printer problem

On Jun 11, 4:45 pm, "zirath" <zirath_... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.
>
> We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
> under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.
>
> Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
> com1).
>
> I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
> problem.
>
> Help appreciated.

Parallel ports should not be set yo ECP. In my experience, ECP was to
be used for communicating with other parallel devie other than
printers and XP normally only allows printers on these.
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:%23pT0GUAzIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> zirath wrote:
>> We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.
>>
>> We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
>> under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.
>>
>> Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
>> com1).
>>
>> I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
>> problem.
>>
>> Help appreciated.
>
> Have you tried running Add Printer in Control Panel?
>

Yes. I've added it from the control panel and from the "printers and faxes"
on the start/settings menu and removed it and tried again. The printer is
not detected by xp as a plug and play - and I have to add it from the list.
It adds but gives an error when trying to print the test page.
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

zirath wrote:
> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:%23pT0GUAzIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> zirath wrote:
>>> We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.
>>>
>>> We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
>>> under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.
>>>
>>> Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
>>> com1).
>>>
>>> I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
>>> problem.
>>>
>>> Help appreciated.
>>
>> Have you tried running Add Printer in Control Panel?
>>
>
> Yes. I've added it from the control panel and from the "printers and
> faxes"
> on the start/settings menu and removed it and tried again. The printer is
> not detected by xp as a plug and play - and I have to add it from the
> list.
> It adds but gives an error when trying to print the test page.

So if you have it added already, and then go into Control Panel, System,
Hardware, Device Manager, you can't get it to search for a driver?
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

On Jun 12, 8:25 am, "JohnO" <johno@!NOOSPAM!heathkit.com> wrote:
> > However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
> > sentences. such as:
> > %!PS-Adobe-3.0
> > %%Title: Test Page
> > %%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
>
> > I finally unplugged the printer.
>
> Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
> the same time, then restart. Try again.
>
> By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking you
> don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
> InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
> PCL or at least not PS.
>
> -John O

This PS is indicating a PostScript driver which the 4L printer is not
able to do.
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:%23kULYYEzIHA.3968@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> zirath wrote:
>> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:%23pT0GUAzIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> zirath wrote:
>>>> We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.
>>>>
>>>> We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
>>>> under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.
>>>>
>>>> Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
>>>> com1).
>>>>
>>>> I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve
>>>> the
>>>> problem.
>>>>
>>>> Help appreciated.
>>>
>>> Have you tried running Add Printer in Control Panel?
>>>
>>
>> Yes. I've added it from the control panel and from the "printers and
>> faxes"
>> on the start/settings menu and removed it and tried again. The printer is
>> not detected by xp as a plug and play - and I have to add it from the
>> list.
>> It adds but gives an error when trying to print the test page.
>
> So if you have it added already, and then go into Control Panel, System,
> Hardware, Device Manager, you can't get it to search for a driver?
After quite alot of experimenting I tried changing the bios setting from
"auto" to "enable" on the parallel port. Windows xp then found the ecp port.

However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
sentences. such as:
%!PS-Adobe-3.0
%%Title: Test Page
%%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2

I finally unplugged the printer.
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

>
> However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
> sentences. such as:
> %!PS-Adobe-3.0
> %%Title: Test Page
> %%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
>
> I finally unplugged the printer.

Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
the same time, then restart. Try again.

By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking you
don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
PCL or at least not PS.

-John O
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

"smlunatick" <yveslec.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:642e21d9-cda8-45ce-ab88-f0ee12553c0e@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 12, 8:25 am, "JohnO" <johno@!NOOSPAM!heathkit.com> wrote:
> > However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
> > sentences. such as:
> > %!PS-Adobe-3.0
> > %%Title: Test Page
> > %%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
>
> > I finally unplugged the printer.
>
> Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
> the same time, then restart. Try again.
>
> By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking
> you
> don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
> InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
> PCL or at least not PS.
>
> -John O

This PS is indicating a PostScript driver which the 4L printer is not
able to do.
______________

I wondered about that....which means it's the wrong driver.

(and why don't certain posts I reply to get indented, and some do? I see
others have the same trouble.)

-John O
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem 

"JohnO" <johno@!NOOSPAM!heathkit.com> wrote in message
news:%23C9IXeIzIHA.2064@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >
>> However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
>> sentences. such as:
>> %!PS-Adobe-3.0
>> %%Title: Test Page
>> %%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
>>
>> I finally unplugged the printer.
>
> Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
> the same time, then restart. Try again.
>
> By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking
> you don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout
> with InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that
> says PCL or at least not PS.
>
> -John O

After a few more experiments, I changed the bios back to bi-directional and
the plug and play found the printer. It now functions ok. (Plug and play
didn't use the ps driver).
 >> Stay informed about: printer problem