Ubuntu
cups package

Driver for Canon Pixma MP250 and Ubuntu 11.10

Asked by Peter Block

I was thrilled with Ubuntu this afternoon after installing it for the first time. Until I tried to get my printer to work. Looking at the forums, I see that many mightier than I have tried and failed. So here are my questions:

1. Is there any way to get my Canon Pixma MP250 printer/scanner to work with Ubuntu 11.10?

2. If not, is there another flavor or version of Linux that will work with this printer?

3. If not, is there any other affordable inkjet printer that will work with any current flavor or version of Linux?

4. With this degree of bother and failure trying to get a printer to work, how can Linux be so popular and growing in its user base? What do most Linux users do when they want to print something? I can't imagine that most users will be willing to give up printing!

I'm using Ubuntu 11.10 on a Dell Latitude D630 with 4 Mb of RAM running at 2.2 GHz and a 250 Gb hard drive.

I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks.

Peter

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actionparsnip
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Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

The spec of the system is irrelevant. Your issue is with a printer.

Hit the Canon Europe site and it may have a Linux driver listed. They do make some Linux drivers.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

You would have to do the EXACT same process in Windows, so you could say the exact same thing about Windows couldn't you... You don't have to give up on printing. What a ridiculous statement.

Revision history for this message
Peter Block (thispeterguy) said : 		#3

Andrew,

> You would have to do the EXACT same process
> in Windows, so you could say the exact same
> thing about Windows couldn't you...

Not really. The process in Windows involved using a driver that came with the printer and getting the printer to work with no problem. The process in Ubuntu involves searching Canon sites worldwide, reading stories of dozens of other unsuccessful attempts to get this printer to work on Ubuntu, posting requests for help, and receiving this rhetorical response from you.

So no. I can't say the same thing about Windows.

> You don't have to give up on printing. What a
> ridiculous statement.

Well, after half a day so far of unsuccessful efforts, it isn't looking ridiculous to me.

Apparently you think I'm doing something stupid. I'd like to know what it is.

That would be a constructive response.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

> Not really. The process in Windows involved using a driver that came with the printer and getting the printer to work with no problem.

What if you don't have the CD?

> Apparently you think I'm doing something stupid. I'd like to know what it is.

You didn't go to the website to check for support, as I have advised...

Revision history for this message
Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

sudo apt-get install unp
unp ./mp250_debian_driver_pack.tar
unp ./cnijfilter-mp250series-3.20-1-i386-deb.tar.gz
cd cnijfilter-mp250series-3.20-1-i386-deb/packages/
sudo dpkg -i ./*deb

Will install the printer driver. You need to download the file from the canon website. Or you can use this dropbox link if you like.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8850924/mp250_debian_driver_pack.tar

That will make the printer work...

Revision history for this message
Peter Block (thispeterguy) said : 		#6

Andrew,

> What if you don't have the CD?

You mean for Windows? I had the CD. If I didn't have it, I would have downloaded the Windows driver. Because it's available, and it works.

> You didn't go to the website to check for support, as I have advised...

Maybe you missed it, but I said I went to Canon websites worldwide.

At some point, I'm hoping maybe someone can offer a suggestion I haven't already tried and said I've tried.

Peter

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Peter Block (thispeterguy) said : 		#7

Andrew,

Seems we posted our last almost simultaneously.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try.

Peter

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Peter Block (thispeterguy) said : 		#8

Wunderbar!!!!!

Andrew, you're an artist, a technician, and a prince of a fellow! It worked!

I am an absolute newbie. This is my first Linux install of any kind, and I've never done any command line stuff in Linux before this. (Just in DOS years ago.) I used your dropbox link, typed in the commands following your instructions exactly, and I just printed a test file.

You're good.

Many thanks. Props to you, bro.

Peter

Revision history for this message
Peter Block (thispeterguy) said : 		#9

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#10

There are also debs for the scanner portion of the device if you need it, also check the canon site