Question about functionality.

hp-check output would be useful. Its quite possible that we are not parsing
the device ID properly on this device. Some of these devices with their
diverse ink tanks and heads are somewhat problematic to support. The
hp-check output will help me figure out if that's the case or not.

On Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 8:04 PM, tenspd137 <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> New question #43788 on HPLIP:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/43788
>
> I just installed my HP Photosmart Pro B8850 printer with HPLIP 2.8.7
> running on a current Gentoo system. When I open up the control panel, and
> look at supplies, I only see the Photo magenta and cyan print head, and only
> the photo magenta, photo cyan, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. Is it
> supposed to display any of the black inks? If it does not display them,
> does it still use them? I am using the HP Photosmart Pro b8800 series
> Foomatic/hpijs, hpijs 2.8.7.3 driver - is this the correct one? If you
> need it, I will be more than happy to supply you with output of hp-check, or
> anything else you might need. Thank you!
>
>
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a member of HP
> Linux Imaging and Printing, which is an answer contact for HPLIP.
>

Here is the output from hp-check. Also, at the end, I had another question you might be able to help me with...

hp-check[31009]: info: :
Initializing. Please wait...
scheduler is running

1.3.8

Linux Krypton 2.6.25-gentoo-r7 #2 SMP Tue Aug 26 08:26:30 MDT 2008 i686 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux

warning: Invalid ppd_dir value: None
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| SYSTEM INFO |
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mBasic system information:[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :Linux Krypton 2.6.25-gentoo-r7 #2 SMP Tue Aug 26 08:26:30 MDT 2008 i686 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux

hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mDistribution:[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :gentoo 0.0
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01m
HPOJ running?[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :No, HPOJ is not running (OK).
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking Python version...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, version 2.5.2 installed
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking PyQt version...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, version 3.17 installed.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking SIP version...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, Version 4.7.6 installed
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for CUPS...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :Status: scheduler is running
hp-check[31009]: info: :Version: 1.3.8
hp-check[31009]: info: :error_log is set to level: info
note: For troubleshooting printing issues, it is best to have the CUPS 'LogLevel'
note: set to 'debug'. To set the LogLevel to debug, edit the file /etc/cups/cupsd.conf (as root),
note: and change the line near the top of the file that begins with 'LogLevel' to read:
note: LogLevel debug
note: Save the file and then restart CUPS (see your OS/distro docs on how to restart CUPS).
note: Now, when you print, helpful debug information will be saved to the file:
note: /var/log/cups/error_log
note: You can monitor this file by running this command in a console/shell:
note: tail -f /var/log/cups/error_log
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dbus/python-dbus...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :dbus daemon is running.
hp-check[31009]: info: :python-dbus version: 0.83.0
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :------------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
hp-check[31009]: info: :------------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: cups - Common Unix Printing System...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: cups-ddk - CUPS driver development kit...[0m
warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some HPLIP functionality may not function properly.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: cups-devel- Common Unix Printing System development files...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: dbus - Message bus system...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: gcc - GNU Project C and C++ Compiler...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: GhostScript - PostScript and PDF language interpreter and previewer...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libcrypto - OpenSSL cryptographic library...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libjpeg - JPEG library...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libnetsnmp-devel - SNMP networking library development files...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libpthread - POSIX threads library...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libtool - Library building support services...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: libusb - USB library...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: make - GNU make utility to maintain groups of programs...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: PIL - Python Imaging Library (required for commandline scanning with hp-scan)...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: ppdev - Parallel port support kernel module....[0m
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: PyQt - Qt interface for Python...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: python-ctypes - A foreign function library for Python...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: python-dbus - Python bindings for dbus...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: python-devel - Python development files...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: Python 2.3 or greater - Required for fax functionality...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: Python 2.2 or greater - Python programming language...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: Reportlab - PDF library for Python...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library development files...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: scanimage - Shell scanning program...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for dependency: xsane - Graphical scanner frontend for SANE...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| HPLIP INSTALLATION |
hp-check[31009]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mCurrently installed HPLIP version...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :HPLIP 2.8.7 currently installed in '/usr/share/hplip'.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mCurrent contents of '/etc/hp/hplip.conf' file:[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :# hplip.conf. Generated from hplip.conf.in by configure.

[hplip]
version=2.8.7

[dirs]
home=/usr/share/hplip
run=/var/run
ppd=/usr/share/ppd/HP
ppdbase=/usr/share/ppd
doc=/usr/share/doc/hplip-2.8.7
icon=/usr/share/applications
cupsbackend=/usr/libexec/cups/backend
cupsfilter=/usr/libexec/cups/filter
drv=/usr/share/cups/drv/hp

# Following values are determined at configure time and cannot be changed.
[configure]
network-build=yes
pp-build=yes
gui-build=yes
scanner-build=yes
fax-build=yes
dbus-build=yes
cups11-build=no
doc-build=yes
shadow-build=no
foomatic-drv-install=yes
foomatic-ppd-install=yes
foomatic-rip-hplip-install=no
internal-tag=2.8.7.3
restricted-build=no

hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :-------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| DISCOVERED PARALLEL DEVICES |
hp-check[31009]: info: :-------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :No devices found.
error: 'ppdev' kernel module not loaded.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :--------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| DISCOVERED USB DEVICES |
hp-check[31009]: info: :--------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: : Device URI Model
hp-check[31009]: info: : -------------------------------- ------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: : hp:/usb/Photosmart_Pro_B8800_ser HP Photosmart Pro B8800 series
  ies?serial=MY81F11028053V
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| INSTALLED CUPS PRINTER QUEUES |
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mPhotosmart_Pro_B8800[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01m--------------------[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :Type: Printer
hp-check[31009]: info: :Installed in HPLIP?: Yes, using the hp: CUPS backend.
hp-check[31009]: info: :Device URI: hp:/usb/Photosmart_Pro_B8800_series?serial=MY81F11028053V
hp-check[31009]: info: :PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/Photosmart_Pro_B8800.ppd
hp-check[31009]: info: :PPD Description: HP Photosmart Pro b8800 series Foomatic/hpijs, hpijs 2.8.7.3
hp-check[31009]: info: :Printer status: printer Photosmart_Pro_B8800 is idle. enabled since Mon Sep 1 00:48:12 2008

