Windows 98, a vinyl cutter & a Lexmark Z42 that won't work!!!

[nicforrest]

Hey everyone,
I'm having some issues with a Digital PC 3000 (not mine, I've already suggested an upgrade , it has a small vinyl cutter (sort of like a printer) attached to the parallel port (where the Lexmark Z42 used to be) and when I tried to install the (dual mode) Z42, it just won't detect. I've tried the printer on another machine, works fine. I've disconnected the cutter, still won't work. The USB ports work fine, there's a PDA on one of them, and works fine, with both. I've uninstalled, reinstalled etc, I've deleted the USB hub etc from the system, I've searched the net (second last resort (only to this ) & still haven't gotten any closer to a solution (other than using them one @ a time (meaning a reboot (on a DAMN slow machine ))!!!
I've been working with PCs for the last 10 years, so I have a fair idea, but obviously not enough of an idea... PLEASE HELP ME!?!
Cheers,
Nic

 

[kestrel1]

It could be down to a power problem. What size PSU does the compter have? If this is too small then the USB devices may not function correctly.

 

[nicforrest]

Hey kestrel,
That's what I thought originally, but then the printer's powered by AC anyway... It wouldn't need anymore power than a signal would it? Just for the record, it's a 250w, so there may be that possibility!!!
Cheers...
Nic

 

[kestrel1]

To try out the possible PSU problem, disconnect all non essential equipment IE: CD Rom drives, extra hard drives & even PCI cards that are not essential. In other words take your system down to the bare bones. Or if you have access to a larger PSU, stick that in. Essentially, with an AC powered appliance it should only need a small ammount of PSU power, but if the PSU is running at it's limit or is on the way out this can cause problems. It would suprise you the amount of PC's that I have looked at with a strange problem that was down to the PSU.
Of course this may not be the problem in your case, but it is worth a shot.

 

[nicforrest]

Right... Checked PSU, it was sweet as... I'm still working on it, but I have so many things going on at the mo... I have a feeling it's a USB config problem/conflict in Win98 (1st edition), so it's just a matter of keeping on trying I guess... Thanks anyway... If you come up with any more ideas, I'm all ears!!!
Cheers!