Canon iP4000R Internal Web Server and Networked Printers.

[Jim Edwards]

I am looking to buy a new inkjet printer and the iP4000 looks good for
what I want, but I need a version with an Ethernet connection, which
leads to the "R" version. Since I will be running Linux not Windows
or MacOS the provided utilities will not work (unless run under Wine
maybe ?), so I would like to know if anyone has an iP4000R and whether
if they do the internal server gives things like the ink status as well
as the network info. that it tells you it has in the manual (in the one
sentence entry about the subject).

Before anyone asks "Why don't you ask Canon ?" the answer is I did
and they don't know !!! The customer support guy said that the only
information he had was the same manual as I have !

An alternative could be a Pricom/Silex C-6200U print server with a
standard iP4000, but Pricom will not guarantee full compatibility,
even though it is in their supported list.

I looked at the HP PS8450, but it is too wide to fit in the space I
have available :-( Lexmark is not supporting Linux very well and
Epson printers tend to stick up too high with the paper holder at the
back :-(

JimEn

 

[measekite]

Maybe it is nice not to have to use Windows but when you are a pioneer
watch the arrows in your back. The trouble with Linux are the problems
you are having now. The only suggestion I have is to try a Linux support
group.

 

[zakezuke]

Since I will be running Linux not Windows

or MacOS the provided utilities will not work (unless run under Wine
maybe ?), so I would like to know if anyone has an iP4000R and whether
if they do the internal server gives things like the ink status as well
as the network info. that it tells you it has in the manual (in the one
sentence entry about the subject).

Righto, don't own the ip4000R, and i've not taken the time to setup
network printing on either printer. Generally if worse comes to worse
you might look for at least soft postscript emulation under windows
which I know was very much an option for a few epsons but cost money
for the RIP software.

I'm not sure if you're talking linux on a mac or linux on a pc. I
think the Canon drivers are binary intel only. For older macs they
speak of something called "classic mode" which would sugest that the
old BJ drivers would at least provide minimal fuction. Happy if you
needed text printing from linux, not so happy if you needed more.

http://www.linuxprinting.org/ is your friend, though they speak nothing
about the ip4000r yet.
http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Canon

Turboprint is reported to work with the ip4000r and is offically a
supported printer on the website. http://www.turboprint.de cost money
but is known to work

Canon has linux drivers on their website - note that they are called
pixus there
ftp://download.canon.jp/pub/driver/bj/linux/

a description better than I can do is here
http://frenchfragfactory.net/ozh/archives/2005/01/14/canon-ip4000r-under-linux/

But replace the approperate files with
bjfilter-common-2.50-2.i386.rpm
bjfilter-pixusip4100-2.50-2.i386.rpm
bjfilter-pixusip4100-lprng-2.50-2.i386.rpm


Lexmark oddly enough tends to list protocal specs on their website in
the form of an .RPM. Not so hot in terms of quality and cost/page but
very well documented.

 

[Jim Edwards]

Thanks to measekite and zakezuke for the rapid answers

I like the Japanese FTP website

My "problem" is not with printing, TurboPrint or other drivers can
"easily" take care of that, it is with ink monitoring. As far as I
can tell the whole Pixma family of printers have nothing on them to
tell you which ink is running out, only a flashing LED to tell you
one of them is (cost reduction), and to check with their monitoring
software (Windows or Mac) :-(

I can always go and kick one of my kids off of their computer to
get access to Windows (much quicker than re-booting from Linux to
W2000 etc.), so it is not a show stopper, just a matter or saving
me a short walk every few weeks/months/years !

Thanks again

JimE

 

[zakezuke]

I can always go and kick one of my kids off of their computer to

get access to Windows (much quicker than re-booting from Linux to
W2000 etc.), so it is not a show stopper, just a matter or saving
me a short walk every few weeks/months/years !

VNC is your friend. Otherwise the carts are clear. Watch das blinkin
lights and have a look.