Lexmark z25 printer alignment needed on every boot

I haven't used a Lexmark, but I assume you installed according to Debian how-to's around, such as :

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-4252.html
http://linux.derkeiler.com/Mailing-Lists/Debian/2004-05/3355.html
http://www.belgeler.linux-sevenler.org/pdf/587.pdf

It seems this printer can also work with Cups and a Gimpprint driver, besides the Lexmark driver, so you have options. You could try re-installing the printer, or you could also have the alignment job run automatically when your computer starts up (have it run out of .kde/Autostart, for example). But there could be better fixes.

Thanks for replying.
I looked up those references and have same info of the site I followed - have forgotten where it is.
I've already installed it twice.
If there were a way of automatically running the job without actually printing that would do.
I downloaded gimpprint but am searching for some instructions on how to install it.

Well, I don't know, but might an executable script file like this in ~/.kde/Autostart do the trick?

cd ~/.kde/Autostart
nano z25align

#!/bin/bash
# align print heads on Lexmark Z25
/usr/lib/cups/backend/z35 utilities

chmod a+x z25align

For installing with gimpprint driver, I think you may be able to do that in Control Center, otherwise you can do it with the CUPS web browser interface:

1) apt-get install cupsys cupsys-driver-gimpprint cupsys-client
1) apt-get install kdelibs3-cups
2) Point web browser to http://localhost:631/
4) Set up printer there.

1. I eet up a shell and ran z25align ok to test - then realized I need to manually enter opton=a for align. So there isn't any improvement there.
Just to work with autostart:did put it in autostart - no-go. What is "nano"?
2. Found cupsys cupsys-driver-gimpprint cupsys-client in recently-updated synaptic.
Didn't find kdelibs3-cups but didn't pursue getting it until I understand both oof these:
2) Point web browser to http://localhost:631/
4) Set up printer there.

I have been setting up the printer using the Add Printer in KDE.
The only driver option for this printer, under Lexmark, I see is the z35 driver that I downloaded and installed.
While on subject of GIMP thought I'd try printing from there.
Cannot find a "print button" when selecting to print a picture.
On the bottom of print options screen, last items refer to scale/ppi/height. Perhaps screen isn't fitting? (another subject?)

nano is a text-only editor. Sorry, kdelibs3-cups doesn't seem to be used anymore, don't need it. http://localhost:631/admin is an alternative way of setting up printers, via a web interface. I'm not quite sure what Gimp-Print driver should be used with this printer, there seems to be 5 Lexmark Gimp-Print drivers.

As for printing in GIMP, it looks like the print dialog isn't fitting on the screen, as you said. You can press the Alt key and drag the dialog up with the mouse. Then you should see the Print button. Or you can try increasing your screen resolution.

The alt key -- how simple -- solves the Gimp print problem.
I tried to change resolution to 1280x1024 since monitor can handle it, using instructions in Mepis documentation wiki - but didnt work - now dont need it.
When istalling Z25 only one driver shows up when adding the driver - which is the one I installed.
The Z25 prints nicely - just wastes ink doing the align if I need to reboot after going to WinXP for some stuff.
I have access to an Epson 740 now which works too, and doesnt have this problem.
So I'll just live with this.
Thanks again for your help.

I only get the Gimp-Print driver options when adding a new printer using the http://localhost:631/admin interface. You could try to set up an alternative printer with a Gimp-Print driver and see how it works, can have multiple printers with different drivers assigned to the same physical printer.

To get 1280x1024, if it's not pre-configured, you need to add "1280x1024" to the Modes strings in the Display sub-sections of the Screen section of your X configuration file (either /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 or /etc/X11/xorg.conf). Then restart the X server (Ctrl-Alt-Backspace from within X). If that doesn't work, your X log in /var/log should show the reason.

So now I've learned a new way to add a printer --
The driver for z35 (used for z25) doesnt have an option for gimp-print.
I tried several of the other drivers which do; in the print manager the print jobs show as processing - just stall there.

Right, the Lexmark Gimp-Print drivers I've seen so far aren't specifically for the Z35 or Z25 models, but other Lemark models. It seems that Gimp-Print is now Gutenprint. You probably want to make sure you have the package foomatic-db-gutenprint installed.

I installed Gutenprint - no difference. What is that supposed to provide?
As I understand it, localhost-etc is just another way of installing and monitoring the printers. You just use the same installed drivers.

I found in a list of supported printers on a mepis site z25 is specifically not supported. Also, ESP specifically says no.

I appreciate learning some new stuff - thanks.

foomatic-db-gutenprint:
http://packages.debian.org/unstable/text/foomatic-db-gutenprint

Right, the localhost:631 web interface is another way of managing printers with CUPS.

The hardware entry on Mepislovers lists the Z25 as not supported because the driver is only packaged as an rpm, but it still can be installed on a Debian-type system, as you found out. But you have the alignment issue, which I'm not sure how to solve, unfortunately, though I suspect there's a solution because I haven't seen other people reporting it. I use an HP Photosmart 8150 and an old Deskjet 500C myself, on a desktop and a laptop, shared wirelessly, both work very well. I also have an old Canon Multipass C5500 that was not that well supported for printing in Linux and I now just use as a fax and copier. Lexmarks and Canons are not the best supported printers in Linux currently, unfortunately, though some will work fine.

Useful site: http://linuxprinting.org/