Recently I purchased Ricoh SP 200 printer from flipkart (link). To my utter dismay I realised that this printer is only compatible with windows, and will not work with Linux. I tried various printer drivers available on my ubuntu 14.04
hoping that at least one will work. Being a Linux guy there was no way I was going to use windows as my main OS, Dual boot certainly was an option, but it required disruption of work every time a printout had to be taken. This was the reason that my brand new printer was lying idle for past 3 months, until today when I stumbled across two posts.
System configuration
I have Ubuntu 14.04 running as my main OS, and windows 7 ultimate x64 running in virtual box. Windows 7 has guest additions installed. The printer was connected to USB 2.0 port of my laptop.
STEP 1
In your Linux installation, add the user you use to log into Ubuntu to vboxusers group. This can be done from command line or by using "users-admin" uti
In your windows VM settings enable USB 2.0 EHCI. This will require virtualbox extension pack.
Run windows 7 VM. Make sure the printer is disconnected right now.
Download the driver from Ricoh's website (link), and install it.
During installation, there will be a point when the installation will pause for detecting the printer. At that time connect the printer to the VM by selecting it from devices menu (Devices->USB devices->RICOH SP 200).
The installation will now detect the printer, and will then finish.
Make sure the printer is working correctly by printing a page from the VM.
Done!!
hoping that at least one will work. Being a Linux guy there was no way I was going to use windows as my main OS, Dual boot certainly was an option, but it required disruption of work every time a printout had to be taken. This was the reason that my brand new printer was lying idle for past 3 months, until today when I stumbled across two posts.
- http://askubuntu.com/a/98838 ,and
- http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/251473-adding-usb-port-windows-7-inside-virtualbox.html
System configuration
I have Ubuntu 14.04 running as my main OS, and windows 7 ultimate x64 running in virtual box. Windows 7 has guest additions installed. The printer was connected to USB 2.0 port of my laptop.
STEP 1
In your Linux installation, add the user you use to log into Ubuntu to vboxusers group. This can be done from command line or by using "users-admin" uti
- Install gnome system tools : sudo apt-get install gnome-system-tools
- Launch "users-admin" from console or search for "users and groups" in Dash.
- In the window that appears click on manage groups.
- Now a new window would have opened, showing the groups available on the system. scroll down to vboxusers, and click properties.
- In the group members dialog that would be showing now, select your user name.
- click OK, enter password if prompted for, close all the dialog boxes.
In your windows VM settings enable USB 2.0 EHCI. This will require virtualbox extension pack.
- Install virtualbox extension pack (link).
- Go to settings os windows 7 VM -> USB
- Make sure Enable USB controller is selected
- select Enable USB 2.0 EHCI controller.
- Ensure that virtualbox is showing no warnings. In my case it was showing a warning as the extension pack was missing, which i subsequently installed.
- click ok.
- close all dialog boxes.
Run windows 7 VM. Make sure the printer is disconnected right now.
Download the driver from Ricoh's website (link), and install it.
During installation, there will be a point when the installation will pause for detecting the printer. At that time connect the printer to the VM by selecting it from devices menu (Devices->USB devices->RICOH SP 200).
The installation will now detect the printer, and will then finish.
Make sure the printer is working correctly by printing a page from the VM.
Done!!
