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Trying to learn a bit about Linux, as well as solve a printing issue with LO in Linux Mint 17.3. The printer is a Samsung CLP-315 color laser.
When printing a spreadsheet, and selecting landscape, LO prints landscape, but to paper that is still portrait. Sort of like this...
Hi Ken,
There any many versions of Linux, just look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
to see. If you are wishing to stay with Mint, then take a look at their home page. There plenty are of good options and
you will find that people have their preferences and tend to stay with them. I use MX-Linux, which is based on
Debian, like MInt, and is a mid sized but very stable operating system. MX has LO built in.
Where you setting your portrait/landscape option, in LO?
Gordon.
Trying to learn a bit about Linux, as well as solve a printing issue
with LO in Linux Mint 17.3. The printer is a Samsung CLP-315 color
laser.When printing a spreadsheet, and selecting landscape, LO prints
landscape, but to paper that is still portrait. Sort of like this...____________
> >
..................................
>___________|The dots represent the data that is trying to be printed.
If I set the paper to portrait, this is the result. All the data is
printed.____________
> >
...................
>___________|My suspicion is the printer driver, but I would like to install the
current Linux stable version. Mint installs 5.0.3.2, which is the
current version in the repository, from what I can see.I know it's somewhat apples to oranges, but the same spreadsheet works
fine on my Mac with the current version of LO.Once I've downloaded the current version, where to I go from there?
Hi Ken,
Hi, Gordon,
There any many versions of Linux, just look at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
to see.
Oh, yea, I know. I go peek at distrtowatch.com now and again. And I've played with a number of LiveCD's to get a quick look at the ones that looked interesting to me.
If you are wishing to stay with Mint, then take a look at their
home page. There plenty are of good options and
you will find that people have their preferences and tend to stay with
them.
I joined their forums 4-5 months ago. And I got some suggestions about using PPA's other than Linux Mint. Just haven't had the time to get to that. But that doesn't mean the latest stable version is in any of those PPA's.
FYI, this printing problem has cropped up a couple weeks ago. I asked in the forums a couple months ago.
Right now I'm using Mint with the Cinnamon desktop, looking for some alternative to Windows and Macs that look simpler to tackle for seniors and other "computer illiterate" folks. Something they may find easier to learn. Secondarily, some of these individuals may have unsupported versions of operating systems, but can't afford to buy a new system. Or, they may not have one and can't afford one, but older hardware can be salvaged and the system given to them.
I use MX-Linux, which is based on
Debian, like MInt, and is a mid sized but very stable operating system.
MX has LO built in.
Mint also has LO built in.
Where you setting your portrait/landscape option, in LO?
Been switching between them in Calc, in this case. When I stumbled on this problem today, I also tried Writer, same problem.
But, in the printer's properties, I can't switch from landscape to portrait. The option is greyed out.
I've even tried reversing the page dimensions, to no avail.
Calc printed fine to a Canon MX-670 (I think that's the right printer) when the printer was first installed. Then it broke for some unknown reason. It would print about 1.25" of data, and then be paused. Resume the printing, and another 1.25" would print. Removing the printer and reinstalling (although I might not have done it correctly) failed to fix the issue.
I swapped the computer out (laptops both, same Linux version), and the other system also printed fine. My conclusion was something went bonkers in the first computer. I don't have the time currently to learn enough about Linux Mint to find the true cause, but installing is so easy, I'm just reinstalling Mint and I'm sure it will work fine once again.
OH! And the RAM passed Memtest86, so that isn't the problem. And the user of the computer isn't the most literate either. 
I've had to fix issues with the spreadsheet that were all data entry errors.
So finding out why it doesn't print to my laser is more curiosity/learning than anything else.
Hi again Ken,
There is some odd going on here. I don't use LO very
often, most of my writing is done with Lyx, which then outputs as a
PDF and I print from there. Have just looked at LO and found that
when it was asked to print, to either my little Brother laser,or an
elderly HP Deskjet, the landscape paper option was greyed out,
just like yours. These results came on a desktop, running MX-15
Linux. Looked as if LO was deciding that the files would fit onto
portrait and not giving me the option to change.
