Printing from Linux?

The only semi-working printer in my house right now is an old HP LaserJet 5L. I've got it hooked up to the Linux machine in what passes for my home office (plugged into what would be LPT1: on a Windows machine), but I have yet to even begin to get it configured correctly. I've been to LinuxPrinting.org, and have only succeeded in getting confused. I've used the printer configuration utility (printtool), but the OS doesn't auto-detect my printer. Can anyone give me advice or point me to a site that will show me how to get this guy printing using hand-holding baby steps? Thanks in advance!

Beast,

Which Linux distribution are you using? Does it have CUPS installed? There appears to be several drivers available for that printer.

With Linux Mandrake 9, it automatically detected my USB Epson Stylus Color 880 and autoconfigured everything.

I'm on Red Hat 7.3; CUPS is installed but not running--lpd is the default printer method, and I haven't met with any luck stopping the service (yes I was logged into the console as root).

Beast,
Have you tried using the lpr commands to test and see if you are comminicating at all?

Beast,

I highly suggest trying to get CUPS running. I have no experience with RH7.3 (I'm still a Linux newbie and my experience is 100% Mandrake specific). You may try posting on alt.os.linux to see if anyone has any advice.

DD, I haven't tried actually printing anything yet. I'll give that a shot as soon as I finish watching the Giants game. ;)

Hy, I'm going to try actually opening a session as root (as opposed to simply opening the root console) and see if I can shut off the LPD service and make CUPS my default.

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

No problem Beast! :)
Here is some suggestions my buddy ListerD recommended you try.
He is da Man when it comes to Linux:

First - make sure that the LPT port is enabled in the BIOS.

Setup the printer with printtool. Pick a LaserJet III, set it to lp instead of lpr and try a test print.

I've never seen an older printer *not* work under Linux. Especially RH.
Let me know how that works out.... ;)