Ubuntu
xsane package

xsane will not function other than via the terminal window

Asked by Robert Friendship

Hi, I've been reading the FAQ to see if I could fix my own problem, Brother MFC 5440CN. (Ubuntu 10.10)

I can print ok but not scan when selecting either the simple scan or xSane from the Applications menu.

Using xSane, the device is searched for and I get a window advising "Failed to open device 'brother 2:bus8;dev1' Invalid argument.

However, if I enter sudo xsane in the terminal window all works fine. (Simple Scan and xsane)

May I ask what I have done incorrectly during installation.

I too am a novice. (but Ubuntu is fantastic!)

Thank you in advance.

Bob F.

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Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#1

please tell the command you type...

Revision history for this message
Robert Friendship (bobfriendship) said : 		#2

Thank you for answering, Marco.

I was following advice given in QA 140799. The person was having problems
scanning with his Brother MFC. It was resolved.

I am only able to scan if I open the terminal window and type

sudo xsane

I then have to enter my password and I get a warning saying it is very
dangerous to open xsane in Root. If I choose to continue, I can then use my
scanner as I wish and all functionality seems to be available.

This is all the information I have. It is sometime since I downloaded the
drivers from Brother. I believe I may have installed two variations, but I
can't remember now.

I apolgise for the lack of information.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you.
(I guess i could just use the terminal window if all else fails.)

Bob F.

I use BullGuard to keep my computer clean.
Try BullGuard for free: www.bullguard.com

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#3

first please open the menu System→Administration→User and groups and check the permissions of your user please give all permissions using the "Advanced settings" go to "Users Priviledges" and set all permissions

then retry if doesn't works please try something like this:

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-166944.html

Revision history for this message
Robert Friendship (bobfriendship) said : 		#4

Yes, Marco, both options work via the terminal window, but neither work
directly from the Accessories menu.

I must be missing something here?

Thank you again,

Bob F.

I use BullGuard to keep my computer clean.
Try BullGuard for free: www.bullguard.com

Revision history for this message
Robert Friendship (bobfriendship) said : 		#5

I do apologise, Marco, I'm reading your e mails in my Windows application
and am not reading all of your directions. I will do as you advise when I
next use the PC concerned.

Thank you very much.

If I may, I will advise you the result.

Kind regards,

Bob F.

I use BullGuard to keep my computer clean.
Try BullGuard for free: www.bullguard.com

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

Did you install the brscan package from the brother website?

Revision history for this message
Robert Friendship (bobfriendship) said : 		#7

@actionpartnership..

Hello, yes, I did as far as I recall. I apologize for being vague.

Could I have placed it in the incorrect directory? Why does it warn me about opening xsane in ROOT when doing so in the terminal window?

Bob F.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#8

The package will place the files in the rightplace, that's their job. Unnecessarily running apps as root isn't a good idea, hence the warning, the files made will be owned by root too :)

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