Is the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw supported by hplip?

It doesn't have to be supported by HPLIP for printing or scanning - provided
it is network-connected. See

  https://wiki.debian.org/CUPSDriverlessPrinting

and

  https://github.com/alexpevzner/sane-airscan

Brian.

Dear Brian,

thanks for your help. I should have added "via USB" in the question
title and description.

I know that the printer should support network printing via Wi-Fi, but
its reception is so bad that this is not practical in my case. I hence
try to use the printer via a USB connection, which works under Windows
but not under Ubuntu so far.

Is there a step-by-step guide I can follow?

Best wishes,
 Robert

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> It doesn't have to be supported by HPLIP for printing or scanning - provided
> it is network-connected. See
>
> https://wiki.debian.org/CUPSDriverlessPrinting
>
> and
>
> https://github.com/alexpevzner/sane-airscan
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Hello Robert,

> I know that the printer should support network printing via Wi-Fi, but
> its reception is so bad that this is not practical in my case.

How very unfortunate; having the device on the network is by far the
easiest solution.

Here is Plan A: In /usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat edit the
[hp_colorlaserjet_mfp_m178-m181] entry and add

  model11=HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M179fnw

to the model list.

I have no idea whether this will work but have confidence in Plan B if it
is needed.

Cheers,

Brian.

I have added these lines to /usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat

    model11=HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M179fnw
    model12=HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw
    model12=HP Color Laser MFP M179fnw
    model13=HP Color LaserJet MFP M179fnw
    model14=HP Color LaserJet MFP 179fnw

Unfortunately, running hp-check still returns

    error: Unsupported model: HP_Color_Laser_MFP_179fnw

As an aside, I had tried to select the PPD

   hp-color_laserjet_mfp_m178-m181-ps.ppd

that is indicated in the [hp_colorlaserjet_mfp_m178-m181] entry when I
tried to manually set up the printer using cups. But the printer would
not print when installed that way.

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> Hello Robert,
>
> > I know that the printer should support network printing via Wi-Fi, but
> > its reception is so bad that this is not practical in my case.
>
> How very unfortunate; having the device on the network is by far the
> easiest solution.
>
> Here is Plan A: In /usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat edit the
> [hp_colorlaserjet_mfp_m178-m181] entry and add
>
> model11=HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M179fnw
>
> to the model list.
>
> I have no idea whether this will work but have confidence in Plan B if it
> is needed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

> error: Unsupported model: HP_Color_Laser_MFP_179fnw

I did say I hadn't a clue whether this would work.

For Plan B, the output of

  lpinfo -v

is required.

--
Brian.

Thanks, Brian. The output of lpinfo -v is:

  network beh
  network ipps
  network https
  network ipp
  network ipp14
  network lpd
  network socket
  network smb
  network http
  direct
  usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1
  direct hp
  direct hpfax

Cheers,
 Robert

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> brian_p requested more information:
> > error: Unsupported model: HP_Color_Laser_MFP_179fnw
>
> I did say I hadn't a clue whether this would work.
>
> For Plan B, the output of
>
> lpinfo -v
>
> is required.
>
> --
> Brian.
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

The USB URI for the device is

 usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1

The PPD is copied by lpadmin using

 postscript-hp:0/ppd/hplip/HP/hp-color_laserjet_mfp_m178-m181-ps.ppd

Substitute all of this line and the URI in

 lpadmin -p m179fnw -v URI -E -m PPD

and test printing with

 lp -d m179fnw /etc/nsswitch.conf

Brian.

Hi Brian,

I may have misunderstood your instructions. But the line

  sudo lpadmin -p m179fnw -v "usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1" -E -m postscript-hp:0/ppd/hplip/HP/hp-color_laserjet_mfp_m178-m181-ps.ppd

resulted in the error

  lpadmin: Unable to copy PPD file.

I changed the command to

  sudo lpadmin -p m179fnw -v "usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1" -E -P /usr/share/ppd/HP/hp-color_laserjet_mfp_m178-m181-ps.ppd.gz

and that worked. However, then running

  lp -d m179fnw /etc/nsswitch.conf

gives

  request id is m179fnw-23 (1 file(s))

but unfortunately does nothing to the printer. Nothing is printed.

I got the same behaviour when I had originally tried to install the printer
using the above PPD with CUPS, via the GUI at http://localhost:631/.

Cheers,
 Robert

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> The USB URI for the device is
>
> usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1
>
> The PPD is copied by lpadmin using
>
> postscript-hp:0/ppd/hplip/HP/hp-color_laserjet_mfp_m178-m181-ps.ppd
>
> Substitute all of this line and the URI in
>
> lpadmin -p m179fnw -v URI -E -m PPD
>
> and test printing with
>
> lp -d m179fnw /etc/nsswitch.conf
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=6
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

> but unfortunately does nothing to the printer. Nothing is printed.
>
> I got the same behaviour when I had originally tried to install the printer
> using the above PPD with CUPS, via the GUI at http://localhost:631/

Got it! Probable success is likely for your printing. Please see

 https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c06271560#AbT14

**************************
* Print languages SPL *
**************************

Read https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689578

and download and install the same package.

