Installing HP printers

[bitzbox]

It would seem that there are at least three different methods of installing HP printers:
a) HP Device Manager
b) PCC
c) CUPS Web Interface

My questions arising out of uncertainty are:
[1] What is the prescribed method of installing HP printers connected by USB.
[2] What is the prescribed method of installing HP printers connected by ethernet.

Regards .....

[nixer]

I have always found that "most" HP printers are sometimes configured and found automatically.  As a matter of fact, the first "Wow" moment with linux came with this distro back in 2006 when I was trying to install and configure a HP printer only to find out that it was already recognized, configured, and working!

Back to your question...

I have found that the best way to install a printer, especially HP, is to do it through the PCC (Configure Your Printer).  This includes both the USB and ethernet connected printers. 

If your computer does not find the printer automatically, click on "Add Printer" and then toggle the "connected to this machine" and "network printers".  It "should" find them.

I have both a USB printer connected to a home server (print server) and a Photosmart c309a connected by ethernet.  Both work fine.  The ethernet printer keeps changing ip addresses so it needs re-configuring about once every 1-2 weeks and each time PCC finds and configures it easily.

Hope this helps.

[nixer]

It "should" be listed if added through PCC.  I have never added a printer through HP Devices Manager or through CUPS so I can't help much on that.  I would say that the PCC method is the "recommended" method.  I have never had a problem adding HP printers as they are supported by HP in linux pretty good.

I would try to delete it in the HP Devices manager and then try to add it by way of the PCC.  Are you saying that the printer is not found by PCC?  They should show on the "connected to this machine" tab, but check on the other tab also.   

One more thing to check:  log into the router and check the LAN setup.  Make sure that the HP ethernet printer has been given an ip address.

[rogaven]

...
If I connect it by ethernet, PCLOS does not auto-detect it and I have to manually install it.
...

this is not correct
printerdrake found local and network printers

[nixer]

I'm saying that my HP ethernet-connected printer is neither auto-detected nor auto-installed.

However, if I wish to, I can "Add" it in PCC (Configure Your Printer) and the printer is found but I don't see the point in adding it in PCC if I've already manually installed it with HP Device Manager.

But did the printer work when added through the HP Device Manager? 

When using PCC to add a printer, sometimes it finds and configures the printer automatically, sometimes it does not and I have to manually add it.  Either way it works for me.

When added through PCC either auto-detected or manually added, it will show up in both the HP Device manager and the CUPS administration.

[nixer]

Ok, just pointing out that if you install through PCC, then it will display in all three places - PCC, CUPS, and HP Device Manager.