Lexmark X7350 printer problem in Ubuntu 7.04

Unfortunately, there is no Linux driver available for your printer, and there is no way of using Windows printer drivers in Linux. If you plan to print from your Ubuntu computer, you will have to get another printer.

Thank you Caleb,
what about Wine? Can Windows driver be used with it?

Wine can only be used for Windows applications, not drivers.

Sorry for being so insistent, but after 10 days of straggling with this issue I don't want to just give-up.
There are many smart people out there - may be you know someone who could write such drivers? As I stated before, Lexmark is offering developers kit for it.

openprinting.org is the best site for information on how to use printers with Linux, because they actually manage CUPS, which is the Linux printing system. According to this chart of Lexmark printers, they don't even know about your printer and most printers with names close to yours are "paperweights." You could try other drivers for Lexmark printers, but I doubt that this will work.

If you are looking for a new printer, HP is a good choice. As you can see in this chart, the vast majority of their printers work perfectly with Linux: http://openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=HP

It looks like I was a bit to ambitious trying to make my printer, which I like, to work with Ubuntu. I was hoping for some constructive help/advise. This is the end of my 11th day of trying to make it work. I am frustrated, tired and I give up. Now I am going to reformat my hard drive and load Windows XP back on it again.

I am posting this for others to be aware. Don't get me wrong, I found Linux to be a great system and I'd love to use it, but drivers for devices like scanners and printers are not there yet. Yes, some devices are supported in various degrees, but if you have one which you like - you better check before you say your final good bye to Windows. I wasn't able to find any support for my Lexmark anywhere. You can easily find hundreds of different skins for various versions of Linux (one can imagine thousands of man hours spent on them) but somehow translation of windows drivers to Linux got overlooked. To me that's a matter of priorities not being in the right order. For average user tools come before toys and, like for me, regardless how much I would like to switch to Linux, if I can't print my work - it is pretty much useless.

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The fact here is that you blindly decided to install Ubuntu over
Windows, without even a dual-boot as a safety net. You apparently
didn't test your printer with the LiveCD, and as a result, you've lost
your Windows settings and software. I recommend using the LiveCD to
its fullest potential to make sure your software works.

As for converting Windows drivers to Linux, it's harder than you make
it sound. Linux developers are spending ridiculous amounts of time
trying to keep up with the latest hardware, and frankly, considering
the hardware companies (except for a few, like HP) aren't helping
them, they're doing a damn good job. Instead of asking Linux
developers to spend more time developing driver wrappers and drivers,
why don't you ask the hardware companies to give them a hand and
develop drivers themselves, or at least release the hardware
specifications? Every request counts, and if enough people ask for it,
the hardware companies WILL develop Linux drivers.

Lastly, when your printer breaks or you decide to get a new one, try
looking for one listed at http://linuxprinting.org as working
perfectly. HP is a pretty good choice for this, although there are
many other working printers. Once you have a Linux-compatible printer,
give Ubuntu another try. By that time, it'll be even better and easier
to use than it is now, and with a working printer, I'm sure you'll
love it.
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Caleb, just to set some facts straight:

1. I didn't just blindly "jump" into Linux OS. My hard drive crashed and I found it a perfect opportunity to start with the "blank page", so please don't assume that I'm a "blonde".
2. I am not trying to say that writing new drivers is easy. I am aware that with hundreds of different models out there and new ones being added every day this is a very challenging project, but nevertheless, a very important one. In my opinion, more important than many of the graphic gizmos, which are available every ware by hundreds.
3. For the record, I did ask Lexmark's tech support about those drivers before posting my question here. As a matter of fact I kept calling them for 2 days in both Canada and their US centre. I did request speaking with tech rep's supervisor in both cases and gave them hard time about the issue. In addition, I've send my inquiry online to their online help centre. To top it up, I've also send them two email requests; one from my Canadian email address and one from Europe. If everyone who needs drivers did only half of what I've done we wouldn't have this problem today. No offense, but you missed totally with your comment about asking hardware companies to give Linux developers a hand.
4. When was the last time you checked Lexmark's site for specs? Their LINUX DEVELOPER KIT can be found at:

http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/sequentialem/home/0,6959,204816596_659668505_0_en,00.html

The Lexmark Linux Printer Driver Development Kit (LLPDDK) provides libraries needed to develop and promote custom printer and scanner drivers' development for the Linux operating system. These libraries allow communication with Lexmark Inkjet printers and Lexmark All-In-Ones, as well as printing across popular print subsystems and scanning using the SANE standards.

5. I am not abandoning Ubuntu. I am installing it as a 2nd system on my computer. It's unfortunate that nobody could advise me of any "band aid" solution to this printer driver issue. While using Windows for my printing needs, I will continue to search for the more convenient solution, and when I find it, I might be able to contribute to the Linux project myself.

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I'm sorry, I realize now that I sort of got you wrong. Thanks for
contacting Lexmark, and for still considering Ubuntu. Most people by
now would simply give up and insult the operating system, but you
clearly understand what's going on. Here's the thing about using Linux
and Windows: Once you install Windows again, it will wipe out your
Ubuntu bootloader. If you want, I can walk you through re-enabling the
Linux loader and setting Windows as the default OS. Just email me (you
can find me email address at my Launchpad page, I believe. If you
can't, it should be the same as my Jabber ID.
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