I'll do some more digging. Think I have LO on a laptop with XP,
will dig it out .Perhaps somebody else will pop upon the forum
with an answer.
Gordon
This was brought out in an earlier thread. Go to Print -> options tab and check "Use only paper size from printer preferences."
That should enable paper sizes and orientation selection in the print dialog.
HTH.
Girvin
Also, Click the Format Tab (at top of LO Page) about halfway down the popup
is Page, Select that and you have a whole range of options, including Landscape.
Gordon.
Now, if all that fails. I have had the same symptom under Opensuse. If I select output as postscript instead of PDF it prints ok.
steve
It does not.
However, I discovered I can go to the printer's defaults, and set landscape there, choose the "Use only..." setting in LO, and I get the landscape layout when the spreadsheet is printed.
What I'm taking away from this is, it is a problem with LO 5.0.x that comes with Mint 17.3 Rosa.
So I still need to go somewhere to find out how I install the current version after I have it downloaded.
Thanks for the help and suggestions, everyone.
Hi Ken,
So I still need to go somewhere to find out how I install the
current version after I have it downloaded.Thanks for the help and suggestions, everyone.
You could download the packages for your system here:
http://downloadarchive.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/old/
All versions are available here - also release-candidates of new version
s.
For every installation on linux you could
- - install as root/SuperUser
- - install as user in your own directory
Install as root/SuperUser:
1. Upack the files you downloaded (program, help, language)
2. Create a directory which you could call as you want (local_sources)
3. Move the *.deb-packages (or *.rpm-packages) to this directory
4. Use your install-program and add the directory as a local source
for your installer.
5. Now you could choose the directory with your installer and could
install all packages from there.
For updates: You must only do step 1. and 3. again.
Install as user in your own directory
1. The same as above
2. The same as above, name of directory would be better LibreOffice
3. The same as above
4. Add a directory th the directory of 2.: "install"
5. Open the shell in the directory "install"
6. Start the following code:
a) for *.deb
for i in ../*.deb; do dpkg-deb -x $i . ; done
b) for *.rpm
for i in ../*.rpm; do rpm2cpio $i | cpio -id; done
You could start LO from the folder ../install/opt/libreoffice5.2/program
with the shellscript 'soffice'.
I have installed 20 versions of LO here beneath each other in this
way. So I could test with different versions, when I am looking for
first appearence of bugs.
Regards
Robert
Ken, instructions for upgrading Linux Mint 17.3 to Linux Mint 18 - if
that's what you're after - are found here :
https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2316. They worked very well
for me....
Henri
Yes, you must select landscape in LO (Format -> Page) to format the document/page and you must select landscape in the print dialog to select the printer paper size/orientation. If you don't then you get the symptoms you described in your OP. This is not a bug. It makes good sense.
The grayed out paper size/orientation in the print dialog I responded to, is a separate issue brought up by Gordon and seemed to have started with LO 5.x. Don't know about 4.x. LO 3.x did not exhibit this "feature" AFAIK. OpenOffice 4.x does not exhibit this either, but then it is a different beast now.
Girvin
Trying to learn a bit about Linux, as well as solve a printing issue
with LO in Linux Mint 17.3. The printer is a Samsung CLP-315 color
laser.When printing a spreadsheet, and selecting landscape, LO prints
landscape, but to paper that is still portrait. Sort of like this...____________
> >
..................................
>___________|The dots represent the data that is trying to be printed.
If I set the paper to portrait, this is the result. All the data is
printed.____________
> >
...................
>___________|My suspicion is the printer driver, but I would like to install the
current Linux stable version. Mint installs 5.0.3.2, which is the
current version in the repository, from what I can see.I know it's somewhat apples to oranges, but the same spreadsheet works
fine on my Mac with the current version of LO.Once I've downloaded the current version, where to I go from there?
Hi Ken,
Hi, Gordon,
There any many versions of Linux, just look at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
to see.Oh, yea, I know. I go peek at distrtowatch.com now and again. And I've played with a number of LiveCD's to get a quick look at the ones that looked interesting to me.
