Ubuntu: Cannot disable smart install for HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401d

[Yannick Lagrange]

I am running Ubuntu 13.10 on an HP desktop, and I have an HP printer -- an HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401d, connected to the desktop via a USB port.

Currently, if I want to print a document, here's what I have to do:

1) Reboot
2) Re-install the printer
3) Print.

This is not good. Note that this procedure works, for a while, so the problem is not with e.g. dodgy wires.

If I use cups to see an overview of installed printers, my HP printer's status is 'Idle' initially (when it's working) and then later on 'Idle - "Filter Failed"' (when it has stopped).

I have tried using hplip -- both the one that comes with Ubuntu 13.10 and the more recent one from HP's website.

I am confused about what the problem is. If I run hp-doctor I get (after a bunch of stuff)

    error: Smart Install is enabled in "HP LaserJet 400 M401d" device(s).
    Do you want to download and disable smart install?(y=yes*, n=no):

If I hit yes, then I get

    error: Failed to disable smart install.
    error: Please refer link 'http://hplipopensource.com/node/367' to disable manually

I've looked at this link and tried options within it. In fact there's a glitch in step 2b of that page, at least on my computer: lsusb needs to be fed the -v option in order for the suggested check to do what it is supposed to do, on my computer. Here's the output:

$ lsusb -s 001:010 -v | grep bInterfaceClass
      bInterfaceClass 8 Mass Storage

So the printer is being recognised as a mass storage device. I've tried the scripts on http://hplipopensource.com/node/367 and they don't work either.

I've attached the output of hp-check 2>&1 .

I really feel we're back to the bad old days here with Linux. I just don't understand how it can still be the case in 2013 that I can buy a printer for my Windows machine, plug it in, and *it just works*, where I can buy a printer for my Linux machine, plug it in, and then spend about 3 hours googling for solutions, learning all about all sorts of wonderful things but ultimately not solving the problem. I remember all this in the 1990s, but had rather hoped we had put it to bed by now...

[Yannick Lagrange (yannick12)]

I've realised now that the problem is probably caused when the printer goes to sleep. Printing works fine for a while, and then I don't use the printer for a while, and then the printer goes to sleep, and then I switch it on again, and then I get the "filter failed" error (and also a new drive called HP_Install appears).

[Sanjay Kumar (sanjay-kumar14)]

Hello Yannick,

Please disable smart install feature from device front panel (Settings->Services->HP Smart install) for this device. After doing this, printing from Linux should work fine.

Thanks,
Sanjay

[Yannick Lagrange (yannick12)]

Oh my goodness me thank you Sanjay it's as easy as that.

I think I need to rephrase my bug report in the following way:

Whyever does it not mention at http://hplipopensource.com/node/367 that some printers have the option to disable smart install from the device front panel?

You might want to argue that that page is supposed to be covering other printers where this option is not available -- but if this is the case then note that I get directed to run hp-doctor when things don't work, and then I get directed to the page above by hp-doctor, so I find my way there regardless.

And secondly, the lsusb command in step 2b of that page should have a -v flag on it (at least on ubuntu).

Finally, at least personally, I found the question "do you want to download and disable X" very confusing! (this was the question I was presented with when I plugged my printer in). I wasn't sure whether the answer was supposed to be "obviously yes because I want to fix the problem" or "obviously no because I want to fix the problem". I am not sure it's possible to disable something that is not already enabled and hence there already, so why do I need to download it to disable it?

Many thanks,

Y

[Sanjay Kumar (sanjay-kumar14)]

Hello Yannick,

Thanks for the reply. We will do the needful regarding this. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Thanks,
Sanjay

[Sanjay Kumar (sanjay-kumar14)]

Updated http://hplipopensource.com/node/367

[Prasad Karulkar (prasad-p)]

Please disable smart install feature from device front panel (Settings->Services->HP Smart install) for this device. After doing this, printing from Linux should work fine.

After disabling this smart install error goes but now the printout is coming black. any idea?

[Mujahid (mujaheed21)]

Please I cant find SmartInstallDisable-Tool.run, page not found

[Lana Larsen (lana-5)]

You can find a copy of SmartInstallDisable-Tool.run here https://web.archive.org/web/20160316030640/http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/smartinstall/SmartInstallDisable-Tool.run