//popplgs/gs" or "@PKL@PKL SGT OPTSC[?KGSST@PKL SGT PS; OCT?CWTO@PKL..." then few spaced black lines.
The latest hplip (3.19.6) did not help. Also tried HP universal and PCL6 drivers from HP, no improvement: can select the printer as 6MP but printing of test page and simple text failed.
Any idea about what I could try next? Is anybody successfully using this printer through a similar USB/parallel cable?
Thanks.
(posted before in an old thread from 2017 viewtopic.php?f=51&t=260011)
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
- Spearmint2
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
All things go better with Mint. Mint julep, mint jelly, mint gum, candy mints, pillow mints, peppermint, chocolate mints, spearmint,....
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
The issue lies in whether it is the filtering system or the connection between the computer and printer that is at fault.
There is a number of PPDs for this printer. I chose a PostScript one and set up a print queue:
You can do the same.
Then I executed the following command as root:
For me, out.ps is 106836 in size and viewable. I would be very confident it would print correctly. How do you go on?
There is a number of PPDs for this printer. I chose a PostScript one and set up a print queue:
Code: Select all
lpadmin -p 6mp -v file:/dev/null -E -m postscript-hp:0/ppd/hplip/HP/hp-laserjet_6mp-ps.ppd
Then I executed the following command as root:
Code: Select all
cupsfilter -p /etc/cups/ppd/6mp.ppd -m printer/foo -e /etc/nsswitch.conf > out.ps
--
Brian.
Brian.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Spearmint2,
Yes, seriously. Looks like a good laser printer.
It was connected to a mac years ago, printed well and would like to use it again now.
Connectors excepted, was there a substantial evolution in the printing protocols?
Brian_p,
Thanks for your help and comments. I first removed other 6mp (previous tests) from the printers management window. Then put both commands in the terminal. The new printer appeared as new printer: The out.ps file is 107018bytes. No obvious error message in the terminal. But nothing get printed, seems like the jobs get created though.
Edit: got the ppd file from hplip site (http://www.openprinting.org/printer/HP/HP-LaserJet_6MP) and renamed it to fit your command line.
Yes, seriously. Looks like a good laser printer.
It was connected to a mac years ago, printed well and would like to use it again now.
Connectors excepted, was there a substantial evolution in the printing protocols?
Brian_p,
Thanks for your help and comments. I first removed other 6mp (previous tests) from the printers management window. Then put both commands in the terminal. The new printer appeared as new printer: The out.ps file is 107018bytes. No obvious error message in the terminal. But nothing get printed, seems like the jobs get created though.
Edit: got the ppd file from hplip site (http://www.openprinting.org/printer/HP/HP-LaserJet_6MP) and renamed it to fit your command line.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
arvY99 wrote: ⤴Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:53 pm
The out.ps file is 107018bytes. No obvious error message in the terminal. But nothing get printed, seems like the jobs get created though.[/quote[
And it is viewable in a PS viewer?
Why? You were given full, detailed instructions on what to do?Edit: got the ppd file from hplip site (http://www.openprinting.org/printer/HP/HP-LaserJet_6MP) and renamed it to fit your command line.
In the light of your feedback, the filtering system is working well. The connection between computer and printer isn't.
--
Brian.
Brian.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Hi again,
Yes, the file out.ps is readable by xviewer. I've attached it, in case.
I did not know that the ppd file was already in my system. I did again according to your previous post with the system ppd file. Same result.
Still wondering about the 'file:/dev/null' in the command. Does it mean that the instructions for the printer is sent to the null device?
Anyway, looks like I have to find another usb/parallel cable.
Yes, the file out.ps is readable by xviewer. I've attached it, in case.
I did not know that the ppd file was already in my system. I did again according to your previous post with the system ppd file. Same result.
Still wondering about the 'file:/dev/null' in the command. Does it mean that the instructions for the printer is sent to the null device?
Anyway, looks like I have to find another usb/parallel cable.
-
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Why not? Until last year I was using a twenty year old HP 4000 Laserjet which Linux recognised and operated perfectly well.
Cliff Coggin
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
No., but a job sent to the queue is sent to the null device.
Possibly.Anyway, looks like I have to find another usb/parallel cable.
With the usb/parallel cable the computer sees the printer as a USB device. The file lp0 should be in /dev/usb/. Send the printer-ready out.ps directly to the printer (as root) with
Code: Select all
cat out.ps > /dev/usb/lp0
--
Brian.
Brian.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Hi,
Brian_p,
There was no lp0 in /dev/usb/. Lp1 and hiddev0 were there, I tried with the three of them.
When using lp1 a page could be printed, but again with the 'strange' line at the top followed by some spaced black lines. The text was something like '#PS/Cdocg/3/0'Psodwcgd c{ popplgs pdgtops wgsskoo; 0/73/0 (http;//popplgs/gs
Not much joy
Cliffcoggin,
The HP4000 looks like a beast compare to the 6mp
Out of curiosity, what kind of cable/connection were you using?