If you are wishing to stay with Mint, then take a look at their
home page. There plenty are of good options and
you will find that people have their preferences and tend to stay with
them.I joined their forums 4-5 months ago. And I got some suggestions about using PPA's other than Linux Mint. Just haven't had the time to get to that. But that doesn't mean the latest stable version is in any of those PPA's.
FYI, this printing problem has cropped up a couple weeks ago. I asked in the forums a couple months ago.
Right now I'm using Mint with the Cinnamon desktop, looking for some alternative to Windows and Macs that look simpler to tackle for seniors and other "computer illiterate" folks. Something they may find easier to learn. Secondarily, some of these individuals may have unsupported versions of operating systems, but can't afford to buy a new system. Or, they may not have one and can't afford one, but older hardware can be salvaged and the system given to them.
On old XP systems, I tend to replace Windows with Ubuntu with Mint as the desktop. It was the closest to what I saw with Ubuntu's desktop for 9.x.x thru 10.10.x
It works well for XP users, in my test with friends.
I use MX-Linux, which is based on
Debian, like MInt, and is a mid sized but very stable operating system.
MX has LO built in.
I use to use Linux Mint, but had too many issues with networked Canon inkjet printers.
So I installed Ubuntu again, since I could find the Mint desktop for it. Now Ubuntu has a distro with Mint as a default instead of adding it after Unity desktop opens up.
Also, when I was using Linux Mint, I could not easily upgrade to the newest version.
Ubuntu tries to keep its repository up-to-date with the latest stable version of LO. I am running Ubuntu 16.04 with Mint. I am using LO 5.2.1.2 on this laptop, but plan on upgrading it soon. Since I have been using Ubuntu since the 9.x.x days on my main desktop. I have tried a few others on other laptops/desktops. I chose Ubuntu since it was the only Live CD that worked on my old HP desktop's sound card right from that CD. Right now this laptop, and my spare, run both Ubuntu 16.04 and Windows 10,
Mint also has LO built in.
Where you setting your portrait/landscape option, in LO?
Been switching between them in Calc, in this case. When I stumbled on this problem today, I also tried Writer, same problem.
But, in the printer's properties, I can't switch from landscape to portrait. The option is greyed out.
I've even tried reversing the page dimensions, to no avail.
Are you sure it is a MX670?
If so, what country did you get it from.
I do not see it listed in the Canon support for the USA.
Calc printed fine to a Canon MX-670 (I think that's the right printer) when the printer was first installed. Then it broke for some unknown reason. It would print about 1.25" of data, and then be paused. Resume the printing, and another 1.25" would print. Removing the printer and reinstalling (although I might not have done it correctly) failed to fix the issue.
I have bought so far 6220, 922, 5420, and a new one coming - 5320 - to help deal with the issues that my 6220 is having. It was my default photo printer. I had to find a two-way-paper-feeding printer, since that is what I needed from the 6220. I have also a HP laser and a HP 13x19 inch paper printer. The Canon 922 print head needs replacing for it to be working again, so I will replace the printer or repair it depending on the costs.
Where did you get the Canon printer driver?
I tended to go either to the UK or Canada for the drivers.
Sometimes I needed to remove the printer from the printer list and then reinstall the drivers and then the printer. Sometimes that fixes problems that are not fixed with easier methods, like removing the LO user config files and the reopen LO to recreate it.
There is a ppa source [I do to remember where it came from] for most of the newer printers that are no longer showing Linux drivers in the Canon support sites.
Hi, Robert,
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
<snip>
For every installation on linux you could
- - install as root/SuperUser
- - install as user in your own directoryInstall as root/SuperUser:
1. Upack the files you downloaded (program, help, language)
2. Create a directory which you could call as you want (local_sources)
3. Move the *.deb-packages (or *.rpm-packages) to this directory
4. Use your install-program and add the directory as a local source
for your installer.
5. Now you could choose the directory with your installer and could
install all packages from there.
