CUPS printer database out of date - howto upgrade?

fopetesl

I am running Ubuntu 5.10 which I am very happy with Smile

However am getting problems with CUPS printer database getting out of date and cannot install modern printers without compiling each driver... not easy since a lot of the time there is no Internet connection. Sad

Is there an easy(?) way to update CUPS printer database?

JP · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 3:04 am Post subject:

I've seen this same type of question on other forums by Googling - Freespire - Cannon, Ubuntu - HP, Mepis - HP ---- What kind of printer do you have? That would help if someone comes along with an answer for you. They might be able to link you to something that will fit the bill Wink

.

You might also look thru the Ubuntu Backports and see if there is a CUPS update link there, although they only seem to go back to 6.06, but maybe mr.ed (one of the LUG Ubuntu guru's) can help you figure out how to take one of the newer ones and adapt it to your 5.10 Question

.

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fopetesl · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 8:11 am Post subject: To clarify

Thanks, JP. I perhaps haven't stated the problem clearly enough. I install a machine in, say, the Montana backwoods with no Internet to speak of. Two years later the installed printer blows up. I toddle off out there to find a new printer has been purchased which is not in the current CUPS printer database. Shocked

So my only option is to travel 150 miles to the nearest Internet cafe and hopefully find a ppd which suits the new printer. Then return to the machine and attempt to get the printer up and running.
Yes. Can be done but it's a lot of pain.
An updated CUPS printer database would most likely get around this.
Shame Sad

to say that most printer manufacturers still only supply Windo$s drivers.

mr_ed · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 2:54 pm Post subject:

Wow. I know for sure that Breezy (5.10) isn't supported anymore. That's why the printer database isn't that easy to update... Dapper is supported, though (that's the Long Term Support edition), and it's supported up to 2025.

I wonder if you could grab the .deb file from Dapper? That may (should?) work, but it may mess something up!
I don't suppose you have a test box, do you? Wink

And I can't think of any way off the top of my head how to do that without installing Dapper. Any Debianites know how to do that? Masinick?

If you're at the Breezy box, you could change the /etc/apt/sources.list file to Dapper sources, do an update, apt-get install cups and cups-ppd or whatever, and then change the /etc/apt/sources.list back to breezy, but there has got to be an easier way than that!

BTW, I saw your post here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.html?t=604398&highlight=cups+database+update

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masinick · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 3:08 pm Post subject: Point to a more current release

masinick · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 3:20 pm Post subject: Scenarios to consider

Worst possible case in the upgrade scenario is to upgrade sequentially to each major release. As long as their are no major X.org changes or anything else that requires an infrastructure or serious configuration change, though they would not tell you, it may be possible to jump versions.

If you can afford to try (and have something to use as a backup) I tend to like trying things like this and stretch what is "officially supported" compared to what you can "get" to work. I jumped from Debian Etch (stable 4.0 release) to Debian Sid (bleeding edge test version), then I added Sidux repositories on top of that. It worked incredibly well.

If it were me, I'd go for it. I cannot speak for you, though. Make sure you have alternatives available - as I do. I like to try crazy things to see what happens. I'd give it an 80% chance of working, with 20% chance of having to tweak something to get it right. If that is acceptable, give it a try. If not, then as an alternative upgrade to the next major release, see if it gets you what you want, and if not, update until you have the newest version in incremental stages. Backup anything you care about so you can go backward if you are not satisfied with the result. Don't back up anything if you love living on the edge and can live with whatever result you get! I do both, depending on what my objective is, but I always have other alternatives available for those times when I invent a disaster! Wink

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mr_ed · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 3:22 pm Post subject:

Yeah, if at all possible, I would recommend upgrading to Dapper (6.06 LTS). I have Dapper CDs that I could mail you if you need.

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fopetesl · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2025 4:07 pm Post subject: Sounds nice, but ...

Thanks guys but I most probably won't have the facilities, (or the time), to follow your suggestions on site.
With most likely no broadband and no CD, (I use USB sticks), upgrading the whole OS on site is a no, no.
Possibly upgrading the printer database would be much simpler and something I could carry around on a Flash Memory stick.
But howto? Confused

mr_ed · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2025 2:42 pm Post subject:

I have the Gutsy cups db at home... I could send it to you if I don't fall asleep immediately after my kids go to bed again.

_________________
Desktop: Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon"
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fopetesl · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2025 4:23 pm Post subject:

fopetesl · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2025 10:40 am Post subject: BUMP! Still no resolution :(

Still haven't found an (easy) answer Sad

I guess mr_ed is emulating Rip van Winkle Smile

Anyone got any other ideas? Confused

After yet more googling it may be that I need to update the foomatic-db only.
Can anyone clarify this?

mr_ed · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2025 1:57 pm Post subject:

I guess you didn't get it? I'm 95% sure that I sent it to you.

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fopetesl · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2025 2:06 pm Post subject:

mmmna · . . . . Joined: 21 Apr 2025 Posts: 7224

I know you've said this area had no internet to speak of, is there any chance there is cellphone tower nearby? Just a thought, since some cellphones can act as a modem for high speed access through your cell service provider. Also, is there no telephone service, for a lowly 56k session? I paid $8.95 a month for my last dialup provider, and the difficulty seems to warrant a mild expense like dialup, since you'd spend 10 times that much for a 150 mile trip to a cafe. Saving 2 x 150 mile trips @ 20 mpg pays for 5 months of dialup.

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fopetesl · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2025 8:08 am Post subject: Dial Up?

Thanks, mmmna. Not even that simple.
The example I gave was only typical of many similar machines dotted all over the place.
But I'll give your cell phone idea some thought. Idea

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