diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules index 0464326..9712ba4 100644 --- a/.gitmodules +++ b/.gitmodules @@ -1,3 +1,3 @@ [submodule "themes/terminal"] path = themes/terminal - url = https://git.revsuine.xyz/revsuine/hugo-theme-terminal.git + url = git@git.revsuine.xyz:revsuine/hugo-theme-terminal.git diff --git a/content/blog/canon_pixma_tr4755i.md b/content/blog/canon_pixma_tr4755i.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46ee3fc --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/canon_pixma_tr4755i.md @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ ++++ +date = '2025-04-16T23:26:33+01:00' +draft = true +title = 'Getting the Canon PIXMA TR4755i to Work on Linux' +tags = ['linux', 'uk'] ++++ + +# Introduction + +For those of you who don't know, Student Finance England provide free printers to more or less all disabled students +via their Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding. The printer they provide is a Canon PIXMA TR4755i (or at least, +it was for me). + +Printers are known for being rather unreliable pieces of technology, particularly on Linux (although, historically, +I've honestly found printers to work much more reliably and without need for troubleshooting on Linux than Windows). +So I was quite concerned when the government sent me a free printer, that I would not be able to use it. Luckily, after +a few short hours of wrangling things, I managed to get it working via USB (I've not tried network printing, but will +update this post once I do). I wanted to make this post to save people time if you are also a disabled student, or +happen to have this model of printer for another reason. + +# Guide + +## Install CUPS + +Firstly, install CUPS and run the CUPS daemon. The commands for this will depend on your distro and how you are +managing services/daemons, so I will leave this to you to figure out. Your distro's wiki or forums should have info on +how to set up CUPS. + +## Install the Canon InkJet Printer Driver for Linux + +Then you will need to install the Canon InkJet Printer Driver for Linux. Depending on how this is installed, you will +connect to the printer in two different ways. + +### Without a package manager (RPM or DEB) + +Canon have Linux driver downloads [here](https://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer/products/printers/pixma/tr-series/ +pixma-tr4755i.html?type=drivers&os=all). They provide downloads for systems using .debs and systems using .rpms. + +For setup, you should ideally refer to Canon's own manual, which is provided as a tarball [here]( +https://www.canon-europe.com/supportproduct/tabcontent/ +?type=manuals&detailId=tcm:13-1641056&productTcmUri=tcm:13-2320166). However, as this is not the most accessible +format, I'll provide the current version of instructions here on my blog: + +Firstly extract the tarball downloaded from Canon's website, and change directory into the newly expanded directory. + + $ tar xzvf cnijfilter2-versionNumberHere-rpmOrDeb.tar.gz + $ cd cnijfilter2-versionNumberHere + +Canon provide an install shell script which will walk you through setup: + + # ./install.sh + +When installation is complete, you should be walked through registering the printer. Afterwards, the printer should be +recognised by CUPS, and you can use any system print dialogues to print to the printer. + +### Via the AUR + +The AUR provides a `cnijfilter2` package. Installing this package provides the `cnijlgmon3` utility, which you should +run as root: + + # cnijlgmon3 + +The output should say something like: + + direct cnijbe2://Canon/?port=usb&serial=60-12-81-A7-7D-34 "Canon TR4700 series" "USB Printer #1 with status readback for Canon IJ" + direct cnijbe2://Canon/?port=usb&serial=60-12-81-A7-7D-34 "Canon TR4700 series FAX" "USB Printer #2 with status readback for Canon IJ" + +Copy and paste the URL starting with `cnijbe2://Canon/` into the following shell command: + + # lpadmin -p PrinterNameHere -p /usr/share/cups/model/canontr4700.ppd -v "URLhere" -E + +`PrinterNameHere` can be whatever you want; it's just how the printer will be named in any print dialogues. + +The `.ppd` file should have been provided by `cnijfilter2`. + +Replace `URLhere` with the URL you copied above, from the `cnijlgmon3` output. + +Afterwards, this printer should have been added to CUPS, and you can print to the printer using any system print dialogues. +