I did OK until step 4, and then my lack of basic Linux knowledge reared it's ugly head. ROFL
In Mint 17.3, under Administration I see Software Manager, Software Sources, and Synaptic Package Manager. But in none of those do I recognize anything that lets me point to folder I created. I.E. a point and click method. Is one of these the "install-program" you are referring to?
Would the folder I created now be called a repository? If so, do I input the complete path? Which means I need to learn how Linux structures pathnames.
Where can a find a truly beginner's guide for this type of information? I've noticed over the years that many "beginners" articles are not truly beginners articles at all, the articles already assume some basic level of knowledge. Knowledge that does not always exist.
Hi, Henri,
<snip>
Ken, instructions for upgrading Linux Mint 17.3 to Linux Mint 18 - if
that's what you're after - are found here :
https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2316. They worked very well
for me....
For the time being, I'm going to stay with 17.3 until I understand it better. But I created a LiveCD for 18, and may install it on an old laptop I have here in the future.
For the moment, I'm just trying to solve this issue of printing from LO Calc on my Samsung laser.
Hullo Ken !
There's a lot of wisdom in the old aphorism to the effect that if it ain't
broke, don't fix it, and Mint 17.3 works very well - even if I myself find
Mint 18 just a little bit better. In any event, someone on the Linux Mint
Forum for printers and scanners (
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewforum.php?f=51) might be able to suggest
solutions for the specific problems you're having printing from LO Calc on
your Samsung laser printer - perhaps worth a try ?...
With regard to easily keeping your installation of LO updated on Mint, you
might want to consider installing the PPA (
https://launchpad.net/~libreoffice/+archive/ubuntu/ppa). I can confirm that
it works like a charm, and you don't have to download and install the .deb
files yourself !...
Henri
Trying to learn a bit about Linux, as well as solve a printing issue
with LO in Linux Mint 17.3. The printer is a Samsung CLP-315 color
laser.When printing a spreadsheet, and selecting landscape, LO prints
landscape, but to paper that is still portrait. Sort of like this...____________
> >
..................................
>___________|The dots represent the data that is trying to be printed.
If I set the paper to portrait, this is the result. All the data is
printed.____________
> >
...................
>___________|My suspicion is the printer driver, but I would like to install the
current Linux stable version. Mint installs 5.0.3.2, which is the
current version in the repository, from what I can see.I know it's somewhat apples to oranges, but the same spreadsheet works
fine on my Mac with the current version of LO.Once I've downloaded the current version, where to I go from there?
Hi Ken,
Hi, Gordon,
There any many versions of Linux, just look at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
to see.Oh, yea, I know. I go peek at distrtowatch.com now and again. And
I've played with a number of LiveCD's to get a quick look at the ones
that looked interesting to me.If you are wishing to stay with Mint, then take a look at their
home page. There plenty are of good options and
you will find that people have their preferences and tend to stay with
them.I joined their forums 4-5 months ago. And I got some suggestions
about using PPA's other than Linux Mint. Just haven't had the time to
get to that. But that doesn't mean the latest stable version is in
any of those PPA's.FYI, this printing problem has cropped up a couple weeks ago. I asked
in the forums a couple months ago.Right now I'm using Mint with the Cinnamon desktop, looking for some
alternative to Windows and Macs that look simpler to tackle for
seniors and other "computer illiterate" folks. Something they may
find easier to learn. Secondarily, some of these individuals may have
unsupported versions of operating systems, but can't afford to buy a
new system. Or, they may not have one and can't afford one, but older
hardware can be salvaged and the system given to them.On old XP systems, I tend to replace Windows with Ubuntu with Mint as
the desktop. It was the closest to what I saw with Ubuntu's desktop for
9.x.x thru 10.10.xIt works well for XP users, in my test with friends.
Is it Ubuntu that works well for your friends, or the Mint desktop? My reason for using Mint is the Cinnamon environment seemed to provide the simplest user interface for new to Linux or new to computers users to understand.
I use MX-Linux, which is based on
Debian, like MInt, and is a mid sized but very stable operating system.
