HP Laserjet 6MP prints blank test page in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise

[Cornelis Spronk]

1. The problem existed for the previous Beta version and a freshly complete new install of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise.
2. HP Laserjet 6MP
3. If possible, run 'hp-check -t' and post the output. See below
4. Printer connected with parallel cable. The printer is recognized by the normal installation proceedure.
I have done several reinstallations. Each time when a Test Page is printed the printer appears to go into a normal printing rooutine but the page comes out completely blank. The self test page prints out with a border and some printing.
5. When I switched a hard drive with Ubuntu 10.04, the printer worked as it should. There is clearly a software problem with 12.04.

cs@DellDimension3000:~$ hp-check -t

---------------
| SYSTEM INFO |
---------------

Basic system information:
Linux DellDimension3000 3.2.0-24-generic-pae #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25 10:47:59 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

Distribution:
ubuntu 12.04

Checking Python version...
OK, version 2.7.3 installed

Checking PyQt 4.x version...
error: NOT FOUND OR FAILED TO LOAD!

Checking for CUPS...
Status: scheduler is running
warning: Version: (cups-config) Not available. Unable to determine installed version of CUPS.)
error_log is set to level: warn

Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
dbus daemon is running.
python-dbus version: 1.0.0

------------------------------------
| COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
------------------------------------

note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).

Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: CUPS DDK - CUPS driver development kit...
warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some HPLIP functionality may not function properly.

Checking for dependency: CUPS devel- Common Unix Printing System development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: CUPS image - CUPS image development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: DBus - Message bus system...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: gcc - GNU Project C and C++ Compiler...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: GhostScript - PostScript and PDF language interpreter and previewer...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libcrypto - OpenSSL cryptographic library...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: libjpeg - JPEG library...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: libnetsnmp-devel - SNMP networking library development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: libpthread - POSIX threads library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libtool - Library building support services...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: libusb - USB library...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: make - GNU make utility to maintain groups of programs...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PIL - Python Imaging Library (required for commandline scanning with hp-scan)...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PolicyKit - Administrative policy framework...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PyQt 4 DBus - DBus Support for PyQt4...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: Python DBus - Python bindings for DBus...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: Python devel - Python development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: Python libnotify - Python bindings for the libnotify Desktop notifications...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: Python XML libraries...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: Python 2.3 or greater - Required for fax functionality...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: Python 2.2 or greater - Python programming language...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: Reportlab - PDF library for Python...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.

Checking for dependency: scanimage - Shell scanning program...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: xsane - Graphical scanner frontend for SANE...
warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some HPLIP functionality may not function properly.

----------------------
| HPLIP INSTALLATION |
----------------------

Currently installed HPLIP version...
HPLIP 3.12.2 currently installed in '/usr/share/hplip'.

Current contents of '/etc/hp/hplip.conf' file:
# hplip.conf. Generated from hplip.conf.in by configure.

[hplip]
version=3.12.2

[dirs]
home=/usr/share/hplip
run=/var/run
ppd=/usr/share/ppd/hplip/HP
ppdbase=/usr/share/ppd/hplip
doc=/usr/share/doc/hplip-doc/HTML
icon=no
cupsbackend=/usr/lib/cups/backend
cupsfilter=/usr/lib/cups/filter
drv=/usr/share/cups/drv

# Following values are determined at configure time and cannot be changed.
[configure]
network-build=yes
pp-build=yes
gui-build=yes
scanner-build=yes
fax-build=yes
dbus-build=yes
cups11-build=no
doc-build=yes
shadow-build=no
hpijs-install=yes
foomatic-drv-install=yes
foomatic-ppd-install=yes
foomatic-rip-hplip-install=no
hpcups-install=yes
cups-drv-install=yes
cups-ppd-install=no
internal-tag=3.12.2
restricted-build=no
ui-toolkit=qt4
qt3=no
qt4=yes
policy-kit=yes
hpijs-only-build=no
lite-build=no
udev-acl-rules=yes
hpcups-only-build=no
hpijs-only-build=no

Current contents of '/var/lib/hp/hplip.state' file:
# hplip.state - HPLIP runtime persistent variables.

[plugin]
installed=0
eula=0

Current contents of '~/.hplip/hplip.conf' file:
[installation]
date_time = 27/04/12 23:15:53
version = 3.12.2

--------------------------
| DISCOVERED USB DEVICES |
--------------------------

No devices found.

