brother printer install - PC-BSD Forums

rickdog · #1 10-09-2007, 12:13 AM

I'm new to BSD, but have been using Linux for some time. I just had an old 80gig hard drive not doing anything, so I decided to play with PC-BSD. I like it, It's a little different, but I like a challenge.

But on this one I need some help:

I have a Brother MFC-420CN and I need to install it. I got cups to see the ppd file, but I'm not sure how to install the brlpdwrapper. I've seen a few posts on a couple of the forums, but nothing that tells me for sure. I have the .deb files downloaded from Brother, can I somehow use those? Any help would be appreciated.

And if that's not enough, I'd like to get the scanner working someday!

Thanks.

Oko · #2 10-09-2007, 12:29 AM

Go get yourself a used HP laser printer for $10-$15 and do not waist your time with Brother. If you want scanner you need to read list of supported devices from Sane web site. It is the same as for Linux.
You can unlock full functionality of an all in one HP devices via HPLIP program which is ported for FreeBSD but not the part of basic PC-BSD system. Look for the list of supported devices on HPLIP website and then google FreeBSD+HPLIP for how to. You have a link of KDE/FreeBSD web site.
My 2c about your question.

rickdog · #3 10-09-2007, 01:01 AM

So that's it? I'm sure there's a way to get this done...

Oko · #4 10-09-2007, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by rickdog

So that's it? I'm sure there's a way to get this done...

Ok if you really want. Plug in your printer then boot. Go to CUPS manager on http://localhost:631 . Click on administration. The rest is self explanatory.
On the third page you will need to download PPD from the Linux printing

Your printer is perfectly supported
http://openprinting.org/show_printer.cg ... -MFC-420CN

but personally I hate Brother as they are one of the shittiest companies around.

rickdog · #5 10-09-2007, 06:29 AM

Okay, I understand about Brother. But I bought the printer years ago when I was still a blind winblows user. It was one of my first peeves when I started with Linux, but I eventually figured out the installation without a problem. I wish it would have been as easy as when I installed Kubuntu on my friends laptop who had a HP Deskjet printer, but the next time I buy a printer I'll investigate.

Nevertheless, back to the current issue, I have the ppd but it's the cupswrapper that it wants to make it right. The printer shows up as intalled, but nothing prints because it needs that filter.

Anyone know how to work that?

Thanks.

---Later: Okay, I just registered and got on the BSDforums and saw the posting on how to install printers. I will look into it and see what I can do. Hopefully I can get the wrapper issue solved. Thanks again.