MX has LO built in.I use to use Linux Mint, but had too many issues with networked Canon
inkjet printers.So I installed Ubuntu again, since I could find the Mint desktop for
it. Now Ubuntu has a distro with Mint as a default instead of adding it
after Unity desktop opens up.Also, when I was using Linux Mint, I could not easily upgrade to the
newest version.Ubuntu tries to keep its repository up-to-date with the latest stable
version of LO. I am running Ubuntu 16.04 with Mint. I am using LO
5.2.1.2 on this laptop, but plan on upgrading it soon. Since I have been
using Ubuntu since the 9.x.x days on my main desktop. I have tried a
few others on other laptops/desktops. I chose Ubuntu since it was the
only Live CD that worked on my old HP desktop's sound card right from
that CD. Right now this laptop, and my spare, run both Ubuntu 16.04 and
Windows 10,Mint also has LO built in.
Where you setting your portrait/landscape option, in LO?
Been switching between them in Calc, in this case. When I stumbled on
this problem today, I also tried Writer, same problem.But, in the printer's properties, I can't switch from landscape to
portrait. The option is greyed out.I've even tried reversing the page dimensions, to no avail.
Are you sure it is a MX670?
If so, what country did you get it from.
I do not see it listed in the Canon support for the USA.
My bad, Tim, I typed the model from memory. Sorry.
It's an MX 870 from the US.
Calc printed fine to a Canon MX-670 (I think that's the right printer)
when the printer was first installed. Then it broke for some unknown
reason. It would print about 1.25" of data, and then be paused.
Resume the printing, and another 1.25" would print. Removing the
printer and reinstalling (although I might not have done it correctly)
failed to fix the issue.I have bought so far 6220, 922, 5420, and a new one coming - 5320 - to
help deal with the issues that my 6220 is having. It was my default
photo printer. I had to find a two-way-paper-feeding printer, since
that is what I needed from the 6220. I have also a HP laser and a HP
13x19 inch paper printer. The Canon 922 print head needs replacing for
it to be working again, so I will replace the printer or repair it
depending on the costs.Where did you get the Canon printer driver?
I tended to go either to the UK or Canada for the drivers.
I didn't go anywhere. <G> Mint just plain "saw" it and worked, until there was the printing problem with it. That problem is it just plain pauses itself, and indicates that in the print queue.
Sometimes I needed to remove the printer from the printer list and then
reinstall the drivers and then the printer. Sometimes that fixes
problems that are not fixed with easier methods, like removing the LO
user config files and the reopen LO to recreate it.
We don't want to confuse ourselves here, we are starting to talk about 2 different printers in 2 different locations. The Samsung laser is mine at home, the Canon is at a social agency and owned by them.
Hi again Ken,
There is some odd going on here. I don't use LO
very
often, most of my writing is done with Lyx, which then outputs as a
PDF and I print from there. Have just looked at LO and found that
when it was asked to print, to either my little Brother laser,or an
elderly HP Deskjet, the landscape paper option was greyed out,
just like yours. These results came on a desktop, running MX-15
Linux. Looked as if LO was deciding that the files would fit onto
portrait and not giving me the option to change.I'll do some more digging. Think I have LO on a laptop with XP,
will dig it out .Perhaps somebody else will pop upon the forum
with an answer.Gordon
This was brought out in an earlier thread. Go to Print -> options tab
and check "Use only paper size from printer preferences."That should enable paper sizes and orientation selection in the print
dialog.It does not.
However, I discovered I can go to the printer's defaults, and set
landscape there, choose the "Use only..." setting in LO, and I get the
landscape layout when the spreadsheet is printed.What I'm taking away from this is, it is a problem with LO 5.0.x that
comes with Mint 17.3 Rosa.So I still need to go somewhere to find out how I install the current
version after I have it downloaded.Thanks for the help and suggestions, everyone.
Yes, you must select landscape in LO (Format -> Page) to format the
document/page and you must select landscape in the print dialog to
select the printer paper size/orientation. If you don't then you get
the symptoms you described in your OP. This is not a bug. It makes
good sense.
