Random printer driver corruption???

[Vachaun22]

Hello all,

We have a Windows 2000 Server with all our printers installed and shared on it. The server never has a problem with the printers (first and foremost).

The issue:

Some of our client PC's (all clients running Windows XP Pro SP2) seem to be randomly having printer driver corruption, with no error logs, and no malware or viruses (after having checked this).

All printers are installed on the client by a logon script that creates a network printer connection (only if the printer was not installed previously). We have 2 printers that are not HP printers, and they have yet to have a problem with these printers. The only printers that are affected are HP printers (LJ4200, LJ4100, LJ1320 models).

All the users having problems are using an application built with Java and running the JRE 1.4.13 environment (the software is not certified to run with the newest JRE).

No errors are thrown anywhere in the error log, and the Java based app simply closes completely without any message. Also, the odd thing is, is even after the Java app quits working, sometimes Windows based apps will continue to function properly with the printers.

Anyone have any suggestions of where to attempt to start troubleshooting since there are no traces of the problem anywhere?

 

[Stevehewitt]

The problem with nearly all printer issues is drivers. Try various versions of the drivers from HP.

However if it's just the Java app that has the issue, i'd try there first.




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[w33mhz]

I suggest that you try HP 2100 driver first. It seems to work with a large % of laser printers even non-hp printers.

 

[Vachaun22]

Unfortunately I can't do anything with the Java app as I'm not the developer for it, and anything I turn in to the company as a bug, if they look at it then we get charged for their time.

The server that distributes the drivers does not have any problems, and since the printers are only installed when they don't exist, the drivers aren't continuously getting reinstalled.

Also, it's not always a problem with the printer, as non-java based apps (ie. notepad, word, etc) have no problem printing. I'm just going to chalk it up as being an issue with Java as I've read a lot of other posts from people that have random issues with HP printers and Java. Thanks anyway.