Before we start considering anything within YDL, we need to know how HP classified this printer. According to the information posted most recently the hp psc 750, has been replaced. If you enter hp psc 750 within any search field within the hp website you'll come to a page where Product quick links appears discussing the printer. Select Product Overview and you'll be brought to a page where HP recommends newer printers as replacements for the HP PSC 750. We are interested in how HP characterizes these printers so that we can evaluate where the original HP PSC 750 stands within the Linux/YDL environment. The most reliable option available is to contact the manufacturer via their Customer Service Department and inquire regarding the printer in question. Fortunately, HP provides an web-based email service which one can use to contact HP directly, not all companies provide such a service. In the event that one must rely upon available documents instead, attempt to access or download the printer's manual from the manufacturer or other information which could be available.
I queried HP regarding the HP PSC 750 and received a reply within one day and 4 hours (28 hrs). Considering that some other companies reply within a week, HP's response can be considered nearly instantaneous. The question was presented for consideration to their pre-sales personnel and was straightforward, I asked whether the HP PSC 750 was considered a Laserjet or a Deskjet. The response was detailed and explained that the printer was considered an inkjet printer of the All-in-One class of printers. It was not considered a member of either the Deskjet or Laserjet class of printers.
YDL utilizes the CUPS protocol, as do most Linux/Unix systems. The CUPS system within YDL is reached via one's browser. If the server's name has not been established then CUPS is accessed by typing within the URL: localhost:631. If the server name exists, suppose it is called galactica, then we type: galactica:631, There is no period after the 1, or any other character -- just press the Enter/Return key and one is brought to the CUPS environment available within YDL. To access CUPS functions you'll be asked for name and password. Enter name as root, and password as the same password for root utilized for your system.
If the computer is directly connected via usb the printer, then we will select the Printer or Admin tab and select Add New Printer. We then select any name for that printer. The printer's location will be: /usb/lp0. Don't follow 0 with a period, just tab to the next field. Description can be left blank. Select Continue. In the Device field select: USB Printer #1, Press Continue. Select Make: HP, then press Continue. Next select Model: HP New Deskjet Series. Please note that open source drivers for the All-in-One class are not yet available. Therefore choosing Deskjet drivers, as they are inkjets, is at least, the closest choice available. Press Continue and your printer has been added. Now select Printer Tab and the newly added printer should be recognized; one should see Printer state idle, accepting jobs. Next select button, Configure Printer. Make selections and functions as desired, when finished press any Continue button. To test that everything works regarding printing select the Printer tab and press the Print Test page. If everything prints well, then close the browser.
To cross check that everything is ok. Open the Printer Config. Utility within YDL and your settings created within CUPS should be visible here also. Settings can be modified here as well. You can also print a test page from within the print config utility, if you wish.
Recall that you are using open source drivers, not HP drivers designed for Windows or OS X. Printing should work fine but features such as scanning may be accessible not within CUPS but within a program known as Gimp which has facilities for Scanning applications and plug-ins similar in function to how Photoshop works, but not at all similar to Photoshop in menu structure.
In the event that the HP New Deskjet Series selection does not work for you (and other selections fail or are otherwise unsatisfactory; you may then need to develop a driver for your printer on your own, there is help for that located here:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/
Follow their directions regarding how to proceed and you should be ok. I had to do that for myself once, years ago; the experience was quite instructive and beneficial.
This howto was written by Derick Centeno, Terra Soft Solutions