Brian.

Thanks, Brian.

I downloaded the archive

  https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/printers/MFP170/ULDLINUX_V1.00.39_00.12.zip

unpacked it, and ran the install.sh script.

What should I do next? (Sorry for being slow!)

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> > but unfortunately does nothing to the printer. Nothing is printed.
> >
> > I got the same behaviour when I had originally tried to install the printer
> > using the above PPD with CUPS, via the GUI at http://localhost:631/
>
> Got it! Probable success is likely for your printing. Please see
>
> https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c06271560#AbT14
>
> **************************
> * Print languages SPL *
> **************************
>
> Read https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689578
>
> and download and install the same package.
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=8
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

I assume the installation was successful. Check for essential files with

 ls -l /usr.lib/cups/filter/rastertospl
 ls -l /usr/share/ppd/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

Brian.

With your help, I found these files:

  ls -l /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp
  /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp -> /opt/hp/printer/share/ppd

  ls -l /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd
  /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> brian_p requested more information:
> I assume the installation was successful. Check for essential files with
>
> ls -l /usr.lib/cups/filter/rastertospl
> ls -l /usr/share/ppd/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Sorry, the first ls command should have been:

  ls -l /usr/lib/cups/filter/rastertospl
  /usr/lib/cups/filter/rastertospl -> /opt/smfp-common/printer/bin/rastertospl

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> brian_p requested more information:
> I assume the installation was successful. Check for essential files with
>
> ls -l /usr.lib/cups/filter/rastertospl
> ls -l /usr/share/ppd/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Ok Robert, after your initiative, we have some progress. It seems the PPD is
located at

  /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

We know what the USB URI is, so set up a queue by substituting in

 lpadmin -p m179fnw -v URI -E -P PPD

and testing printing.

Brian.

Dear Brian,

that solved it, thanks. I.e. adding the printer with

  sudo lpadmin -p m179fnw -v "usb://HP/Color%20Laser%20MFP%20178%20179?serial=CNB2MDSYZ2&interface=1" -E -P /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

However, the print command

  lp -d m179fnw /etc/nsswitch.conf

just produced gibberish being printed. Printing a pdf document via
okular worked, though. I also removed the printer with

  sudo lpadmin -x m179fnw

and then installed it again via the CUPS interface at

  http://localhost:631/

by specifying the PPD file manually. As expected, that also works. So I
am a happy man. Even scanning works via xsane, which is brilliant.

Thanks for all your help!!!

Cheers,
 Robert

PS: Can I buy you a beer? :)

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> Ok Robert, after your initiative, we have some progress. It seems the PPD is
> located at
>
> /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd
>
> We know what the USB URI is, so set up a queue by substituting in
>
> lpadmin -p m179fnw -v URI -E -P PPD
>
> and testing printing.
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=13
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Maybe as a recap for people finding this discussion later, here is what
solved the issue for me:

1. Get the driver package from

  https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-color-laser-mfp-170-printer-series/24494365

which on the command line can be done with

  cd /tmp && wget https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/printers/MFP170/ULDLINUX_V1.00.39_00.12.zip

2. Unzip and untar the package with

  unzip ULDLINUX_V1.00.39_00.12.zip && cd ULDLINUX_V1.00.39_00.12 && tar xvfz uld.tar.gz

3. Run the installation script with

  cd uld && sudo ./install.sh

4a. Add the printer via the CUPS interface at http://localhost:631/
by manually selecting the PPD file

  /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

OR

4b. Add the printer via lpadmin and the command line via

  sudo lpadmin -p m179fnw -v "URI" -E -P /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd

where URI is the string corresponding to the printer returned by the
command

  lpinfo -v | grep usb

> Your question #689584 on HPLIP changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> brian_p proposed the following answer:
> Ok Robert, after your initiative, we have some progress. It seems the PPD is
> located at
>
> /usr/share/ppd/uld-hp/HP_Color_Laser_MFP_17x_Series.ppd
>
> We know what the USB URI is, so set up a queue by substituting in
>
> lpadmin -p m179fnw -v URI -E -P PPD
>
> and testing printing.
>
> Brian.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584/+confirm?answer_id=13
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/689584
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

A very nice summary, Robert. It happens that in the past few days I have
come across two other users who need to use ULDLINUX. I shall point them
to your helpful post.

Glad you got it sorted. You should now mark the issue as solved.

Cheers,

Brian.

Thanks.

As jofraprez discovered, and helped to fix, there is also an issue
regarding scanning with an HP Laser MFP 135w. This device also
uses ULDLINUX:

 https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=314966

A link to your summary is now provided at

 https://wiki.debian.org/CUPSPrintQueues#hpuld

Cheers,

Brian.

and for a "HP laser MFP 135a" what driver do you suggest today?