Swords and Software

How to set up an HP LaserJet 1018 Printer on Fedora 12

By Daniel D'Agostino, 2010-02-10

Introduction

On Fedora, setting up a printer is a bit more difficult than on Ubuntu. You have to carry out the following steps:

  1. Install HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) tools
  2. Install the driver for your printer
  3. Set the correct paper settings
  4. Disable extra security that stops print jobs

Installing HPLIP

Open a terminal: Applications -> System Tools -> Terminal

Run the following commands:

su
yum install hplip
yum install hplip-gui

Installing the printer driver

You should now be able to run the HP setup (hp-setup). First, connect the printer via USB and power it on. Run the following command in your terminal:

hp-setup

As you keep clicking Next, the printer is automatically added, and the driver is installed. In the last step, click Cancel (not Add Printer), since the printer is already there.

Set the correct paper settings

By default, the printer is set to print Letter-sized paper. You want it to be A4.

  1. Go to System -> Administration -> Printing to access your current printers.
  2. Right click on HP-LaserJet-1018
  3. Click on Properties
  4. Select Printer Options
  5. Change Media size from Letter to A4
  6. Click Apply

Disabling extra security to allow printing

Still in the printing properties for your printer, click on Settings and then click on the Print Test Page button.

A security alert comes up. Open it before it disappears, and click on Restore Context.

In the printing properties, go to Policies and make sure the Enabled checkbox is ticked. Click apply. Now the test page that failed earlier should come out on its own.