Problem with gutenprint update TEMPORARY FIX

[Howard]

Ever since the most recent gutenprint update I have been unable to print properly using my Epson NX200.  Pages are not correctly formatted and colours are separated rather than superimposed.

I even made a fresh LXDE installation in a spare partition with exactly the same result, OK from the ISO, but screwed up when updated.

This means I have to switch installations to an older version when I want to print something!

I don't know too much about the printing applications, but I suspect the foomatic database is faulty.

I've reported this problem before elsewhere but not got much help.

If, as is likely, it's not a PCLOS problem but one imported from gutenprint does anyone know how I can report it to them?

[wedgetail]

Howard
I know little about lxde but I have a suggestion.  When you are running the LiveCD check if gutenprint packages are installed, I expect not.

My understanding of your post is that you install LXDE and then 'fully update' and if Gutenprint is not installed you install whatever is needed from synaptic?

If you uninstall Gutenprint via Synaptic can you print properly?

[Howard]

Thanks Wedgetail, maybe I didn't explain well enough.  When I install from the ISO (not running the live disk) an earlier version of the gutenprint suite is installed - this works.  When I update to the latest version in the repos it doesn't

[wedgetail]

Howard
Yes I did notice you said you had installed from ISO, this bothered me a bit and I hoped you had meant from LiveCD.  Were you using Just18 liveHDD to install?

Edit:
Just re-started my LXDE, older version and looked at the "GutenPrint", now I think I understand fully what you are saying. When looking in Synaptic it is clear that I have a big update waiting.  I was heading in the wrong direction with my suggestions.

You need help from the LXDE group.  Now I would have taken you down my customised or one eyed test route by using CUPS. Then when I looked in synaptic I noticed the comments that it is a special CUPS.  This introduces too many variables for me, sorry I have to bail out. 

House renovation calling all the time.   

[Howard]

Sorry I did mean that I installed from the live CD (isn't that an ISO?).  Surely the gutenprint version from the repos is the same for LXDE as for KDE4?  If not may I should try minime.

I'm also involved in renovations - of an older condo we hope to move into - but I'm recovering from an operation as well!

[wedgetail]

Howard
I have the picture now. I have a soft spot for printing this was why I started thinking over your post, a lot has happened since I spent lots of time on sorting out some hp inkjet odd problems, I was hoping this was not a resurgence.  I am not really conversant with LXDE and that is why I got in trouble here.  

1.. When you use/run LXDE CD it is best referred to as "using or running the LiveCD" .  This CD is made by burning the LXDE ISO file you downloaded at some stage.

2.. Now many people also run the ISO directly without the CD, ie in some smart way the ISO file is used to run LXDE in the same manner as when started from a CD, but without using a CD    There are a number of ways to do this but Just18 have been active and produced a script/program when this is run, on for example with LXDE iso file as input, it will set up a Linux system on a partition on a hard disk, that will behave exactly like the LiveCD.  Search Forum and you will find it, I think it is called Poor Mans Install, well until we started calling it LiveHDD.

3.. Back to your situation.  LXDE uses Gutenprint for it general print install, this is different to what KDE and MiniMe does, Gutenprint is an option for us KDE/MiniMe users.  This was the part I had forgotten.  I do have a copy of LXDE installed but made the mistake of not checking up front on this, I should have when I saw you mention Gutenprint.  I thought you were a crash hot printer expert that had specifically  chosen Gutenprint for the extra refinements that this can give.

Put it another way, LXDE use Gutenprint as its base printing option, there is nothing wrong with that. In a way I am quite interested to look at that but I am a bit concerned about the time it might take me.  This was why I said I was bailing out and referred you back to the LXDE section.  

4.. The Gutenprint is the same for me and you from the repos, again the difference is you are lumbered with it from the start for us it is an option as well to be added to whatever we are already using.


Back to your problem:
When you run up the LiveCD and before you install to hard disk, what is your printing like?  Does it fail here as well?  If you are quite familiar with LXDE I am reluctant to suggest to try 'one of the others' as this may bring it own set of problems.  Have you raised the problem in the LXDE section already?  

I wish you speedy recovery from your operation,  I sincerely hope you will be able to enjoy your renovation.  

