Sunday, June 01, 2008

Install HP LaserJet 1018 printer on Debian systems.
Part I. Quick start.

This shows how to install this USB printer in 4 steps:
Step 1. Installing CUPS:
# apt-get install cupsys

Step 2. Installing foo2zjs driver
# apt-get install foo2zjs

Step 3. Turn on the printer and get the firmware to take its power
# getweb 1018

gunzip: stdin: not in gzip format
Error: Can't open '/usr/share/foo2zjs/tmp/sihp1018.img'

(c) Copyright Hewlett-Packard 2005

# file /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl
/usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl: empty

No!!! But, OK, we will get the firmware directly from website:

# wget http://foo2zjs.rkkda.com/firmware/sihp1018.tar.gz
# tar xzvf sihp1018.tar.gz

gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors

Oh, it seems that file is not in gzip format. So we need to check:
# file sihp1018.tar.gz
sihp1018.tar.gz: POSIX tar archive
# tar xf sihp1018.tar.gz
# arm2hpdl sihp1018.img > sihp1018.dl
# mv sihp1018.dl /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl
# file /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl
/usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl: HP Printer Job Language data
# cat /usr/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl > /dev/usb/lp0

Step 4. Add new printer by CUPS's interface at http://localhost:631/. That all, let's go print your documents, e-mail, poems, etc.

Note: my Debian system is Lenny, but I think the instruction works for other. If have troubles, you may want to install foo2zjs from the source (newer version, than the one in Lenny). In that case please read how to do at http://foo2zjs.rkkda.com/. If still have problems, you can ask on forums for supports.

12 comments:

kksuren said...

On my Lenny on adding the printer with url /dev/usb/lp0 the following error aappears in CUPS:

File device URIs have been disabled! To enable, see the FileDevice directive in "/etc/cups/cupsd.conf".

But there is no FileDevice directive!

Anonymous said...

this was great post.

i was able to restore this file and print again, after this file was reported to be deleted from(/var/log/syslog).

thanks!

maintenance kit said...

You have a wonderful site with lots of useful data in it. I will indeed recommend this site to my friends as well.

Web Extractor said...

Hi all,

The HP LaserJet 1018 is a monochrome printer capable of generating documents at speeds of up to 12 pages per minute. It is intended for use with PCs running the windows operating system, HP does not provide support for any versions of the Macintosh operating system. Thanks a lot....

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James Werk said...

I have Hp printer in my home and i use to fit branded Toner Cartridge for Printers it will increase printer usability and gives best results.

Betty said...


Thanks for your excellent guide man

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Unknown said...

interesting blog.

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Alec said...




Really nice information. It is very useful and informative post. Thanks for sharing.

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SHYAM said...

Really its very useful information that you have shared and thanks for sharing the information with us.
123 HP Deskjet Setup 1018

web said...

Well, need to write even to install a freakin' printer... Linux rocks!

kirfufff said...


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