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Old 7th July 2008
Shagbag Shagbag is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Default /dev/ulpt0 doesn't respond

I'm using OpenBSD 4.3-RELEASE and I'm trying to get printing working.

I have an HP LaserJet 1018 monochrome (ie. black & white only) printer. Unlike most HP LaserJets, this printer is one of a handful of HP printers that don't use the PostScript wire protocol (the protocol on the wire between the printer driver and the printer). Instead, it uses a more efficient, but proprietary protocol called ZjStream.

Fortunately, there is an open source 'translator' called foo2zjs that translates a PostScript file (coming from CUPS) into a ZjStream file just before it's sent to the printer.

I've downloaded, compiled and installed foo2zjs as per the INSTALL instructions for OpenBSD in the foo2zjs tarball. However, I'm having problems actually printing from OpenBSD to the HPLJ1018.

The HPLJ1018 does not have a "persistent" firmware. Instead, its firmware must be downloaded to it every time it is powered up. This is easily achieved with the cat command:
Code:
$ cat /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl > /dev/???
where "???" is the device node for the printer. The problem I'm having is that I can't seem to get a working device node.

When I power up the HPLJ1018 and plug it in to one of my PC's USB ports, dmesg shows:
Code:
ulpt0 at uhub0 port 2 configuration 1 interface 0 "Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet 1018" rev 2.00/1.00 addr 2
 ulpt0: using bi-directional mode
However, when I try:
Code:
$ cat /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl > /dev/ulpt0
The terminal cursor just hangs. The same thing happens when I try it as root. Eventually, things time out and I get the response:
Code:
ksh: cannot create /dev/ulpt0: Device busy
My /var/log/cups/error_log doesn't show anything suspicious and /var/log/messages only contains the unenlightening:
Code:
Jul  7 12:56:54 zonbu /bsd: ulpt0 at uhub0
Jul  7 12:56:54 zonbu /bsd:  port 2 configuration 1 interface 0 "Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet 1018" rev 2.00/1.00 addr 2
Jul  7 12:56:54 zonbu /bsd: ulpt0: using bi-directional mode
Can anyone suggest how I can solve this riddle (nightmare?)?
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