Brian_p,
There was no lp0 in /dev/usb/. Lp1 and hiddev0 were there, I tried with the three of them.
When using lp1 a page could be printed, but again with the 'strange' line at the top followed by some spaced black lines. The text was something like '#PS/Cdocg/3/0'Psodwcgd c{ popplgs pdgtops wgsskoo; 0/73/0 (http;//popplgs/gs
Not much joy
Cliffcoggin,
The HP4000 looks like a beast compare to the 6mp
Out of curiosity, what kind of cable/connection were you using?
-
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
It was a parallel/parallel cable on LPT1 port. I had the parallel port installed on my computer specifically for this printer as I had heard that parallel/USB cables did not work with regard to printers. It would appear you are confirming that reputation.
The Laserjet 4000 was a fine printer that is still widely used because it was so well built. I would still be using mine were it not for the fact that it was monochrome.
Cliff Coggin
- absque fenestris
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
If the printer was connected to a Mac, is there still a print server around?
So exactly this HP 6MP printer was attached to my Mac (Linux & Windows) network... with the print server, the HP naturally became a PostScript network printer - and ran on pretty much all operating systems.
I experimented with the described Parallel to USB cable years ago - without success.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Cliff,
I did not plan to install a card with a dedicated parallel port for the printer. It might finally be an option since usb/parallel cables do not seem reliable?!?!
It also seems that I put the parallel/parallel cable in the trash when moving last year Would have to get that too.
The problem here seems to be the interface, neither the printer nor the pc itself. Removing the bulky parallel port was maybe a good thing for the makers, thus obliging the customers to go whole-usb
Absque fenestris,
The printer was connected directly to the mac, neither print server at that time nor around now. Thanks to you too about your comment regarding the parallel/usb cable, one more unsuccessful story!
I did not plan to install a card with a dedicated parallel port for the printer. It might finally be an option since usb/parallel cables do not seem reliable?!?!
It also seems that I put the parallel/parallel cable in the trash when moving last year Would have to get that too.
The problem here seems to be the interface, neither the printer nor the pc itself. Removing the bulky parallel port was maybe a good thing for the makers, thus obliging the customers to go whole-usb
Absque fenestris,
The printer was connected directly to the mac, neither print server at that time nor around now. Thanks to you too about your comment regarding the parallel/usb cable, one more unsuccessful story!
- Spearmint2
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- Location: Maryland, USA
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
All things go better with Mint. Mint julep, mint jelly, mint gum, candy mints, pillow mints, peppermint, chocolate mints, spearmint,....
- absque fenestris
- Level 12
- Posts: 4110
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2016 8:42 pm
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Bid on a used print server on eBay.
A new simple print server costs about $50.-.
The printer was connected directly on the Mac? - with LocalTalk...???
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Absque fenestris,
Yes, a direct LocalTalk connection from the mac to the printer. Was working fine with a rather slim cable (compare to the parallel one).
I don't think that this printer has ever been connected to a pc machine before.
Yes, a direct LocalTalk connection from the mac to the printer. Was working fine with a rather slim cable (compare to the parallel one).
I don't think that this printer has ever been connected to a pc machine before.
- absque fenestris
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Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Hello arvY99
there comes memories of 10Base 2 and coax cables. It's been a while since...
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Absque fenestris,
Indeed, it's been a while. No network to connect the printer to, so no print server.
At that time, early 90s, the only network around was elsewhere with coax to connect few rooms and their computers. Internet was through a slow modem...
Indeed, it's been a while. No network to connect the printer to, so no print server.
At that time, early 90s, the only network around was elsewhere with coax to connect few rooms and their computers. Internet was through a slow modem...
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Spearmint2,
Thanks for the links. I will check this product too.
Thanks for the links. I will check this product too.
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Update.
Finally received a pcie-to-parallel card. The printer was recognized as connected to the parallel port on both the full LM19.2 and a lite version where most unused stuff was removed.
So far test page, txt and pdf seem to print fine, just have to clean a bit the inside of the printer from leaked powder.
Good to see this old printer working again after almost 25 years of 'rest'.
Wondering if there is a terminal command that could extract the whole properties of the printer (without using avahi, as seen in other threads; it is not there anymore)? Or might have to install avahi again.
Finally received a pcie-to-parallel card. The printer was recognized as connected to the parallel port on both the full LM19.2 and a lite version where most unused stuff was removed.
So far test page, txt and pdf seem to print fine, just have to clean a bit the inside of the printer from leaked powder.
Good to see this old printer working again after almost 25 years of 'rest'.
Wondering if there is a terminal command that could extract the whole properties of the printer (without using avahi, as seen in other threads; it is not there anymore)? Or might have to install avahi again.
-
- Level 8
- Posts: 2297
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:40 pm
- Location: England
Re: HP LaserJet 6MP: recognized but cannot print
Good to hear you have it running. The parallel cable may be clumsy and bulky compared to a USB cable but the speed of parallel has always been faster in my experience.
Cliff Coggin