OK so I did this after the automatic configuration of the printer (not the manual) lpinfo -l -v gives: Device: uri = socket class = network info = AppSocket/HP JetDirect make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = beh class = network info = Backend Error Handler make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = canon:/dev/lp0 class = direct info = Gutenprint Parallel Port #1 make-and-model = CANON device-id = Device: uri = epson:/dev/lp0 class = direct info = Gutenprint Parallel Port #1 make-and-model = EPSON device-id = Device: uri = hpfax class = direct info = HP Fax (HPLIP) make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = hal:///org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_ffffffff_ffffffff_noserial_printer_CN33I4116P7E class = direct info = hp photosmart 7550 make-and-model = hp photosmart 7550 device-id = MFG:hp;MDL:photosmart 7550;CLS:PRINTER;SN:CN33I4116P7E; Device: uri = usb://hp/photosmart%207550?serial=CN33I4116P7E class = direct info = hp photosmart 7550 USB #1 make-and-model = hp photosmart 7550 device-id = MFG:hp;MDL:photosmart 7550;CID:hpdeskjet_5550A851;CMD:MLC,PCL,PML,DW-PCL,DYN,DESKJET;CLS:PRINTER;DES:hp photosmart 7550;SN:CN33I4116P7E;S:0380088084001000003c148005cc2500042c358004f;P:08C0,FL,B0;J: ; Device: uri = hp class = direct info = HP Printer (HPLIP) make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = http class = network info = Internet Printing Protocol (http) make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = ipp class = network info = Internet Printing Protocol (ipp) make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = lpd class = network info = LPD/LPR Host or Printer make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = parallel:/dev/lp0 class = direct info = LPT #1 make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = cups-pdf:/ class = file info = Print into PDF file make-and-model = Generic PDF file generator device-id = MFG:Generic;MDL:PDF file generator;DES:Generic PDF file generator;CLS:PRINTER;CMD:POSTSCRIPT; Device: uri = scsi class = direct info = SCSI Printer make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = smb class = network info = Windows Printer via SAMBA make-and-model = Unknown device-id = Device: uri = socket://192.168.0.100 class = network info = Xerox Phaser 6350DP;PS5.0.0 192.168.0.100 make-and-model = Xerox Phaser 6350DP;PS5.0.0 device-id = lsusb gives Bus 005 Device 002: ID 04b8:011e Seiko Epson Corp. Perfection 1660 Photo Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 002 Device 004: ID 03f0:3e02 Hewlett-Packard Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 and then hp-makeuri 002:004 gives: error: Device not found as does hp-makeuri CN33I4116P7E