From: ojohns@bodhi.sfsu.edu (Oliver Johns)
Subject: Solution of a 3.0 printer problem
Keywords: printer
Organization: S.F.State University
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 20:51:05 GMT


	This is a solution (note: I do not say *the* solution) to the  
problem of a missing printcap entry after a 3.0 upgrade.  I suspect that  
the reason for that omission is that I had my printer off (using nppower  
off) when I did the upgrade.  If you have not upgraded yet, you might  
check that.

	This worked for a 25MHz monochrome NextStation (not turbo) with  
20MB memory, connected to a standard NeXT Laser Printer.  The printer was  
left on during the following, but I don't imagine that matters.  You may  
have to change some of the following to fit your setup and wishes.  In  
particular, note that this assumes a local root domaine / .

	Here is how to get it running:  Copy the printcap entry listed  
below and paste it into a file named, e.g., myprintcap.  Log in as root  
and open Terminal.  Go to your /etc/netinfo/local.nidb directory and make  
copies of everything you see there.  Then cd to the directory where  
myprintcap lives and do
	niload printcap / < myprintcap
Now check your work by doing
	nidump printcap /
You should see what you just read in.

	Now quit the terminal and open NetInfoManager.  Click the printer  
entry and you should see a subdirectory Local_Printer.  Double click on  
Local_Printer to open it.  You should see what you just read in, a bunch  
of properties, each with its correct value.

	Now, with Local_Printer highlighted in the / directory window,  
click New Subdirectory in the Domain menu.  You will be asked if you are  
serious.  Say yes.  Double click NewDirectory to open it.  Click on the  
value for the name property and change it to:   Device
Then, with the name property highlighted in the Device directory, use the  
Append Property and New Value in the Directory menu to add these  
properties and values:
	FormatList      =     Frames
	DriverClass     =     NXNLPDriver
	PrintShortcut   =     1
	Frames          =     0
Now go back and highlight Local_Printer in the / directory and once again  
click New Subdirectory in the Domain menu.  You will get another  
NewDirectory.  Double click it to open it.  Click on the value of the  
names property and change it to   Admin  .
Then, with name highlighted in the Admin directory, use Append Property  
and New Value in the Directory menu to add one new property and its value:
	CoverSheet     =     0

	Now, for good measure click on Save, and then quit NetInfoManager.   
Reboot the machine.  Now when it comes back up, you should be able to see  
appropriate things in the PrinterManager app.  Click on Test and you  
should see a test page.

	These values were culled from default files deep in the guts of  
/usr/lib/NextPrinter.  I don't know what all the defaults mean, or whether  
other values might be better for me.  I await some decent documentation  
from NeXT for that!!!  :-[ .

Here is the result of a nidump printcap / on my machine.  It should save  
you some typing.  Note, however, that more information has to be added to  
the netinfo database beyond what is given below:
--------------------------begin copy on following line------------------
Local_Printer: \
	:lf=/usr/adm/lpd-errs:sf=:sb=:lp=/dev/null:mx=0: \
	:if=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/prserver: \
	:cf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/pscf: \
	:df=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/psdf: \
	:gf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/psgf: \
	:nf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/psnf: \
	:rf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/psrf: \
	:tf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/pstf: \
	:vf=/usr/lib/NextPrinter/Server/psvf: \
	:sd=/usr/spool/NeXT/Local_Printer:nxformat=3.0: \
	:ty=NeXT 400 dpi Level II Printer:_writers=*:
------------------------end copy on previous line------------------------

	Oliver Johns, Physics Dept.
	San Francisco State University
	San Francisco, CA 94132, U.S.A.
	<ojohns@bodhi.sfsu.edu>
	NeXT (or non-NeXT) Mail accepted.