Install and Setup a Parallel-Port Scanner in Debian GNU/Linux


1) Make sure parallelport supports EPP or EPP+ECP mode.
This mode is not supported by some laptops (e.g. Dell Inspiron 510M)

2) Install package "saneprimax-1.1.beta1" Sane driver for the Primax Colorado 300

3) As user and as root, try "primax_scan -l on" and  "primax_scan -l on".
This will turn the scanners lamp (inside scanning lamp) on and off.
If a error message comes up, make sure the "/dev/parport0" exists with the proper rights.
As user, you have to be in the group "lp".

3) To get support in Sane/XSane activate the "net" and "primax" device support in sane (used by the primax driver) by doing
- in /etc/sane.d/dll.conf: add "primax" to the end of the file
- in /etc/sane.d/net.conf: activate/uncomment "localhost"
- in /etc/sane.d/saned.conf: add "localhost" to the end of the file

4) After starting up "XSane" warm up the lamp (turn on lamp) 2 minutes before starting the scanning/preview operation, otherwise the calibration will fail and the scanner gets wrong colors.