SOLVED -- Need New HPLIP That's Not In Repositories

[Caitlin]

I just bought a new printer -- an HP Officejet 5740 to replace a printer that died -- but it needs HPLIP 3.14.10 or better. I use HPLIP 3.14.6 with Jessie; but nothing newer than that is available on the Jessie repositories.

There are newer versions of HPLIP on Sourceforge, but I have had dire warnings in the past about creating a "Frankendebian" -- a system with software from several different sources. I'm particularly concerned about having to install dozens of newer versions of libraries that I don't really need, causing other software to break.

Please, what is the safe way to proceed?

Caitlin

[edbarx]

jessie-backports has https://packages.debian.org/jessie-backports/hplip

[Caitlin]

Hi edbarx,

I followed the link and a newer HPLIP is definitely in there. But how do I get to it?

My repo list includes the line "http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports non-free contrib main" but the newer HPLIP doesn't show up in Synaptic. Do I have to change this repo line somehow? I tried "http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports non-free contrib main hplip" but that didn't work.

Any help would be appreciated.

Caitlin

[edbarx]

http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports non-free contrib main hplip

Should be:
deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian jessie-backports main contrib non-free

As root use nano to open /etc/apt/sources.list and add the line shown just above.

Then do an:
apt-get update

After that you should be able to install your package.

[Caitlin]

Hi edbarx,

I added the line you suggested, and when I updated, I got the following error messages:


"Could not download all repository indexes

The repository may no longer be available or could not be contacted because of network problems. If available an older version of the failed index will be used. Otherwise the repository will be ignored. Check your network connection and ensure the repository address in the preferences is correct.

Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 4/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 4/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 4/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 6/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 6/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Failed to fetch http://ftp.debian.org/debian/debian/dis ... 6/Packages 404 Not Found [IP: 2001:610b000::148:12 80]
Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead."


Are you sure "debian" is supposed to be doubled like that? (ftp.debian.org/debian/debian)

Regards,

Caitlin

[edbarx]

Are you sure "debian" is supposed to be doubled like that? (ftp.debian.org/debian/debian)

Sorry, that is a mistake on my part. Use ftp.debian.org/debian instead.

[Caitlin]

Oh dear. Now we're back to "deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports main contrib non-free" which is what I had originally.

Synaptic shows I have 3.14.6-1+b2 installed, that 3.14.6-1+b2 is the latest version, and if I select hplip, the mark for upgrade option is greyed out.

How can I make sure a newer hplip is really in the backports repository?

I reproduce my entire sources.list here:


"# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 8.2.0 _Jessie_ - Official amd64 DVD Binary-1 20150906-11:13]/ jessie contrib main

# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 8.2.0 _Jessie_ - Official amd64 DVD Binary-1 20150906-11:13]/ jessie main contrib

# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
deb http://security.debian.org/ jessie/updates contrib main
# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
# deb-src http://security.debian.org/ jessie/updates main contrib

# jessie-updates, previously known as 'volatile'
# A network mirror was not selected during install. The following entries
# are provided as examples, but you should amend them as appropriate
# for your mirror of choice.

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-updates non-free contrib main
# deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-updates main contrib

# jessie-backports, previously on backports.debian.org
# A network mirror was not selected during install. The following entries
# are provided as examples, but you should amend them as appropriate
# for your mirror of choice.

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports main contrib non-free
# deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports main contrib

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie non-free contrib main"


Sincerely,

Caitlin

[roseway]

If you want to use Synaptic, select hplip in Synaptic, then select Package --> Force Version. You'll get a popup window in which you can select different versions of the package (if they're available).

[stevepusser]

Explained here: https://backports.debian.org/Instructions/

Basically, they are pinned lower than Jessie packages, so they won't be automatic upgrades. You have to make a little bit of an effort to install them. You can also set Synaptic to prefer packages from jessie-backports, then everything in it would appear as upgrades, but upgrading everything is not advisable. Also you must remember to reset the preference back to the norm if you disable the jessie-backports repo, otherwise Synaptic will be broken and refuse to start.

[Caitlin]

Explained here: https://backports.debian.org/Instructions/

Install a package from backports

All backports are deactivated by default (i.e. the packages are pinned to 100 by using ButAutomaticUpgrades: yes in the Release files. If you want to install something from backports run:

apt-get -t jessie-backports install "package"

Basically, they are pinned lower than Jessie packages, so they won't be automatic upgrades. You have to make a little bit of an effort to install them.

Halleujah! It actually worked that time.

Not only was I able to upgrade of HPLIP, but when I tested the printer, an HP OJ 5740, I was actually able to print something.

Thank you all.

Caitlin

[stevepusser]

Great! Please edit the title of your first post and add "SOLVED" to help others with the same question. Thanks!