hp-check[31009]: info: :Communication status: Good
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| SANE CONFIGURATION |
hp-check[31009]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01m'hpaio' in '/etc/sane.d/dll.conf'...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found. SANE backend 'hpaio' is properly set up.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking output of 'scanimage -L'...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :device `v4l:/dev/video0' is a Noname BT878 video (Askey CPH05X/06X ( virtual device

hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| PYTHON EXTENSIONS |
hp-check[31009]: info: :---------------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking 'cupsext' CUPS extension...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking 'pcardext' Photocard extension...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking 'hpmudext' I/O extension...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking 'scanext' SANE scanning extension...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :-----------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| USB I/O SETUP |
hp-check[31009]: info: :-----------------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :[01mChecking for permissions of USB attached printers...[0m
hp-check[31009]: info: :
HP Device 0xd002 at 001:004:
hp-check[31009]: info: : Device URI: hp:/usb/Photosmart_Pro_B8800_series?serial=MY81F11028053V
hp-check[31009]: info: : Device node: /dev/bus/usb/001/004
hp-check[31009]: info: : Mode: 0664
hp-check[31009]: info: :getfacl: Removing leading '/' from absolute path names

# file: dev/bus/usb/001/004

# owner: root

# group: lp

user::rw-

group::rw-

other::r--

hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :-----------
hp-check[31009]: info: :| SUMMARY |
hp-check[31009]: info: :-----------
hp-check[31009]: info: :
error: 2 errors and/or warnings.
hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :Please refer to the installation instructions at:
hp-check[31009]: info: :http://hplip.sourceforge.net/install/index.html

hp-check[31009]: info: :
hp-check[31009]: info: :Done.

I am not interested in the warning - I recently made a new kernel, and I have no parallel devices anyway - it should not be a problem. Also, I was wondering if you could help me with an image quality issue. I like to edit in Cinepaint because I can use the 16 bit range as opposed to the 8bit range in Gimp. I printed from the Gutenprint driver according to the directions on the HPLIP site. The print straight from the 16 bit image has little lines or streaks. Just to make sure it was not a print head problem, I saved it as an 8 bit tiff file and then printed frim Windows ( I use a VM for some devices and to test, also a good development environment ) Anyway - no lines from the windows printed image (I don't have photoshop, so I had to make it an 8 bit tiff first) Are there any settings I can tweak to improve the output? I also will try to print an 8 bit image from the GIMP to see how that looks - (for now I might just go the route of editing in 16 bits and at the very end going to 8) I know you guys have a lot of printers to support and it is kind of an "under the radar activity" (I work for HP Boise) - Is there some way I can help to improve the driver - any info I can give you? I don't know much about printer drivers themselves (that isn't my area) but with some guidance, I am willing to learn.

Thanks for your help - and by the way - otherwise, I think the HPLIP is a really neat system, awesome idea! I have been very happy with it so far, just want to help improve som of the IQ if possible - (IQ is my area :) ).

Never mind - what I thought was a possible driver problem was me just forgetting to change from a mixed mode to photo mode. Pictures look great now! Now just back to the supplies status problem - let me know if I can provide any more info.

Thanks!

Sorry - I have one more question - is there a way to print B/W photos with the gray only inks? I guess what I am worried about is that I don't want to always print B/W and burn through all of my color cartridges. I was wondering if the driver takes advantage of the different gray inks, or only uses the standard CMYK / CMY. Thanks again!

Any of the grayscale print modes will use the black pen only.

Ok - the printer has photo black, photo gray, and regular black. Is there a way to make grayscale print with only the photo gray inks, like in the Windows driver. Earlier I did a test:

Windows composite gray: Looks dark, outside has greenish tint.
Windows gray only inks: Looks warmer inside, outside looks more neutral
Linux grayscale: looks like windows composite gray.

Is there a way / would it be possible to add a mode that used the photogrpahic grays to create a more neutral looking B/W print? Could the driver / PPD be made so that it is aware of the photo grays. This also ties into making the toolbox recognize all the inks and print heads.

Thanks!

We are looking into this. Thanks for your patience.

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 1:28 PM, tenspd137 <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Question #43788 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/43788
>
> Status: Answered => Open
>
> tenspd137 is still having a problem:
> Ok - the printer has photo black, photo gray, and regular black. Is
> there a way to make grayscale print with only the photo gray inks, like
> in the Windows driver. Earlier I did a test:
>
> Windows composite gray: Looks dark, outside has greenish tint.
> Windows gray only inks: Looks warmer inside, outside looks more neutral
> Linux grayscale: looks like windows composite gray.
>
> Is there a way / would it be possible to add a mode that used the
> photogrpahic grays to create a more neutral looking B/W print? Could
> the driver / PPD be made so that it is aware of the photo grays. This
> also ties into making the toolbox recognize all the inks and print
> heads.
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a member of HP
> Linux Imaging and Printing, which is an answer contact for HPLIP.
>

If you need any help, please let me know - I don't know anything about writing printer drivers and such, but I would be more than happy to help test things if need be.

Thanks again!

We'll be adding a gray mode in the future.

Thanks for contacting HPLIP.

Aaron