---------------------------------
| INSTALLED CUPS PRINTER QUEUES |
---------------------------------

Hewlett-Packard-HP-LaserJet-6MP
-------------------------------
Type: Unknown
Device URI: parallel:/dev/lp0
PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/Hewlett-Packard-HP-LaserJet-6MP.ppd
PPD Description: HP LaserJet 6MP Foomatic/Postscript
Printer status: printer Hewlett-Packard-HP-LaserJet-6MP is idle. enabled since Fri 27 Apr 2012 23:01:18 BST
warning: Printer is not HPLIP installed. Printers must use the hp: or hpfax: CUPS backend to function in HPLIP.

----------------------
| SANE CONFIGURATION |
----------------------

'hpaio' in '/etc/sane.d/dll.conf'...
'hpaio' in '/etc/sane.d/dll.d/hplip'...
OK, found. SANE backend 'hpaio' is properly set up.

Checking output of 'scanimage -L'...

No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,
check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the
sane-find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation
which came with this software (README, FAQ, manpages).

---------------------
| PYTHON EXTENSIONS |
---------------------

Checking 'cupsext' CUPS extension...
OK, found.

Checking 'pcardext' Photocard extension...
OK, found.

Checking 'hpmudext' I/O extension...
OK, found.

Checking 'scanext' SANE scanning extension...
OK, found.

---------------
| USER GROUPS |
---------------

cs adm cdrom sudo dip plugdev lpadmin sambashare

error: User needs to be member of group 'lp' to enable print, scan & fax.
User member of group 'lpadmin'.

-----------
| SUMMARY |
-----------

error: 16 errors and/or warnings.

Please refer to the installation instructions at:
http://hplip.sourceforge.net/install/index.html

Done.

[Sarbeswar Meher (sarbeswar-meher)]

Hi,

   There are lots of dependency missing which is shown by 'hp-check'. Request you to install the latest hplip from http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install/install/index.html and follow the instructions.

 Parallel port support in HPLIP has been made passive, hence you need to make a custom build.

- After installation is done, go to the folder (e.g. ~/Downloads/hplip-3.12.4)
- Run in terminal :
    $ ./configure --prefix=/usr --enable-pp-build
    $ make
    $ sudo make install

 - After this, connect the printer and run in teminal 'hp-setup'.

Hope your problem will be solved. If you still find any issue, do let us know.

[Cornelis Spronk (spronkc)]

Hi,

Many thanks. I finally had a chance to follow your instructions. It
worked fine.

I put your suggestions into the Ubuntu Forum, hoping it might help some
else.

For the past 2 months, I reverted back to 10.04.

Now I am permanently on 12.04 and it is working great.

Neil

On 30 April 2012 05:43, Sarbeswar Meher <email address hidden> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> There are lots of dependency missing which is shown by 'hp-check'.
> Request you to install the latest hplip from http://hplipopensource.com
> /hplip-web/install/install/index.html and follow the instructions.
>
> Parallel port support in HPLIP has been made passive, hence you need to
> make a custom build.
>
> - After installation is done, go to the folder (e.g.
> ~/Downloads/hplip-3.12.4)
> - Run in terminal :
> $ ./configure --prefix=/usr --enable-pp-build
> $ make
> $ sudo make install
>
> - After this, connect the printer and run in teminal 'hp-setup'.
>
> Hope your problem will be solved. If you still find any issue, do let us
> know.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/990158
>
> Title:
> HP Laserjet 6MP prints blank test page in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> New
>
> Bug description:
>
> 1. The problem existed for the previous Beta version and a freshly
> complete new install of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise.
> 2. HP Laserjet 6MP
> 3. If possible, run 'hp-check -t' and post the output. See below
> 4. Printer connected with parallel cable. The printer is recognized by
> the normal installation proceedure.
> I have done several reinstallations. Each time when a Test Page is
> printed the printer appears to go into a normal printing rooutine but the
> page comes out completely blank. The self test page prints out with a
> border and some printing.
> 5. When I switched a hard drive with Ubuntu 10.04, the printer worked as
> it should. There is clearly a software problem with 12.04.
>
> cs@DellDimension3000:~$ hp-check -t
>
> ---------------
> | SYSTEM INFO |
> ---------------
>
> Basic system information:
> Linux DellDimension3000 3.2.0-24-generic-pae #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25
> 10:47:59 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
>
> Distribution:
> ubuntu 12.04
>
> Checking Python version...
> OK, version 2.7.3 installed
>
> Checking PyQt 4.x version...
> error: NOT FOUND OR FAILED TO LOAD!
>
> Checking for CUPS...
> Status: scheduler is running
> warning: Version: (cups-config) Not available. Unable to determine
> installed version of CUPS.)
> error_log is set to level: warn
>
> Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
> dbus daemon is running.
> python-dbus version: 1.0.0
>
>
> ------------------------------------
> | COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
> ------------------------------------
>
> note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with
> the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
> note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the
> -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
> OK, found.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS DDK ...

