Need Linux Help

[Frankie]

I've decided to get into Linux and I've installed Ubuntu on my old computer. I'm having a problem getting my printer to work.

I have a Brother MFC 7420 and I can't seem to find a driver for it, or I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

In any case, can anyone lead me in the right direction or provide some assistance? Thanks.

 

[Fineghal]

Really? What exactly doesn't work?

Link here: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-104772.html
Makes it seem as though it can work fairly well. Referenced link here: http://solutions.brother.com/linux/en_us/index.html

After a bit of reading, I believe you will need: The LPR driver, and a Cups wrapper, as well as either the hack he used, or the SANE scanning driver.

You'll first want to install the Debian LPR drivers from here:
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/lpr_drivers.html#de

Next comes the CUPS wrapper.
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/cups_drivers.html#1

These debs should install with a dpkg -i [name].
if not use the force switch. (Details http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/cups_wrapper_install5.html)

This
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/linux_faq.html#7
has the details on scanner fixes, either usb edit or sane driver.

In retrospect I probably should've done this from something other than the quick reply box.

Good Luck!
Vendor sites usually have SOMETHING about linux on them, you just have to look for it a bit.

 

[Frankie]

Originally posted by: Fineghal
Really? What exactly doesn't work?

Link here: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-104772.html
Makes it seem as though it can work fairly well. Referenced link here: http://solutions.brother.com/linux/en_us/index.html

After a bit of reading, I believe you will need: The LPR driver, and a Cups wrapper, as well as either the hack he used, or the SANE scanning driver.

You'll first want to install the Debian LPR drivers from here:
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/lpr_drivers.html#de

Next comes the CUPS wrapper.
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/cups_drivers.html#1

These debs should install with a dpkg -i [name].
if not use the force switch. (Details http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/cups_wrapper_install5.html)

This
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/linux_faq.html#7
has the details on scanner fixes, either usb edit or sane driver.

In retrospect I probably should've done this from something other than the quick reply box.

Good Luck!
Vendor sites usually have SOMETHING about linux on them, you just have to look for it a bit.

Thanks. I'll do some more reading. I'm new to linux so I'm not familiar with LPR drivers and wrappers

 

[Fineghal]

Solution here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=105703

Change the driver names etc. to the ones for your particular printer. Should work fairly well...

Ubuntu has an astoundingly active community. If you have a problem that hasn't been discussed (and a quick forum search will check) it is usually resolved in a matter of hours, in my experience.

Note: I /think/ you should be able to ignore the part about installing the c-shell.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Fineghal

Ubuntu has an astoundingly active community. If you have a problem that hasn't been discussed (and a quick forum search will check) it is usually resolved in a matter of hours, in my experience.

qft

im thinking of switching to straight Debian when i get my new laptop in (or perhaps another OS or distro) because I have no interest in keeping vista more than a week or two, for the sake of being every so slightly familiar with it.

but im using Xubuntu now, and the community support on the ubuntu forums is great.

 

[aidanjm]

the best approach is to look for someone who has successfully installed the same model of printer with ubuntu, and hope they have written a tutorial for it. often the tutorials will be posted on ubuntuforums.