HP LJ2100TN printing garbage 1

[heresahandle]

I have a HP LaserJet 2100tn that keeps printing out all that garbage you're probably used to hearing about. The computer was just moved in the office and this is the first time installing this printer on this particular machine.

Here's what I did...

1. Reinstalled PCL 6 and PCL 5e drivers. They're the only drivers available from HP. That didn't work.
2. Disconnected the power supply to the printer, hoping it would clear the queue. That didn't work either.

I'm not really sure where to go next. It's connected to a Belkin Compact Autoswitch print hub that requires no software to run. The problem machine is running Windows XP(most likely Home Edition)...but there's a laptop with the same OS that can print to it just fine. so I know it's not the printer.

I was under the impression that reinstalling the drivers, clearing the queue, or making sure the cable isn't loose are the most likely causes for this sort of thing.

anything else you'd need to know?

 

[netmanrick]

Bypass the Elkin switch anr try printing.Is this using parallel printer interface? If so,rember there IS a distance constraint on the port.

Rick Harris
SC Dept of Motor Vehicles
Network Operations

 

[heresahandle]

that was going to be my next step. the thing is that there's also a laptop connected to the hub that works just fine.

I know the cable lengths aren't an issue. It's using a parallel interface which has a limit of 15 feet or so. I'm sure the cables aren't that long.

I'll post the results here tomorrow or monday.

 

[bluegroper]

Try also reinstalling windoZe xp on the machine thats not working properly.

 

[pcrepair]

try printing with generic HP 4 or HP II windows driver...also try printing something in DOS - if that works that will confirm that printer is working ok and that it is most likely a driver issue.

 

[gbaughma]

Good answer, pcrepair....

Try these steps:

1) Try printing from DOS. Easiest way is to boot off of a floppy, and do something like DIR > LPT1:

2) Try frogging the cables (plug the one from the laptop into the XP machine). You may have a bad data line in the cable.

3) The fact that the laptop works and prints fine, but the other doesn't indicates that the printer is OK, it is most likely a bad cable or a bad Windows driver.

--Greg

 

[heresahandle]

haven't tried printing from dos, but I have tried switching the cables and printing without the hub. it's not the cable, but more like a compatibility thing with the desktop machine.

it prints directly to the printer without the hub, but not when I switch ports on the hub(there are only 2 ports). Belkin (maker of the hub) says there's no software/drivers to use...it should just work after you hook it up.

I just set them up with a simple network...two machines, one router, sharing printer over the network. althought it's not actually done yet, I'm sure it'll work out.

but if anybody else comes up with an answer that might help anyone else, I'm still pretty curious as to what the problem was

you guys are always very helpful on this site. thanks again.