[2green (zendhetmij)]

Same problem here on een laserjet 5m and ubuntu 12.10 with latest updates.

[Cornelis Spronk (spronkc)]

Good to know you had the same problem. More important, did you find a
solution to the problem?

Just interested.

Neil

On 7 October 2012 10:53, 2green <email address hidden> wrote:

> Same problem here on een laserjet 5m and ubuntu 12.10 with latest
> updates.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/990158
>
> Title:
> HP Laserjet 6MP prints blank test page in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> New
>
> Bug description:
>
> 1. The problem existed for the previous Beta version and a freshly
> complete new install of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise.
> 2. HP Laserjet 6MP
> 3. If possible, run 'hp-check -t' and post the output. See below
> 4. Printer connected with parallel cable. The printer is recognized by
> the normal installation proceedure.
> I have done several reinstallations. Each time when a Test Page is
> printed the printer appears to go into a normal printing rooutine but the
> page comes out completely blank. The self test page prints out with a
> border and some printing.
> 5. When I switched a hard drive with Ubuntu 10.04, the printer worked
> as it should. There is clearly a software problem with 12.04.
>
> cs@DellDimension3000:~$ hp-check -t
>
> ---------------
> | SYSTEM INFO |
> ---------------
>
> Basic system information:
> Linux DellDimension3000 3.2.0-24-generic-pae #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25
> 10:47:59 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
>
> Distribution:
> ubuntu 12.04
>
> Checking Python version...
> OK, version 2.7.3 installed
>
> Checking PyQt 4.x version...
> error: NOT FOUND OR FAILED TO LOAD!
>
> Checking for CUPS...
> Status: scheduler is running
> warning: Version: (cups-config) Not available. Unable to determine
> installed version of CUPS.)
> error_log is set to level: warn
>
> Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
> dbus daemon is running.
> python-dbus version: 1.0.0
>
>
> ------------------------------------
> | COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
> ------------------------------------
>
> note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with
> the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
> note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the
> -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
> OK, found.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS DDK - CUPS driver development kit...
> warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some
> HPLIP functionality may not function properly.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS devel- Common Unix Printing System
> development files...
> error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency.
> Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or
> running HPLIP.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS image - CUPS image development files...
> error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency.
> Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or
> running HPLIP.
>
> Checking for dependency: DBus - Message bus system...
> error: NOT FOUND...

[Cornelis Spronk (spronkc)]

For more information.

I got an answer from the Ubuntu development team, and I found their
information a bit short. I finally figured it out, and wrote out more
detailed instructions.

Here is where you find them:

Go to Ubuntu Forums.
Search for 6mp,
Your will see a post that I wrote June 29 at the top of the list. My name
is Cornelis Spronk.

Good luck. Keep the old printer working.

Neil

On 8 October 2012 11:06, Cornelis Spronk <email address hidden> wrote:

