W98 Printer

[modorney]

I am trying to add a local printer to Windows 98 Second Ed. The printer and cable are fine (tested on another computer), and I removed the parallel port and all other printers from the W98 installation.

I can add teh printer, and associated ports, but when I print a test page, or anything else, nothing gets spooled (I bring up the queue to watch). It seems nothing gets as far as the queue.

TIA,
Mike

 

[teknikal]

Not sure if this will solve your problem, but make sure the printer isn't set for offline use:

- Start->Settings->Printers
- Right-Click the printer
- If you see a checkmark next to "Use Printer Offline", then left-click it to deselect it.

try printing again...

If that doesn't work, remove the printer software, then remove the printer port (LPT1) from device manager. Restart and reinstall the printer. Post back if necessary...

 

[butchrecon]

Are you loading the correct drivers? James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[modorney]

Yes, I tried removing the LPT from device manager, rebooting (every time), reinstaling, etc. Checking the printing offline stuff, got the right drivers, etc. I have a duplicate machine where everything works fine!

Thanks,Mike

 

[butchrecon]

Do you use the same CABLE on the duplicate machine? James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[reghakr]

Try hitting F2 or the Del key on startup to access the BIOS. Look for LPT and see if you can change it to EPP or ECP mode and/or make sure it's bi-directional.

reghakr

 

[Guest_imported]

I had a similar problem on saturday.
I needed a definative way to test if the parallel port was no longer good. I did not have a way. I downloaded a trial software called BurnIt but I still do not have any parallel loopback plugs.

Anyone have some ideas, ways, suggestions on dealing with bad parallel ports?

I tried everything to get this epson 880 to work and even Epson tech support suggested the port was bad..

 

[Vault]

Gee this one is really easy. Here's how to tell where your problem lies. First, since you're using Win98SE, boot to a DOS prompt or if you're already in Win98SE, Shutdown and Restart in MS-DOS mode. Once there, at the DOS prompt, type in
dir > LPT1: and press Enter. At this point, one of two things will happen. You'll either get a directory listing printed out or nothing will happen. If you get a dir listing printed out, the problem lies within Windows. If nothing happens, then you have either a bad cable, a bad printer port, or a bad printer. Assuming that this does work, the problem is then something within Windows. At this point, restart Win98SE and try the same thing from a DOS window (Start, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt). Just keep tracking it down and you'll find it. Good luck and let us know.

 

[modorney]

I brought up a dos prompt within W98 and typed
dir > lpt1 [directory, redirected to lpt1]

Sure enough, I got a printed directory listing. So printer, cable, port. etc. are OK.

Within W98, I bring up the queue for the printer (double click on the printer, itself) and try launching pages to the printer. Nothing appears in the queue. The print job just isn't getting queued up, within Win 98

 

[paulwood]

Check there are no spl (I think that's the extension) in C:\WINDOWS\spool\PRINTERS if there is then delete them and try again.

 

[butchrecon]

Is the printer you wanting to print to the only one listed in the Printers folder? Is it set as default? James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[butchrecon]

How is the spool setting setup in the printer properties? James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.