This is a howto for installing the Canon Pixma iP4200 printer using the Canon supplied drivers. Some or all parts may work for other Canon printers. For the iP4000, (and some others), see: ["HardwareSupportComponentsPrinters/PIXMA"]

Note: You will have to accept Canon's license agreement to download the software.

1. Connect your printer, and start Ubuntu.

2. Install the needed packages: alien, libxml1 and libpng3 with Synaptic or type: {{{sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install alien libxml1 libpng3}}}

3. Download the drivers for your printer from Canon. For the purposes of this howto, we will assume that the files are saved to the directory /home/yourname/canon. The iP4200 drivers are here: http://software.canon-europe.com/Printers/Bubble_Jet_Printers/PIXMA_iP420010232.asp or type in a terminal {{{cd canon wget http://software.canon-europe.com/files/soft24302/software/iP4200_Linux_260.tar.gz }}}

4. Extract the files with archive manager

5. Convert the RPM packages to Debian packages: {{{sudo alien cnijfilter-common-2.60-1.i386.rpm cnijfilter-ip4200-2.60-1.i386.rpm }}}

6. Install the packages:

dpkg -i *.deb

7. Make sure the library links are correct. /usr/lib/libtiff.so.3 should point to /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 (or to the same thing as /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 points to) If not, type: {{{sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 /usr/lib/libtiff.so.3 sudo ldconfig}}}

8. Restart cups: sudo /etc/init.d/cupsys restart

9. Add a new printer. Under GNOME, this is accessed in System|Preferences|Printing. Select Canon as the manufacturer, and select model "iP4200 Ver.2.60" Select "Standard" for the driver (this should be the only option). Make sure the connection is correct. Hopefully, printing a test page will work!

Advanced Features

Unfortunately, the installed PPD file doesn't allow you to select the printing quality. To fix this, back up your ppd file, then open it as root: {{{cp /usr/share/cups/model/canonip4200.ppd /home/canon/canonip4200.ppd sudo gedit /usr/share/cups/model/canonip4200}}}

Insert these lines in the file after the "Resolution" section:

*OpenUI *CNQuality/Quality: PickOne
*DefaultCNQuality: 3
*CNQuality 2/High: "2"
*CNQuality 3/Normal: "3"
*CNQuality 4/Standard: "4"
*CNQuality 5/Economy: "5"
*CloseUI: *CNQuality

After this, delete the printer and create a new one. This will make sure the modified PPD file is being used. You should now be able to set the printing quality in the "Advanced" tab of the printer properties window.

To perform maintenece on the printer, such as head cleaning, type in a terminal: cngpij -P ip4200

You may want to add this to your menu, since it is a real pain to remember. In the window that pops up, select "Maintenence".

CategoryHardware