Brother printer prints strange letters

JoergJaeger · December 20, 2011, 1:56am

Hi, i have a strange problem with my printer. It is a Brother HL-2240D and if i print the test page it prints strange letters in it. The overall text is ok, but here and there are some strange letters or signs.
If i check the log it prints an error, but i am not sure if thats normal.


W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No limit for Validate-Job defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No limit for Cancel-Jobs defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No limit for Cancel-My-Jobs defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No limit for Close-Job defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No limit for CUPS-Get-Document defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No JobPrivateAccess defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No JobPrivateValues defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No SubscriptionPrivateAccess defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:45:54 -0800] No SubscriptionPrivateValues defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No limit for Validate-Job defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No limit for Cancel-Jobs defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No limit for Cancel-My-Jobs defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No limit for Close-Job defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No limit for CUPS-Get-Document defined in policy allowallforanybody and no suitable template found.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No JobPrivateAccess defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No JobPrivateValues defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No SubscriptionPrivateAccess defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:48:40 -0800] No SubscriptionPrivateValues defined in policy allowallforanybody - using defaults.
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4000_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_8100_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5000_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5MP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_3200.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_3390.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_2800.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_2200.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_8000_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_2605.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_4700.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4350.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4050_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5200.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_2500.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_8500.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_4650.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4100_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_3000.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Mopier_240.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_1320_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_8150_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5200L.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_3052.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9000_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_3015.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9050.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_2300.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_3050.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4240.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Business_Inkjet_3000.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_4500.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_9500.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_business_inkjet_2300.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Business_Inkjet_2600.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_officejet_9100_series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_9500_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4345_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_4600.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_6MP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_4200_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_4550.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Mopier_320.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4250.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_5550.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_3020_3030.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_2550.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5100_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9055_9065_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Business_Inkjet_2800.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_2420.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_8550.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_5M.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_5M.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_4300_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_1300_series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_2430.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9040.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_3800.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9040_9050_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_1220.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_2100_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_LaserJet_3380.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_4610.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_9000_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Color_LaserJet_4730_MFP.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_3700.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/hp_color_LaserJet_5500.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_2410.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_3300_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4100_Series.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_4Si_v2011.110.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_LaserJet_1200.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Business_Inkjet_2280.ppd.gz!
W [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [CGI] Missing NickName and ModelName in /usr/share/cups/model/manufacturer-PPDs/hp/HP_Business_Inkjet_2250.ppd.gz!
E [19/Dec/2011:16:49:13 -0800] [cups-driverd] Bad driver information file "/usr/share/cups/drv/sample.drv"!

I re-installed the driver from brother twice but it seems not to solve the problem.

Not sure if that matters at all, but i use german as the main language on the desktop and use english for the keyboard.
Is there something i can check to see if everything is installed correctly?

p.s. using 12.1 (x64) KDE 4.7.2

JoergJaeger · December 20, 2011, 3:36am

I tried to install the drivers according to Brother.


linux-7tnd:/home/joerg/Downloads # rpm  -ihv  --nodeps hl2240dlpr-2.1.1-1.i386.rpm
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
   1:hl2240dlpr             ########################################### [100%]
linux-7tnd:/home/joerg/Downloads # rpm  -ihv  --nodeps cupswrapperHL2240D-2.0.4-2.i386.rpm
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
   1:cupswrapperHL2240D     ########################################### [100%]
redirecting to systemctl
linux-7tnd:/home/joerg/Downloads # rpm  -qa  |  grep  -e  hl2240dlpr-2.1.1-1.386.rpm  -e  cupswrapperHL2240D-2.0.4-2.i386.rpm

strangely i don’t get a respond from the terminal if i do the last command. How do i know for certain that everything is installed?

JoergJaeger · December 20, 2011, 3:51am

Well, i solved it now.

It appears that if you install the printer just with the provided drivers from Brother, it is not working correctly.
I needed to go in cups to use a different driver (HL2240D is not listed) and used the 2170W which works fine.
Now the printout are correct.

robin_listas · December 20, 2011, 3:58am

On 2011-12-20 02:06, JoergJaeger wrote:
> Hi, i have a strange problem with my printer. It is a Brother HL-2240D
> and if i print the test page it prints strange letters in it. The
> overall text is ok, but here and there are some strange letters or
> signs.

Print to file, then check the .ps file with gv.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

JoergJaeger · December 21, 2011, 1:26am

Well its solved now as i mentioned.

But do you know how the drivers work?

See, i am confused. I installed the drivers for my printer, but in cups they don’t show up. So instead of using a driver with the name 2240 i use now a driver with the name 2170 (kind of similar i suppose).
Also, and this might sound dumb, i had the impression that the printer will be setup just with cups and not needing to install it via Yast. Not sure if i am right on this.

In conclusion i think one needs to purchase a printer that is in the database (from the manufacturers database/cups). It seems that this printer is a dumb printer in having no real support from Brother.

Like i said, not sure but just a feeling.

robin_listas · December 21, 2011, 4:13am

On 2011-12-21 01:36, JoergJaeger wrote:
>
> Well its solved now as i mentioned.
>
> But do you know how the drivers work?

In this case, no

> In conclusion i think one needs to purchase a printer that is in the
> database (from the manufacturers database/cups). It seems that this
> printer is a dumb printer in having no real support from Brother.
>
> Like i said, not sure but just a feeling.

I’m also confused.
When I buy printers, I prefer to have direct support from cups, not from
the manufacturer.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

user · December 24, 2011, 12:09am

On 12/20/2011 04:36 PM, JoergJaeger wrote:
…]
> See, i am confused. I installed the drivers for my printer, but in cups
> they don’t show up. So instead of using a driver with the name 2240 i
> use now a driver with the name 2170 (kind of similar i suppose).
> Also, and this might sound dumb, i had the impression that the printer
> will be setup just with cups and not needing to install it via Yast. Not
> sure if i am right on this.
…]

My printer is Brother HL-2040. I used to download the driver/wrapper
packages from Brother and to do what you did, too. Lately, I’ve been
using CUPS (no YaST) to configure the printer, using the driver “HL-2060
Foomatic/hpijs-pcl5e”. This procedure seems to produce better-looking
printouts than Btother packages and YaST (if I can manage to work
through YaST, that is).

user · December 24, 2011, 12:18am

Am Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:09:49 +0000 schrieb Taki:

> On 12/20/2011 04:36 PM, JoergJaeger wrote:
> …]
>> See, i am confused. I installed the drivers for my printer, but in cups
>> they don’t show up. So instead of using a driver with the name 2240 i
>> use now a driver with the name 2170 (kind of similar i suppose).
>> Also, and this might sound dumb, i had the impression that the printer
>> will be setup just with cups and not needing to install it via Yast.
>> Not sure if i am right on this.
> …]
>
> My printer is Brother HL-2040. I used to download the driver/wrapper
> packages from Brother and to do what you did, too. Lately, I’ve been
> using CUPS (no YaST) to configure the printer, using the driver “HL-2060
> Foomatic/hpijs-pcl5e”. This procedure seems to produce better-looking
> printouts than Btother packages and YaST (if I can manage to work
> through YaST, that is).

Yes, i agree. I think next time i will buy a printer that is listed in
the database.
Mine was not and so i have to use a different printer driver. Still works
though.
Through that experience i am getting more savy on the printer front

At least we got it working and thats all that matters. You may add the
info to the hardware database here on the wiki. Maybe you did already.