> Good to know you had the same problem. More important, did you find a
> solution to the problem?
>
> Just interested.
>
> Neil
>
>
> On 7 October 2012 10:53, 2green <email address hidden> wrote:
>
>> Same problem here on een laserjet 5m and ubuntu 12.10 with latest
>> updates.
>>
>> --
>> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
>> report.
>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/990158
>>
>> Title:
>> HP Laserjet 6MP prints blank test page in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise
>>
>> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
>> New
>>
>> Bug description:
>>
>> 1. The problem existed for the previous Beta version and a freshly
>> complete new install of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise.
>> 2. HP Laserjet 6MP
>> 3. If possible, run 'hp-check -t' and post the output. See below
>> 4. Printer connected with parallel cable. The printer is recognized by
>> the normal installation proceedure.
>> I have done several reinstallations. Each time when a Test Page is
>> printed the printer appears to go into a normal printing rooutine but the
>> page comes out completely blank. The self test page prints out with a
>> border and some printing.
>> 5. When I switched a hard drive with Ubuntu 10.04, the printer worked
>> as it should. There is clearly a software problem with 12.04.
>>
>> cs@DellDimension3000:~$ hp-check -t
>>
>> ---------------
>> | SYSTEM INFO |
>> ---------------
>>
>> Basic system information:
>> Linux DellDimension3000 3.2.0-24-generic-pae #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25
>> 10:47:59 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
>>
>> Distribution:
>> ubuntu 12.04
>>
>> Checking Python version...
>> OK, version 2.7.3 installed
>>
>> Checking PyQt 4.x version...
>> error: NOT FOUND OR FAILED TO LOAD!
>>
>> Checking for CUPS...
>> Status: scheduler is running
>> warning: Version: (cups-config) Not available. Unable to determine
>> installed version of CUPS.)
>> error_log is set to level: warn
>>
>> Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
>> dbus daemon is running.
>> python-dbus version: 1.0.0
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>> | COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with
>> the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
>> note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the
>> -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).
>>
>> Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
>> OK, found.
>>
>> Checking for dependency: CUPS DDK - CUPS driver development kit...
>> warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some
>> HPLIP functionality may not function properly.
>>
>> Checking ...

[2green (zendhetmij)]

Cornelis thanks for the workaround.

[Clayton Kramer (clayton-kramer)]

I had a similar problem with an old LaserJet 5MP I have hooked up to a WiFi adapter. Switching from the recommend Postscript to the HP LaserJet 5mp pcl3, hpcups 3.12.6 driver fix my issue.

[Cornelis Spronk (spronkc)]

Thanks for letting me know.

I am so happy it helped you.

On 22 December 2012 04:20, Clayton Kramer <email address hidden> wrote:

> I had a similar problem with an old LaserJet 5MP I have hooked up to a
> WiFi adapter. Switching from the recommend Postscript to the HP LaserJet
> 5mp pcl3, hpcups 3.12.6 driver fix my issue.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/990158
>
> Title:
> HP Laserjet 6MP prints blank test page in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> New
>
> Bug description:
>
> 1. The problem existed for the previous Beta version and a freshly
> complete new install of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise.
> 2. HP Laserjet 6MP
> 3. If possible, run 'hp-check -t' and post the output. See below
> 4. Printer connected with parallel cable. The printer is recognized by
> the normal installation proceedure.
> I have done several reinstallations. Each time when a Test Page is
> printed the printer appears to go into a normal printing rooutine but the
> page comes out completely blank. The self test page prints out with a
> border and some printing.
> 5. When I switched a hard drive with Ubuntu 10.04, the printer worked
> as it should. There is clearly a software problem with 12.04.
>
> cs@DellDimension3000:~$ hp-check -t
>
> ---------------
> | SYSTEM INFO |
> ---------------
>
> Basic system information:
> Linux DellDimension3000 3.2.0-24-generic-pae #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25
> 10:47:59 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
>
> Distribution:
> ubuntu 12.04
>
> Checking Python version...
> OK, version 2.7.3 installed
>
> Checking PyQt 4.x version...
> error: NOT FOUND OR FAILED TO LOAD!
>
> Checking for CUPS...
> Status: scheduler is running
> warning: Version: (cups-config) Not available. Unable to determine
> installed version of CUPS.)
> error_log is set to level: warn
>
> Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
> dbus daemon is running.
> python-dbus version: 1.0.0
>
>
> ------------------------------------
> | COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
> ------------------------------------
>
> note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with
> the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
> note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with the
> -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
> OK, found.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS DDK - CUPS driver development kit...
> warning: NOT FOUND! This is an OPTIONAL/RUNTIME ONLY dependency. Some
> HPLIP functionality may not function properly.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS devel- Common Unix Printing System
> development files...
> error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency.
> Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or
> running HPLIP.
>
> Checking for dependency: CUPS image - CUPS image development files...
> error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED/COMPILE TIME ONLY dependency.
> Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or
> running HPLIP.
>
> Check...