Linux help?

[gaz_l]

Bought myself an Asus eee900 sub-notebook on Saturday which runs Linux. Very nice it is too, I've enabled the full desktop and installed a few useful applications (GIMP, VLC, etc) but I'm having problems getting the damn thing to print.

I knew this would probably be the case as I have a HP Laserjet 2600n printer which is one of the few not supported by HPLIP. A bit of googling and some command line jiggery-pokery has got it working, after a fashion, but still only in mono.

And here's the rub. I can access CUPS (localhost:631) through a browser and change all the settings I need to, but as soon as I hit "apply" it asks for a username and password. This is where the wheels come off, as it appears that the hacked about version of Xandros that ships with the eee doesn't have a root password as such and the null user account password doesn't work.

So, if any Linux guru reading this knows how to edit the cuspd.conf file to remove the authentication requirements, I'd really appreciate a steer in the right direction. I've wasted a whole afternoon on this so far and it's giving me the right hump . Not that I'm stubborn or anything, I just refuse to be beaten by a computer..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[HughJarse]

I am so sorry but I really am laughing, have you read the threads over the past couple of weeks... the ones that keep breaking into the linux / windows argument... This thread is so "cat amongst pigeons" you have no idea.

I do have the little brother of that model but am sorry cannot help you other than say we are actually erasing ours and putting a "lite" version of XP on.

 

[gaz_l]

This thread is so "cat amongst pigeons" you have no idea.

Not my intention at all.. please disregard this thread!

I realise this is a car forum, but there are some knowledgeable people on here.. hence my question.

BTW, I am platform agnostic.. at home I run Windows (in various flavours), OS X, and a couple of Linux distros. They all do the job..

I'll shut up now.. where's me coat?

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Ratz]

Have you tried a printer drivers for a slightly different model? I know the 2600 is out on it's own a bit but it's worth a try.

As for the password, can you edit the password file? A colleague at work used the technique of copying the password file to another computer - editing - and then put back(obviously making sure you rename the original first as a backup). Sorry I can't go into more detail on this, he's a LINUX guru & I am not and so I was only half listening at the time.

 

[Dryce]

And here's the rub. I can access CUPS (localhost:631) through a browser and change all the settings I need to, but as soon as I hit "apply" it asks for a username and password. This is where the wheels come off, as it appears that the hacked about version of Xandros that ships with the eee doesn't have a root password as such and the null user account password doesn't work.

So, if any Linux guru reading this knows how to edit the cuspd.conf file to remove the authentication requirements, I'd really appreciate a steer in the right direction. I've wasted a whole afternoon on this so far and it's giving me the right hump . Not that I'm stubborn or anything, I just refuse to be beaten by a computer..

Distant recollection is that Cups should use the root password. If the system is setup by defailt without a root password then you will probably have to set it explicitly.

 

[Dryce]

This thread is so "cat amongst pigeons" you have no idea.

Haven't noticed many pigeons about so it may be quite a lonely cat.

 

[Ted]

see if 'chmod 777 <filename>' works.

Then try the delights of 'vi'
I love it.

 

[seymansey]

As far as I recall, the cups config uses your root username and password.

BTW have you tried putting ubuntu on your eeePC? A few collegues of mine have one and use ubuntu on it to gret effect. It's also far nice to setup new apps and you have a huge support community to help you out

 

[gaz_l]

Thanks for the replies. I've had more important things to get on with today, so playing with the new gadget has had to take a back seat.

Printing from the eee isn't essential, I can always copy the file onto a stick and print it from another machine.. I have a bit of a collection . And it does work in mono.. it's just annoying that I can't change the CUPS configuration to make it work in colour .

I may experiment with another OS.. Asus provide all the drivers to make it work with XP, so that's an easy option.. I have also heard that Ubuntu is popular, might look into that as well..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[agatward]

The other option is to open a terminal as the user you log in as, type 'sudo /bin/su -' and enter the user's password. This escalates your terminal to root privilege, from where you can use the 'passwd' command to change or set the root user password.

Hope this helps.

 

[gaz_l]

The other option is to open a terminal as the user you log in as, type 'sudo /bin/su -' and enter the user's password. This escalates your terminal to root privilege, from where you can use the 'passwd' command to change or set the root user password.

Hope this helps.

Ta.

Another step forward, the root password is now set and I can fiddle with CUPS to my heart's content.

The printer's not quite sorted yet, but I'm getting there..

Cheers,

Gaz