Problems with USB-connected printer

[Geoffrey Leach]

Here is dmesg}tail from an unplug-plug of the USB cable

[20091.736439] usb 2-1.1: USB disconnect, device number 21
[20096.780904] usb 2-1.1: new full-speed USB device number 22 using ehci-pci
[20096.872367] usb 2-1.1: New USB device found, idVendor=050d, idProduct=0002
[20096.872375] usb 2-1.1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[20096.872379] usb 2-1.1: Product: IEEE-1284 Controller
[20096.872382] usb 2-1.1: Manufacturer: Belk USB Printing Support
[20096.878554] usblp 2-1.1:1.0: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 22 if 0 alt 1 proto 2 vid 0x050D pid 0x0002
[20098.008729] usblp0: removed
[20098.020422] usblp 2-1.1:1.0: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 22 if 0 alt 1 proto 2 vid 0x050D pid 0x0002
[20098.217202] usblp0: removed


You'll note that the USB device is a "controller" not the actual printer. The "controller" is a USB-parallel adapter to the printer, an HP LaserJet 1300.

Some data.

Printing is sporadic. Mostly the job just hangs, but sometimes it actually prints.

"Self test" (from Administration=>Print Settings) works, but "test Page" does not.

"cat foo | lpr" hangs.

All of this is from Fedora 19.  Under Fedora 17 printing often worked, but always worked if I plug-unplug the USB cable.

I'm puzzled by the last "usblp0: removed". It seems that this is consistent with the behavior, but I have no idea what it would happen.

Suggestions as how to proceed would be appreciated.