Edit:
Ok, I have just found a few of your previous posts on the matter. I see you have been to the LXDE section.
How much time are you prepared to put into solving the problem?  Is LXDE your main attraction or would KDE or MiniMe be just as acceptable? Then a quick check with fx MiniMe LiveCD could be advantageous.

[Howard]

I still don't seem to have made myself clear.

1. I installed LXDE 2011.6 from the live CD.  Printing works OK.  (I did not try to print from the live CD.)

2. I did a full update from the repo.  Printing doesn't work.

That's it.  I'm guessing that it has something to do with the gutenprint suite.

I have just downloaded KDE 2011.6.  I'll try that when I have time.

[wedgetail]

Howard
I am getting the picture  

In that case it could be interesting if you compare the Gutenprint files installed on the LiveCD with the ones on the system that is fully updated. It may be possible to detect something of interest. I noticed that on my older system there is only 8 files listed when I search on "Gutenprint" those files are of course all shown to need upgrade.  My LXDE system is probably 18 to 24 month old and almost gor erased a week ago when I was cleaning up.

I don't know where my LiveCD for the LXDE system is so I can not check. Further there is no doubt a new ISO out anyway. The system does run as I am using it now to write this       It is not on my list to upgrade right now as I have sort of settled on KDE and MiniMe.  The KDE is not upgraded yet ( my workhorse, and I am not experimenting with that it just works )  The MiniMe is upgraded and I do experiment a with that.

[Just17]

It may be possible, if you have time to test, to hold the older Gutenprint packages and not have them updated with the rest.
I don't know anything about this package or its dependencies, so am not certain this is possible.

But if it is then you could have the older version installed and not updated.

You would need to test this to see if it works ....  or maybe someone who knows if it is possible could comment.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,59692.0.html

[Howard]

I've just finished checking with KDE 2011.6.  Same result.

1 Print from live CD. OK.

2 Install KDE 2001.6 and check printing. OK (Gutenprint suite is 5.2.6)

3 Full upgrade (Gutenprint 5.2.7).  Printing screwed up.

N.B. I made no other changes.

I think I've proved my point. It's the upgrade that's doing it, probably something in Gutenprint.  It has nothing to do with which desktop I'm using.

Just18.  I thought of that too, but if I hold back gutenprint from the LXDE upgrade about 3/4 of the total are also held back and the upgrade doesn't work.

I have no idea whether or not the gutenprint files are "customised" for PCLOS, I guess probably not.  In which case it's a gutenprint problem, but I don't know how to report it to them.

[Just17]

Strange ....  I have 8 packages showing as a result of a search for Gutenprint ......  if I mark them for removal the only things they bring with them are some task packages which is to be expected.

So it seems from that check it would be easy to pin the Gutenprint packages ....  but maybe I am approaching it the wrong way ...

[wedgetail]

Howard & Just18
This is most intriguing. However you chaps I think are too clever for me.  Holding back packages, never thought of that 
What applications are you trying to print from?  A simple text print from Kwrite will do wrong?

[Howard]

Wedgetail: The problem is with anything I try to print from any application I've tried.  The most obvious sign is that colours are printed on separate lines instead of being superimposed.  I think there may be other problems with formatting too, but black text comes out readable.

Just18: I'd forgotten about pinning, I had to do that a few years ago to avoid a different problem update, but I cannot remember how to do it.  I tried to force the installation of an older version as instructed in the help, but the "force version" option was faded out - I guess the older version had already been removed from the repos.  The older version is, of course on the live disk, so I could try pinning it on a fresh installation.  What I did before was to start with a full update and try to remove the gutenprint packages before applying, but that took out most of the other packages too.

[wedgetail]

Howard
Hmm, this is a bit much.  I am in the process of installing LXDE. I had better take your printing apart and see what I can find.  Can you handle CUPS server, as this is what I fall back on as it is the only thing that I have found that does not let me down.  At worst it is just a matter of following instructions and working in konsole. 

I have been studying the printing since last when I had a big go. There has been some radical changes so I will reviewing as I go.  I will have to see how I go with LXDE.  Is LXDE your preferred version?

[Ramchu]

This isn't going to help with your situation, but I thought that I would throw it in.

I just did an update of my KDE installed system and I am using an HP f4235 all-in-one
printer that printed just fine yesterday- After the update it now prints in only Black and an Olive Green.