JetDirect with DeskJet 990Cxi on Unix

[Eric Bresie]

I have an HP DeskJet 990Cxi connected for use with a Solaris system.

Using JetDirect, I configured it as a generic PCL3 type of printer
since no option is available for this model of printer. This seem to
work for basic printing, but find when I print, that it only seems to
print in black and white and not color. Anyone have any suggestions?

Is there another driver selection that I can configure the print
spooler to use instead of the generic PCL3 printer?

Reading on HPs site, they seem to indicate using an earlier model
driver if it exists, but all the DeskJet drivers provided with the
JetDirect for UNIX seem to all be newer models (some of these include
PS functionality which I beleive the 990Cxi is not capable), so I'm
not sure what model of printer this printer may be compatabile with to
allow color printing.

Instead of a DeskJet type of printer, could I use a LaserJet or
DesignJet printer? Or maybe a plotter of some type?

Anyone have any suggestions?

Eric Bresie
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Ben Myers]

Eric,

I'm somewhat stumped because all I can do is spell S-o-l-a-r-i-s. For sure, a
DesignJet driver will not help, because DesignJets are wide inkjet plotter-like
devices. I'm wondering if a Color LaserJet driver might help. After many years
of variations in control languages between LaserJets and InkJets, HP seems to
have standardized on PCL with PostScript options for all of its new printers.

As a general rule, one is better off with PostScript printers in Solaris, Linux
and other Unix derivative operating systems. Worst case involves installing an
ASCII text PostScript PPD file if the given operating system release does not
have built-in support for a PostScript printer.

All I can suggest is trial and error with some of the newer DeskJet drivers
which are part of Solaris. Or replace the printer with a more expensive
PostScript printer... Ben Myers

 

[Eric Bresie]

I'm wondering if a Color LaserJet driver might help.

Yes that's what I'd like to do but the HP Jet Direct Printer Installer
tool that sets up these items doesn't specifically list a Color
LaserJet selection, which is my problem. Which is why I am wondering
if one of the existing models included would suffice.

After many years
of variations in control languages between LaserJets and InkJets, HP seems to
have standardized on PCL with PostScript options for all of its new printers.

As a general rule, one is better off with PostScript printers in Solaris, Linux
and other Unix derivative operating systems. Worst case involves installing an
ASCII text PostScript PPD file if the given operating system release does not
have built-in support for a PostScript printer.

Well...based on what I can tell, someone correct me if I missed it,
the HP DeskJet 990Cxi doesn't directly do PS, just PCL...which is my
problem.

I suppose I could look into GhostScript ( http://www.ghostscript.com/
) or something similar.

All I can suggest is trial and error with some of the newer DeskJet drivers
which are part of Solaris.

Unless something newer has shown up since I posted this, I am using
the latest HP Jet Direct Printer Installer which is version E.1.34
which I found here
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...askId=135&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=27351

I am using Solaris 7 for the moment (future plans in the far future
are to upgrade, but not likely to happen soon enough) so there is more
minor issues.

Or replace the printer with a more expensive
PostScript printer... Ben Myers

Not sure if this is an option at the moment.

The printer is networked so unless I am missing something, I need to
use Jet Direct to configure it.

I suppose I could also looking into Solaris' Admin Tool to set up the
printer but I'm not sure via Solaris how to set that up. I can set it
as a remote printer with a print server, but I don't see a way to set
the printer type when the printer is not local. And when configuring
it local, it only lists HP Printer which still seems to give PS, text,
and both, but not any PCL related options.

Thanks for the suggestions...

Eric