[SOLVED] - Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Issues related to applications and software problems
Post Reply
User avatar
warron.french
Posts: 616
Joined: 2014/03/27 20:21:58

[SOLVED] - Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by warron.french » 2018/06/13 01:24:47

Using the XSettings applet in CentOS-7 I went to Printers to Add a Printer.

I do not see my HP printer model in the list. Is there something I can do? I have never seen Linux support for any HP printers (which really sucks).

The model printer that I have is an HP OfficeJet 6970.

Thanks for any guidance.
Last edited by warron.french on 2018/08/26 03:39:48, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks,
War

User avatar
TrevorH
Site Admin
Posts: 33202
Joined: 2009/09/24 10:40:56
Location: Brighton, UK

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by TrevorH » 2018/06/13 06:38:26

You'll want a ppd file from HP to make it work. No idea if there is one but I have a 6980 and that works. Get a ppd file, import it into cups as you set up the printer and that should be it.
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

User avatar
warron.french
Posts: 616
Joined: 2014/03/27 20:21:58

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by warron.french » 2018/06/15 01:37:54

Hey TrevorH, thanks.

Is it easy to acquire a PPD file from HP for my printer? What are the steps for something like that?

When I tried this, the HP website indicated it would need me to go to another website; but it was for HPLIP. Does that sound correct?
Thanks,
War

desertcat
Posts: 843
Joined: 2014/08/07 02:17:29
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by desertcat » 2018/06/15 02:57:58

warron.french wrote:
2018/06/13 01:24:47
Using the XSettings applet in CentOS-7 I went to Printers to Add a Printer.

I do not see my HP printer model in the list. Is there something I can do? I have never seen Linux support for any HP printers (which really sucks).

The model printer that I have is an HP OfficeJet 6970.

Thanks for any guidance.
Actually I would be surprised if it were NOT supported. When I was considering buying a printer I did my research first. HP printers are the most Linux friendly printers on the market.

I asked my sister to send me a HP... printer for Christmas. I *knew* it would work, what she sent me was a HP Envy 4520, which I had not researched. I need not have feared, it too was supported. As I recall most HP OfficeJet Printers are supported.

Rule of Thump: IF you plan to buy a printer and your OS of choice is a LINUX distro you start by looking at HP printers. There may be other printers on the market that are Linux friendly -- or so they claim -- the reality is that most are either Windoze and/or Apple specific printers, Linux -- IF it is supported at all -- is an after thought.

Here is some info that might help you:

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=228518

"I managed to solve the problem by downloading and installing HPLIP 3.16.18. I also had to manually discover my printer's IP address by printing out the printers network information and entering into the HPLIP utility. It took a little tweaking, but it is now printing and scanning as it should."

https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing

http://hpdriverdownload.us/590/hp-offic ... -download/

Note: there is one here devoted to Linux and a specific download for CentOS

Hope this helps.

User avatar
warron.french
Posts: 616
Joined: 2014/03/27 20:21:58

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by warron.french » 2018/08/08 18:11:07

@desertcat, thanks.

I did see a reference to HPLIP, so I guess that is the driver that was being inferred. I didn't know about this being a valid driver.
Thanks,
War

MartinR
Posts: 714
Joined: 2015/05/11 07:53:27
Location: UK

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by MartinR » 2018/08/09 22:20:15

hplip is in the CentOS base. If you have an HP printer, install it. If your printer is not listed, start by trying the highest numbered one of the same type (don't try to get an OfficeJet printer to use a ColourLaser ppd). One tip: whatever your version of CentOS, try to use the latest hplip, and if necessary copy the ppd over. I needed to do that for a 6.10 machine, the ppd was in the 7.5 machine's hplip.

User avatar
warron.french
Posts: 616
Joined: 2014/03/27 20:21:58

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by warron.french » 2018/08/10 00:51:55

MartinR, thanks for the advice and information.
Thanks,
War

User avatar
warron.french
Posts: 616
Joined: 2014/03/27 20:21:58

Re: Add an HP OfficeJet 6970 to CentOS

Post by warron.french » 2018/08/26 02:52:00

I was able to finally get an opportunity to install hplip and move forward with this challenge. Thank you to all that provided feedback and guidance.

I got a Test Print page to come out.
Thanks,
War

Post Reply