Ubuntu

How to install .ppd file

Asked by Wfritzr

Finally found a new driver for my lexmark 3200. It got downloaded to desktop as "Lexmark-3200-lxm3200-tweaked.ppd".
I have no clue how to install it but tried the following:

 fwr@Ubuntu40:~$ sudo apt-get install /Lexmark-3200-lxm3200-tweaked.ppd
[sudo] password for fwr:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package

fwr@Ubuntu40:~$ sudo apt-get install /home/fwr/Desktop/Lexmark-3200-lxm3200-tweaked.ppd
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package
fwr@Ubuntu40:~$

Didn't work.
Please help, as I said I really don't have a clue!

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phoozle
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Best phoozle (phoozle) said : 		#1

Apt-get is now for installing packages from a local source. Rather apt-get install will search defined repositories and download the package from an Internet mirror.

E.G. apt-get install firefox will install the latest stable version of firefox.

"PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files are created by vendors to describe the entire set of features and capabilities available for their PostScript printers."

So basically its a driver which needs to be loaded into Cups which is used for printing on Mac and other 'Unix like' machines (Ubuntu).

What version of Ubuntu are you running? Get in the habit of telling people what version you are running, it can help us help you.

Try this: System > Administration > Printing > New > and see if it picks up your printer. If it does try and install it and it may ask for a ppd driver which you have :)

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phoozle (phoozle) said : 		#2

*apt-get is not for install packages from a local source nor will install PPDs. Apt-get doesn't install everything for Ubuntu, it only does .deb files.

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Wfritzr (wfritzr) said : 		#3

Thanks phoozle, that solved my question.

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Wfritzr (wfritzr) said : 		#4

That was very helpful and informative, thanks again.

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phoozle (phoozle) said : 		#5

No problem :)