Cannot install HPLIP 3.12.10a

Hi,

Can you try following things.
=> Download and install the latest HPLIP release from
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install/install/index.html (automatic installer) or
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install/manual/index.html (manual installation, if automatic installer is not supported)

=> run "hp-check --fix" command in the terminal if manual installation is done

=> Reconfigure print queue with the commands in the terminal mentioned below.
       => system-config-printer (remove all print queues)
      => sudo hp-plugin (This will download right plugin)
       => hp-setup (It should not be run in a root mode. This command is adding print queue, make sure you select ppd name having "-ps" or "hpcups" substring)
=>Try printing now.

Also please refer to https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/211854

Sorry, I think you may have misunderstood my question. I installed HPLIP 3.12.10a and the installation apparently went faultlessly. The printer was picked up and the queue ran. BUT (& unfortunately it's a big but), I was left without access to the root account. Ubuntu lets you use your own password to get admin privilege, which I had done during the installation. Afterwards I found my account had been downgraded to a "normal" account and I couldn't use it to either create another superuser account or do any further installations. In effect the system was "frozen" as was and I could do nothing to change that state of affairs. So I saw no option but to do another clean install. Ok, but now I am back to 3.12.6 and can't (or daren't) upgrade again. My question is "how can I install 3.12.10 without leaving my account unable to access superuser mode?" I think it's the "make" routine that does it, but just what it does I have no idea.

Hello Norman,

We never saw this kind of issue while testing. Can you provide some more information (at the time of installation)?

1)Did you log into to the system as normal user or as a root?
2)Did you run the installer in root mode or normal user in the terminal?
3)While installing did you provide sudo password or root password?

Thanks,
Sanjay

Hi Sanjay

In answer to your questions:

1) I was logged in as myself. In Ubuntu there is no root account (at least not available through the GUI), one just uses sudo. So
2) I followed the instructions given at http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install/manual/distros/ubuntu.html
3) At some point during the installation I had to provide a sudo password in order to carry out one of the instructions. unfortunately I don't remember where or when.

I was totally happy with the installation until the next time I logged in to the system. then when I tried to use "sudo" again I was told that I was not on the list of sudoers. I could not get back on to the list because there was no account available to me that would allow me to carry out any mods to the /etc/sudoers file. I am assuming it was the HPLIP installation that altered my account. Hope that helps

Norman

I note that 3.12.10a will be officially out for Ubuntu 12.10 next week. This should solve all these problems and make this question redundant. I guess I can wait until then, so I'll mark this question as "solved".

Hi Norman,

As per my understanding, you might have overwritten groups instead of adding "lp" group. (from http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install/manual/distros/ubuntu.html).

I.e.
--> incorrect command, this replaces the groups.
 $ sudo usermod -G lp $USER"
--> Correct command, this appends "lp" group to existing groups.
$ sudo usermod -a -G lp $USER

However next HPLIP release will support ubuntu 12.10 auto installation.

Thanks & Regards,
Amarnath