5.3.3:     How to set up a printer

Basic operation

Printers are normally installed through the KDE Control Center, while printing itself is enabled by CUPS (Common UNIX printing system). To add a printer, follow these steps:

1. Click KMenu --> Control Center --> Peripherals --> Printers
2. Click Administrative Mode button at the bottom, and supply root's password.
3. Click Add --> Printer/Class, and the Add Printer Wizard will start.
4. Most users will be installing a local printer, the first radio button, but other options are available.
5. When setting up a printer across a network, you may have to disable your firewall.
6. Follow the screens to locate the auto-detected printer (usually), identify the make and model, load the recommended driver, and print a test page.
7. If page prints correctly, continue through the Wizard screens, making sure to name your printer in a way that you will recognize.

Troubleshooting

• MEPIS Wiki: Printer help: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Hardware#Printers
• MEPIS Wiki: Canon ixxx printer drivers http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Install_Canon_ixxx_Printer_Drivers
• MEPIS Wiki: Install Brother printer drivers: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Install_Brother_Printer_Drivers

Links and Guides

• Suggested printers for open-source users: http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/Database/SuggestedPrinters
• Printer compatibility database: http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/Database/DatabaseIntro
• KDE print home page: http://printing.kde.org/
• CUPS home page: http://www.cups.org/
• Community visual installation guide: http://www.mepisguides.com/printers/local-print/Install-Local-Printer.html

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