I would like to apologize for wasting time, with my unfocused post. I have been frustrated by printing problems, and have gotten lost in a maze trying just to find a thread... in vain. I started installing Arch Linux from scratch just to check whether my setup (Manjaro) is the problem. I don't think it is. My Manjaro system has become comfortable, with all necessary tools, like a well-worn pair of shoes, so it would take several days to just get back to that state, on Arch.
It looks like my post, which was, I fear, an unfocused diatribe, left the impression of a support request.
Here's my problem, in a nutshell: When I print many pages, more than, maybe 15, on my new(er) Epson printer, the job is interrupted, a few lines of fading text are printed, and t the job restarts automatically from the beginnng. This printer defaults to Reverse page ordering, so it starts again on the last page. This always happens, so, if I am not paying close attention, I was come back to see the output tray deep in pages, and the printer still working. Over and over. This problem could be hardware or software. I have two or three theories:
- Memory. Some kind of memory must be involved i printing a job in reverse order. Perhaps memory for this purpose has been exhausted. The Fax component has sufficient memory for 100 pages; the nature or amount of printer memory is unknown. This theory may be supported by the fact that each time a document restarts, it is at a SIMILAR, but not identical place and page.
- Wifi glitches. Perhaps the wifi burps, the job is interrupted, and falls of the deep end.
To test theory #1, in part, I intend to configure this printer to print in "normal" page order. Apparently this has been problematic for some others, as I have seen some lengthy instructions on how to set the options. Any of these?
- using the gui doesn't show these kinds of options
- using lpoptions, or lpadmn---which interesting do things differently
- MAYBE editing the ppd file. However, as it turns out there are multiple copies on the system, including one sequestered by CUPS.
- Printing from the command line with options
This should be simple, right? Specify the pages to be printed in "normal" (as opposed to "reverse") order.
I have attempted twice to post to Manjaro's forum.
I take the advice seriously, to do diligence when asking for advice. I can often fix a problem, given time. Ironically, some times the solution suggests itself to me after I have posted a help request! Often.
Thank you for the kindness of responding to my post. I don't suppose I have clarified much in this one.
Alan Davis