How do I manually load firmware in OpenBSD?

[Shagbag]

I have an HP LaserJet 1018 that does not have persistent firmware. Instead, I must upload the firmware to the printer every time it is switched on. I have the firmware file ("sihp1018.dl") but I do not know how to load it to /dev/ulpt0 (the printer's device node).

In linux it would be a simple case of cat sihp1018.dl > /dev/ulpt0 but I cannot seem to do this in OpenBSD.

How do I manually load firmware in OpenBSD?

[Oko]

Do yourself a favor next time and get the printer which speaks Post Script language or at list Printer Command Language. For now try this


Reboot computer with the option

boot> -c
disable ulpt
quit

Your printer should be detected now by kernel as ugen device
Now try to upload your firmware as

# cat /usr/local/share/foo2zjs/firmware/sihp1018.dl > /dev/ugen0

Make sure you have correct permission on /dev/ugen and /dev/usb so that the CUPS
can access. The damn thing should work then.

[Shagbag]

Thanks for the advice. It appeared to send the firmware to /dev/ugen0 but when I printed, the job was sent to a black hole with no error messages. For some reason, I don't think the firmware is getting to the printer properly. If I unplug the printer and plug it into my Archlinux box the (linux) hotplug script works and I can actually hear the printer crank up from the firmware. I don't get this sound with OpenBSD.

I'm coming close to giving up on this and thinking about going with a less than optimal solution: load the firmware on the printer via Archlinux, then disconnect+connect the printer to my OpenBSD box and then just don't turn my printer off!

[ayourk]

Since you are using an HP printer, I'm going to suggest you consider using hplip from ports.