I am trying to set up a Cannon MX870 (Printer, scanner with sheet feeder) to scan multiple documents. I can use ScanLite and the PIXMA backend to scan single photos on the flatbed only, which shows that the scanner is detected and connected. XSane does not work and I need to scan multiple pages of paper documents to PDF.
Another recent thread delt with another model of Cannon scanner. There, I learned I need to use Cannon’s software to get full functionality from the Cannon hardware.
Is there a full backend - frontend package for the cannon MX870 in any of the openSuse repositories?
Locate the RPM packages (not the DEB packages). One is for printing, the other for scanning. You’ll need to extract (unpack) them first. Right click-on the downloaded files to do that. You’ll see the option to Extract. Change to the directory where the files are located. Then use the install.sh script to install. You’ll need to do that with root privileges eg ‘sudo /path/to/install.sh’
Be aware that when you use the Canon proprietary drivers for scanning, you need to use the included ‘scangearmp’ for scanning, unlike when you’re using the open source pixma backend where you can use the normal Linux scanning utilities.
MX870 series ScanGear MP Ver. 1.50 for Linux (rpm Packagearchive)
MX870 series IJ Printer Driver Ver. 3.30 for Linux (rpm Packagearchive)
Does that look right? I downloaded them to a USB stick.
If I understand correctly, I now need to go to the computer with the MX870 printer/scanner, unpack the files, open a terminal as SU and run install.sh for the printer driver first. Then do the same for the Scangear. Then learn how to use ScanGear and the IJ printer.
Is that correct? What problems might I encounter? I really don’t want to crash my wife’s computer. She is new to Linux and still a skeptic.
Once you have the scanner drivers installed, you should be able to find ‘scangearmp’ in the menu somewhere or directly from a terminal. IIRC, it can also be launched via Gimp (assuming that is installed).
You may need to visit the CUPS web interface to complete the printer configuration. Are you connected to printer via USB or network? If via wireless network, you may want to drop the firewall while configuring.
You won’t crash the computer, but might need more assistance to get the printer and scanner working.
Well, depending on firewalls, it should be detected by the scanner driver, but good practice to be configure the printer with a static IP address (via front panel) first. Printer configuration is a little different, but again the installer should take care of it.
It looks like I have forgotten how to install the RPM package. It has been years since I used anything outside the openSuse repositories. Here is where I am:
I downloaded MX870 series ScanGear MP Ver. 1.50 for Linux (rpm Packagearchive) from Cannon, put it on a memory sitck and extracted it to a folder on my wife’s computer.
In the extracted files are two folders and a file named install.sh.
First, Thank you for NOT indulging my LAZY streak by giving me step-by-step RPM installation instructions. I needed to go back and review. Cool - the way you nudge me to do it.
I installed it from Yast and it shows in the Software Manager as installed. But …
I can’t find it any menu and search turns up empty. What should I do next?