Insert disclaimer here. YMMV. These instructions are provided “as is” without any warranty whatsoever. Proceed at your own risk. You have been warned.
Configuring devices in Linux is, many times, not as easy as it is in Windows because device manufacturers tend to create the drivers Windows needs, but do not do so for other operating systems.
I came across this, in kind of a reverse sort of way, when I recently replaced the hard drive in my PC at work because it was running out of space. Rather than try to clone the Windows and Xandros partitions, which I think I could of done with PartitionMagic, I decided to install everything from scratch (replacing Xandros with Ubuntu). I won’t go into detail why I decided to do things that way but, essentially, Windows seems to run faster when you do a clean install.
In any case, as part of re-doing things, I needed to install the printer driver for our Xerox 4110. This is a network connected copier/scanner. I couldn’t remember for sure how I installed the Windows software but I thought I just used the “Add Printer” wizard, chose a network connected install, typed in the IP address, and pointed Windows at the drivers. But, I guess not because that didn’t work this time. I tried various variations but just could not get connected to the Xerox machine. I could ping it, but the Wizard could not connect to it. I even tried adding the default port (9100) to the IP address but that didn’t work. As a last resort, I tried shutting down the Windows firewall but that didn’t make a difference. So I gave up and decided to try to connect via Ubuntu Linux.
Once booted in Ubuntu, I clicked on System/Administration/Printing and then clicked on the “New Printer” button. Up popped a dialog box that required two actions: choose the connection type and enter the IP address. The selections for connection type included: LPT #1, AppSocket/HP JetDirect, Internet Printing Protocol (ipp), LPD/LPR Host or Printer, Windows Printer via SAMBA, and Other. What you see and which you need to choose is dependent on how your system is set-up. For me, I chose “LPD/LPR Host or Printer” because this is the default set-up for the 4110. I then typed in the IP address and clicked on the “Probe” button. I have no idea what the Probe button is supposed to do and as far as I could see, it didn’t do anything. I then clicked on the “Forward” button.
Select Connection and Location
At this point, I should note that if you don’t already have the PostScript driver for the 4110, you will need to download that from Xerox here. I chose the Windows XP version, saved the zipped file to a directory, and extracted the files. The specific file you will need is the one with the .ppd extension located in /your directory/4110_WHQL_PS_Eng_Driver/PrinterDriver/Win2K_XP.
To continue with the installation, after you click on the “Forward” button, Ubuntu will search for a default driver. It will, of course, fail as the driver you need is not part of the default database. A new dialogue box will then pop up asking you to either choose a driver from the database or provide a PPD file. I chose the PPD file option and pointed Ubuntu to the file by navigating to where I had downloaded and unzipped the file.
Provide PPD file
Once I had selected the file and clicked on the forward button, I came to a new screen that asks if there are any of several options that may be installed on the 4110. I left the defaults but you may need to change some things.
Installed Options
Click on “Forward” and the next screen asks you fill in a printer name (I used Xerox 4110), description (Xerox 4110), and Location (copier room).
Printer Name, Description, and Location
Clicking on “Forward” should bring you to the last screen where you can print a test page and, if you wish, make this your default printer (mine is an HP LaserJet 2200D so I didn’t choose the Xerox as the default). If all went well, a test page should be waiting for you at the Xerox machine. If not, I guess you’ll have to try some troubleshooting.
Aloha!
Final screen
UPDATE
If, like me, you weren’t able to get printing working under Windows, you may wish to try the procedure below. As before, YMMV, insert disclaimer here, if you don’t know what you are doing, don’t
do this.
In Windows, start the printer wizard and click the “Next” button.
Add printer wizard.
At this screen, keep the default “Local printer attached to this computer.” Yes, I know, the Xerox 4110 is not connected to your PC through a regular port but this is the way to get to configure a new port. So, ensure local printer is chosen and click the “Next” button.
Local printer attached to this computer.
The next screen will show Windows searching for a new Plug and Play printer. Since the 4110 is not a Plug and Play printer, Windows won’t find it. Click “Next”
Install printer manually.
Here you choose “Create a new port:” with the type of port being “Standard TCP/IP Port”.
Click “Next”
Create a new port: Standard TCP/IP Port.
Add port welcome screen.
At the Add Port screen you will need to enter the “Printer Name or IP Address” of the 4110. As you fill in the address, Windows will automatically create a Port Name, which I left as is.
Printer IP Address.
Windows does not have the driver for a 4110, so you will need to click on the “Have Disk…” button.
Have Disk button.
Now you navigate to where you have the 4110 printer driver stored. I will assume you’ve already downloaded the driver from Xerox and unzipped it into a directory. Where ever that directory is, is where you “Browse…” to and select the applicable .inf file.
Install from disk.
The rest of the screen captures are self explanatory.
Do not make this your default printer unless it is your default.
Print test page.
Done.
