HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT PRINTER
PROBLEMS
Last updated: 3/3/05
COMPUTER
20. Is the printer port configured correctly
in your computer's BIOS Setup? Try the various printer modes
in your computer's CMOS Setup. ECP+EPP usually works with bi-directional
printers, but others may fix the problem.
21. Is the correct printer cable/header assembly
installed and is it plugged-in right? I have seen cases where
a baby AT motherboard was upgraded, but the printer cable/header assembly
from the old motherboard was used and caused problems, but that is very
rare. Also, the cable connecting to the motherboard could be backwards
or loose.
DOS
22. Does it print from the DOS prompt? Try
F8 (F8 or hold the Ctrl Key for Win 98) just as Windows starts to boot,
select the DOS prompt from the resulting menu, find a non-zero length text
file (one that is 1-2K would be a good choice) (e.g., autoexec.bat or something
ending in .txt), and print from DOS with:
C:\>type autoexec.bat>lpt1:
or
C:\>type filename.txt>LPT1:
Click Cancel, turn the printer off, unplug the printer
cable, wait a few seconds, reconnect the cable, make sure the printer is
on with no error lights, restart Windows, and try again.’ Try the
various printer modes in your computer's CMOS Setup. ECP+EPP usually works
with bi-directional printers, but others may fix the problem. Try F8 just
as Windows starts to boot, select the DOS prompt from the resulting menu,
find a non-zero length text file (one that is 1-2K would be a good choice)
(e.g., autoexec.bat or something ending in .txt), and print from DOS with:
C:\>type autoexec.bat>lpt1:
or
C:\>type filename.txt>LPT1:
If that works consistently, the problem is probably in Windows.
WINDOWS
23. Is it set-up properly? Be sure
Windows is set-up correctly with the correct printer driver and something
else (another printer, FAX, etc.) is not assigned LPT1: Be sure the printer
is set as the default Windows printer. Try it on another desktop computer.
If that works, try another printer on the suspect computer. Uninstalling
and reinstalling the printer often fixes problems. Get rid
of duplicate printers.
24. Does it have a stuck print queue? Start>Settings>Printers>double
click the printer> Printer>Purge Print Documents
25. Have you used Windows Help to solve the
problem? Start>Help>Contents>Troubleshooting>Windows
98 Troubleshooters>Print.
Brian writes: The troubleshooters in win 98 no longer function bacause of updates for security.to use the troubleshooters now you must reinstall TSHOOT.INF and then remove the registry the key {4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF} at [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility.
Then once one is done with the troubleshooters, reinstall the latest update for internet explorer 6. |
One should backup the Windows registry before making any chnges to it. Look in regedit help for the procedure... start, run, enter regedit.
26. Have you used Microsoft's Knowledge Base? Start
with: Q128345
Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Windows 95/98
27. Visit our Forums.
Larry
< Back to the First Page
|