Agreed. Only problem is, it doesn't work for me at the moment with the default LO in Mint 17.3
Hi, Henri,
<snip>
Ken, instructions for upgrading Linux Mint 17.3 to Linux Mint 18 - if
that's what you're after - are found here :
https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2316. They worked very well
for me....For the time being, I'm going to stay with 17.3 until I understand it
better. But I created a LiveCD for 18, and may install it on an old laptop
I have here in the future.For the moment, I'm just trying to solve this issue of printing from LO
Calc on my Samsung laser.--
Ken
Mac OS X 10.11.6
Firefox 49.0.1
Thunderbird 45.3.0
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"
Hullo Ken !There's a lot of wisdom in the old aphorism to the effect that if it ain't
broke, don't fix it,
And if Microsoft would only listen... LOL
and Mint 17.3 works very well - even if I myself find
Mint 18 just a little bit better. In any event, someone on the Linux Mint
Forum for printers and scanners (
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewforum.php?f=51) might be able to suggest
solutions for the specific problems you're having printing from LO Calc on
your Samsung laser printer - perhaps worth a try ?...
I registered there soon after starting with Mint. I don't post much because I don't get to "play" with Linux much.
In this case, things seem to be pointing to LO, and I want to eliminate that possibility before looking at another possible cause.
With regard to easily keeping your installation of LO updated on Mint, you
might want to consider installing the PPA (
https://launchpad.net/~libreoffice/+archive/ubuntu/ppa). I can confirm that
it works like a charm, and you don't have to download and install the .deb
files yourself !...
Hopefully, after some help from Robert Großkopf I'll be able to do that.
Hi Ken,
4. Use your install-program and add the directory as a local
source for your installer. 5. Now you could choose the directory
with your installer and could install all packages from there.I did OK until step 4, and then my lack of basic Linux knowledge
reared it's ugly head. ROFLIn Mint 17.3, under Administration I see Software Manager, Software
Sources, and Synaptic Package Manager.
I have never seen Mint. I'm using OpenSUSE since many years. But when
I see the title I would try it with
Software Sources.
There must be a possibility to add sources in the web, like Packman,
or also local Folders without any special description.
After you have added the directory as a source you could close
Software Sources
and could open
Software Manager (don't know the difference between "Software Manager"
and "Synaptic Package Manager").
There you should be able to install the packages of the folder.
Would the folder I created now be called a repository? If so, do I
input the complete path? Which means I need to learn how Linux
structures pathnames.
Yes, it would be like a repository. But you haven't to know anything
about pathnames. There must be a button to choose the path out of a
list. The only difference to normal repositories: There is no
description inside the repository. It's only a repository with
deb-packages.
Where can a find a truly beginner's guide for this type of
information? I've noticed over the years that many "beginners"
articles are not truly beginners articles at all, the articles
already assume some basic level of knowledge. Knowledge that does
not always exist.
I will have a look, if I find something special for your situation.
Regards
Robert
I do not get what is being said in 4 and 5 as well.
What I do is unpack the install files [I use .deb files] and place them all in a temporary folder I call "lib". Nice and simple, I have that folder in the "home" folder called "timothy".
This will give me "/home/timothy/lib" while using the file manager package [on Mint] called "Caja".
Then I use the "Mate Terminal" [default command line for the MATE desktop GUI]
This is my starting point for this laptop - yours will look different since you will not have the same laptop and user name. This is the default user folder for my laptop.
timothy@Gateway-NE56R12u:~$
I type in "cd lib"
timothy@Gateway-NE56R12u:~$ cd lib
I get this folder shown
timothy@Gateway-NE56R12u:~/lib$
At this point I use this command to install all of the .deb files from that folder. I tend to place both the language and help .deb files - if needed - in a different folder like lib2.
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
This will prompt me to five my superuser password. Then it will start a "long" install process for all of the .deb files in the folder. The RPM system would have some different names for the commands I use for the DEB based Linux OS [ I use Ubuntu with Mate desktop]
So, if you have a folder off your home folder [or directory] with the name of "lib" [home/timothy/lib], the command line is a very easy route.
cd lib
sudo dpkg -i *.deb