Can Linux host use a USB printer connected to WinXP guest?

moon · Post by **moon** » 26. Jan 2009, 01:50

The host is Ubuntu Hardy. The printer is a Cannon PIXMA MP960 which only comes with Windows drivers and there are no Linux drivers available for this printer (the last time I checked). At this time I am only using the WinXP VM to do print jobs from the Linux host. When I want to print something in the Linux host, I print to a 'PDF' printer and save the file to a shared folder, then go to the WinXP guest and open a PDF reader and print the file.

This is working fine but I am wondering if there is a way to set up a network between the guest and host so that the host can directly use the printer that is connected to the guest? i.e. it would be nice if the guest printer could show up on the host printer list so that I can print directly from the Linux application. Also I don't want the WinXP guest to be connected to the internet at any time.

I searched the forums but most users want to connect a guest VM to a host printer but I want to do it the other way around.

Sincere thanks,
Bill

http://www.virtualbox.de/wiki/User_FAQ · Post by **stefan.becker** » 26. Jan 2009, 20:16

ftp://download.canon.jp/pub/driver/bj/linux/

http://www.turboprint.info/printers.html

http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_print ... IXMA_MP960

Dont use crappy solutions, if the hardware works on the host.

moon · Post by **moon** » 27. Jan 2009, 00:04

Thanks very much for the response.

The first link doesn't seem to provide any info for my printer but I will try to look into it further.

I've seen the second link before (Turboprint) but unless I'm missing something this is a 30 day trial download. $40 U.S. seems like a lot to pay for a printer driver.

I've seen the third link also but if you read the fine print, they are suggesting to use a driver for another printer (a Canon iP6700). I've tried this and it is ok for text but not satisfactory for graphics.

So, I think I am still in the situation of not having a Linux printer driver and am curious to know if there might be a network solution as I described in the original post.

Thanks again,
Bill

aydun · Post by **aydun** » 27. Jan 2009, 21:06

See http://www.dragonblogger.com/2008/07/ub ... t-printer/

1) Install the printer as normal in Windows guest - sounds like you already have this working.

2) Then use redmon, ghostscript, gsview to create a postscript printer in the guest that prints to your actual windows printer. See url for details

3) Share the printer in the guest.

4) From the Ubuntu host, setup a network printer (windows printer via Samba) and select the shared printer from the guest.

To your original question re networking, mine is configured with Host Interface networking for simplicity. NAT with port-forwarding might work, but I haven't tried it.

If you don't want the guest to access the internet, you could use a firewall on the host - see eg http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=13606

But once you've done all that, you might wish you had just bought a new printer with decent Linux support instead!

Hope that helps

http://www.virtualbox.de/wiki/User_FAQ · Post by **stefan.becker** » 27. Jan 2009, 21:41

Turboprint is the best driver. All other solutions instead of a linux driver are crappy by default.

jerkface · Post by **jerkface** » 28. Jan 2009, 04:21

Dude, I was wondering the same thing. I have a Pixma MP 530 and there is no linux driver. Turbo Print ain't free.

http://www.virtualbox.de/wiki/User_FAQ · Post by **stefan.becker** » 28. Jan 2009, 20:28

So what?

Software must not be free to be good ...

Im using the package for many years with many different printers. There is no better solution with that print quality and functions like inklevel, cleaning functions etc.

But you can use it after the 30 days, but then on every page there is a logo.

moon · Post by **moon** » 28. Jan 2009, 20:37

Hey Aydun, thanks a lot. I knew somebody would come through! That looks like it will do the job.

But once you've done all that, you might wish you had just bought a new printer with decent Linux support instead!

Ha ha. Good point! This will be a good learning experience.

Thanks again,
Bill

jerkface · Post by **jerkface** » 29. Jan 2009, 02:25

stefan.becker wrote:Software must not be free to be good ...

Dude, who pays for print drivers. If that's the state of things, where you HAVE to pay for decent print drivers, Linux is screwed.

Post by **Sasquatch** » 31. Jan 2009, 01:37

If the printer manufacturer doesn't support Linux, it plain sucks. Buy a different make.

moon · Post by **moon** » 1. Feb 2009, 22:10

Thanks for the sage advice Sasquatch, but

1.) When I bought the printer it was not for use in a linux machine and

2.) It is otherwise a pretty nice printer/scanner

so unless you are going to be sending me a check for a few hundred dollars to buy a new one, this printer will have to do for the foreseeable future.

Regards,
Bill

http://www.virtualbox.de/wiki/User_FAQ · Post by **stefan.becker** » 1. Feb 2009, 22:21

This is not a VBOX Problem.

Write this to the manufacturer of your printer.

moon · Post by **moon** » 1. Feb 2009, 22:55

This is not a VBOX Problem.

moon · Post by **moon** » 1. Feb 2009, 22:58

This is not a VBox Problem.

No, this is not a VBox problem at all but VBox offers a nice solution as aydun described in his constructive post above.

Citral · Post by **Citral** » 13. Jun 2009, 18:50

4) From the Ubuntu host, setup a network printer (windows printer via Samba) and select the shared printer from the guest.

How do I find the guest printer from the CUPS interface of the host? Via some SAMBA name of the VirtualBox instance?

Can Linux host use a USB printer connected to WinXP guest?

Can Linux host use a USB printer connected to WinXP guest?

Re: Can Linux host use a USB printer connected to WinXP guest?