Very Computer

I'm trying to get my new workgroup printer (HP LJ4000N) to work.
Data flows and ink sticks to paper like it should but there's
some trouble with invoking a filter with lpr command.

My /etc/printcap entry looks like this:
HP4000N|hp4000n:lp=:sd=/var/spool/lpd/stips3:rm=ip.address.here:\
       :if=/var/spool/lpd/stips3/filter:lf=/var/log/lpd-errs:

And my /var/spool/lpd/stips3/filter looks like this:
#!/bin/sh
/usr/bin/tr -d '\r' | /var/spool/lpd/a2ps -x

The problem is such that when using lpr the data clearly doesn't
go through the filter. If the file doesn't contain ^M:s the printer
doesn't recognise line feeds. Also, the filter should make the
printer to print two pages on one with borders and some header
information.

'a2ps | lpr' works fine -> the problem is either in filter or
in printcap..

We currently have a HP LJ4MP machine connected to LPT1 and it
works fine with an printcap entry like this:
HP4MP|hp4mp:lp=/dev/lp1:sd=/var/spool/lpd/stips2:sh:mx#0:\
        :if=/var/spool/lpd/stips2/filter:lf=/var/log/lpd-errs:

ls -la /var/spool/lpd/stips3/ shows:
drwxrwxr-x   2 root     daemon       1024 Jan  8 11:53 .
drwxrwxr-x   7 root     lp           1024 Jan  6 20:47 ..
-rw-rw---x   1 root     lp              4 Jan  8 11:53 .seq
-rwxr-xr-x   1 root     root           55 Jan  6 20:47 filter
-rw-rw-r--   1 root     daemon         19 Jan  8 11:53 lock
-rw-rw-r--   1 root     daemon         27 Jan  8 11:53 status

Any advice will be appreciated. Also email - but my address needs
some modification:

Erka

Quote:>>>>> "Erka" == Erka Koivunen <Erka.Koivunen.hut.fi> writes:

Are you sure you're filter is being invoked?  Here's what
I'd do to my filter to ensure this... assuming bourne shell:

DEBUG="N"

if [ $DEBUG = "Y" ] ; then

   set -x

   exec 1>/usr/tmp/lpr-to-lp.log 2>&1

   echo "Called with \\c" > /dev/console

      echo " $i"\\c > /dev/console
   done

   echo > /dev/console
fi

or something to the above...  the reason I ask is that I
recall reading the printcap manual and it says that some
filters get invoked for different types of files.  Perhaps
your file is tickling lpd to want to use another filter...
just a random thought...

The other thing to do is to use strace and to trace lpd and
its child(ren) when you execute the print command to see
what's going on... this always works for me.  Takes the
mystery out of things...
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Erka.Koivunen.hut.fi:

Quote:> some trouble with invoking a filter with lpr command.

> My /etc/printcap entry looks like this:
> HP4000N|hp4000n:lp=:sd=/var/spool/lpd/stips3:rm=ip.address.here:\
>        :if=/var/spool/lpd/stips3/filter:lf=/var/log/lpd-errs:
..
> And my /var/spool/lpd/stips3/filter looks like this:
> #!/bin/sh
> /usr/bin/tr -d '\r' | /var/spool/lpd/a2ps -x

When I do cat|filter|lpr everything works fine. I heard a
rumor that you can't put filter in printcap for network
printer.. Seems like it but is not very logical.

I think I need help with this one.

Erka, modify my email if also sending mail
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