Installing parport module

> 1. /etc/modules reads as follows:
> lp
> psmouse
>
> I've had it suggested that I should have parport installed. Is that right, and how do I install it? Do I just add parport to /etc/modules?
>

/etc/modules is there to allow you to specify additional modules over and
above the ones already automatically loaded at boot time.

You can see all modules that are currently loaded (that's the ones that have
been automatically loaded, plus any you specify in /etc/modules, with the
following command:-

$ lsmod

It's likely to be a big list, so to filter it to show only the parport
module you can use grep like this:-

$ lsmod | grep parport

Here's what happens when I run it.

alan@wopr:~$ lsmod | grep parport
parport_pc 37796 1
parport 39496 2 lp,parport_pc

So that's good, and unsurprising given this PC has a parallel port.

In your message you said the light flashes on the printer which I guess
indicates it's receiving data. As such I'd probably rule out the parallel
port. Try using a generic ascii driver, something that will send some basic
text to the printer without using any whacky control codes. That way you can
prove the printer works, and possibly point the finger of destiny at the
printer driver (ppd).

I get:

martin@Ava:~$ lsmod | grep parport
parport_pc 35780 2
parport 36296 3 ppdev,lp,parport_pc

So is that all right? Should I worry about the "ppdev" bit?

> martin@Ava:~$ lsmod | grep parport
> parport_pc 35780 2
> parport 36296 3 ppdev,lp,parport_pc
>
> So is that all right? Should I worry about the "ppdev" bit?
>

Yes, it's fine. The ppdev module provides some additional functionality. I
suspect that I don't have it because I don't have any parallel devices
connected.

Refer to ticket 2077