Hi Tim,
Thanks for the reply. - I have finally solved the problem. A description follows. And, yes, I have fought with Epson printers before as well. I found drivers for Linux that worked via the Epson website.
Solution:
I completely removed the existing hplip components using synaptic. Then I executed the 3.20.5 install script. (This turned out to have been unnecessary.) - sh hplip-3.20.5.run
On this machine, I have a direct ethernet connection and can activate a wifi connection as well. I did that. I was able to then connect to the wifi network that the printer offers. I could then see the laserjet printer and connect to it and configure it for use on this machine using the normal “printers” dialog/app inside UM.
On another machine, without a direct ethernet connection, I connected to the laserjet network and invoked https://192.168.223.1, which is the wifi direct address shown on the printout that is generated using a button on the printer itself. See the “mobile printing” section of the printer user guide. https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-m28-m31-printer-series/16647082/model/16647096/manuals
Then I navigated to the network/wirelessconfiguration page and set up coordination with the main network managed by my router. This resulted in the printer being available via an IP address on my main network. I could then connect to the main wireless network and connect to an use the printer. Hooray!!!!
Here is an example of the page used above after the printer was “joined” to the main network.
This makes it much easier to configure the printer on other machines. (Whew!)
So, in summary, here are the steps to getting the new n29w printer on your local network.
- Use the hplip facilities to configure the printer via a usb connection.
- Again, use hplip to configure it for wireless use. - The “wireless/wifi setup using usb” option
- use the printer’s touchpad to generate a report on its configuration. This will reveal the ip address to use to connect to the printer’s onboard config facilities. See the wifi direct part of the report.
- Use the onboard config UI to set up coordination with your local network. Using the “network” tab, use the “wireless configuration” page to do this.
- With the printer on the local network, use the “printers” app in UM to discover and configure the printer for use by all.
(BTW, to do any scanning with the M29w, I use Vusescan software from www.hamrick.com. This avoids problems configuring xsane access.)