Topic: How do I add USB support ?

[David Hardy]

Hi,

I've managed to download and install 5.1.2 with no problems. However, USB was disabled in the bios. I've enabled it and now want the drivers installed so that I can use an Epson USB printer.

From the dark depths of time I remembered something called Kudzu- does this do what I want or is there some other 'plug and pray' tool that can sort this out for me?

I have even tried to upgrade over the top of my installation to see if that wouold cause the usb drivers to be loaded, but it hasn't helped.

To clarify, I need to install the drivers for the onboard USB ports, not the printer. I'm sure I can make the printer work as soon as I can make the OS USB aware!

Please help, newbie drowning in despair!

[Andy MacDonald]

Interesting. The USB printer support IS in the latest one. Did you try a Format and reinstall, or just a reinstall?

[David Hardy]

I originally had NT4 on the box - hence disabled USB in the bios.

I downloaded and installed SME 5.1.x and got it all configured, moved all my data back on and then bought a printer. Epson C40S USB only (aaarrggh) bought because it was on special offer (hence very cheap) and because I thought my SME would support it.

I've read everything I can find here in the Phorums, and tried to adapt Darren May's add a SCSI tape Howto to no avail.

I've done an upgrade over the top of my existing installation, but that hasn't improved things.

I guess my next option is to either move all my data off again and re-install from scratch (no tape drive so copying 8gb over the network) or give up!

Unless you've got any ideas that could kick this thing into action ?

[Kurt Friis Hansen]

I don't know your particular printer, but many modern - especially USB - printers are not equipped with a built in printing control language (like versions of i.e. PCL, Postscript, ESC p etc.). On these printers, the actual print processing (or  various levels of pre-processing) are handled in the printer driver - typically only available for Windows (aka GDI printers).

If you want to avoid printer problems, you'll have to buy printers, that implement one or more printer control languages - and a reasonable amount of RAM (an A4 page in 600x600 dpi monochrome will require 4MB RAM in raw mode, and then you'll also have to have room for the actual print informations).

Regards