"SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and until
>>>>>> yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have DSL).
>>>>>> The repairman said the line between the alley and my house had to be
>>>>>> replaced.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem fine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click on
>>>>> it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing in
>>>>> queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>> queue?
>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>> --
>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>
>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>
>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>> set to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command line,
>>>> but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue and
>>>> stayed there.
>>>>
>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and plugged
>>>> it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>
>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>
>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel above)
>>>> is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently connected)
>>>> directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to buy a
>>>> parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do that, I can
>>>> probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop computer to
>>>> see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>
>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>
>>>
>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>
>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or the
>>> PC.
>>>
>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the motherboard,
>>> you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to hook the printer
>>> to:
>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>
>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>> --
>>> SC Tom
>>>
>>
>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last legs
>> (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and I've had
>> trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair before I could
>> image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one ready to install
>> once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning to think I'd better
>> look into a new computer instead if indeed the printer port has gone. I
>> have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but I'm more comfortable with a
>> desktop for my real work.
>>
>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>> parallel/USB cable?
>>
>> Thank you very much!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well enough for
> what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
> --
> SC Tom
>

Hi, again, SC Tom,

Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged it into
the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the USB connector
into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing device" followed by
"Your new hardware is installed and ready to use." However, no printer
showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control Panel and found nothing
but the network printer I had used before. I tried to print, but nothing
happened.

I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard website,
picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer Port. I tried to
print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the usual error message and
had to manually cancel the print job.

Does this sound like the printer is the problem?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

"Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i3f364$n5q$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "pjp" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:xVD6o.10720$Z6.6765@edtnps82...
>>
>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and until
>>>>>> yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have DSL).
>>>>>> The repairman said the line between the alley and my house had to be
>>>>>> replaced.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem fine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click on
>>>>> it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing in
>>>>> queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>> queue?
>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>> --
>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>
>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>
>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>> set to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command line,
>>>> but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue and
>>>> stayed there.
>>>>
>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and plugged
>>>> it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>
>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>
>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel above)
>>>> is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently connected)
>>>> directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to buy a
>>>> parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do that, I can
>>>> probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop computer to
>>>> see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>
>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>
>>>
>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>
>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or the
>>> PC.
>>>
>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the motherboard,
>>> you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to hook the printer
>>> to:
>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>
>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>> --
>>> SC Tom
>>>
>>
>> I'll add, if you can buy that convertor cable locally, can't you just
>> take the printer in and ask them to do a quick check of it? Given you
>> mentioned you replaced cable and still a no-go, personally at that time
>> I'd be cutting my loss and not waste more time. Note - at $40 for a
>> convertor cable you can pretty much buy a new printer can't you?
>>
> The converter cable would come from Best Buy; I wouldn't want them to look
> at the computer. The only place in town where I'd take the printer to get
> it checked is a real repair shop, and they're asking $49 just to look at
> it. If I think I can get by for a few more days, a friend with such a
> cable will be visiting and can bring it. But if it's the computer's
> parallel port, that's a strong indication that I should get a new
> computer: The hard drive is failing, the CD-RW drive is sticking
> closed--and if the port is bad, what next?
>
> AND I want a good quality business-level printer, which will cost big
> bucks, I'm sure--and require some research first.
>

Then go with a new color laser and forget inkjets entirely. Only reason
there's still one in this house (and 2 color lasers) is because they still
want really big bucks to include the fax option and so the inkjet is more a
fax/scanner/copier than used as a pc printer.

Oh, and I'm not sure it makes sense to think long term and pay big bucks for
a printer. Maybe if you're publishing something etc. but if it only lasts a
year at $50 then you can have six each newer with likely better/more
features (and supported drivers etc.) than the previous in same time frame
as something originally $300.


> Jo-Anne
>

"Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i3fich$ec7$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and until
>>>>>>> yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have
>>>>>>> DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my house had
>>>>>>> to be replaced.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem fine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click on
>>>>>> it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing
>>>>>> in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>>> queue?
>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>
>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>
>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>>> set to do so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command line,
>>>>> but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue and
>>>>> stayed there.
>>>>>
>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>
>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>
>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to buy
>>>>> a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do that, I
>>>>> can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop computer
>>>>> to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>
>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or the
>>>> PC.
>>>>
>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the motherboard,
>>>> you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to hook the printer
>>>> to:
>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>
>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>>> --
>>>> SC Tom
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last legs
>>> (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and I've had
>>> trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair before I
>>> could image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one ready to
>>> install once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning to think I'd
>>> better look into a new computer instead if indeed the printer port has
>>> gone. I have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but I'm more comfortable
>>> with a desktop for my real work.
>>>
>>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>>> parallel/USB cable?
>>>
>>> Thank you very much!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>
>> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
>> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well enough
>> for what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
>> --
>> SC Tom
>>
>
> Hi, again, SC Tom,
>
> Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged it
> into the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the USB
> connector into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing device"
> followed by "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use." However, no
> printer showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control Panel and found
> nothing but the network printer I had used before. I tried to print, but
> nothing happened.
>
> I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard website,
> picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer Port. I tried to
> print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the usual error message and
> had to manually cancel the print job.
>
> Does this sound like the printer is the problem?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne
>
Sounding more and more like it's the printer. Did you try it on both
computers, or just the laptop? Who knows, you may have luck with your
desktop. Generally, on a USB HP printer, the drivers are supposed to be
installed before the printer is even hooked up.
--
SC Tom

"SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:YjK6o.58773$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:i3fich$ec7$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and
>>>>>>>> until yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have
>>>>>>>> DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my house
>>>>>>>> had to be replaced.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem
>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click
>>>>>>> on it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing
>>>>>>> in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>>>> queue?
>>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>>>> set to do so.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command
>>>>>> line, but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue
>>>>>> and stayed there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to
>>>>>> buy a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do
>>>>>> that, I can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop
>>>>>> computer to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>
>>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or
>>>>> the PC.
>>>>>
>>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the
>>>>> motherboard, you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to
>>>>> hook the printer to:
>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>
>>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>>>> --
>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last legs
>>>> (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and I've had
>>>> trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair before I
>>>> could image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one ready to
>>>> install once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning to think
>>>> I'd better look into a new computer instead if indeed the printer port
>>>> has gone. I have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but I'm more
>>>> comfortable with a desktop for my real work.
>>>>
>>>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>>>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>>>> parallel/USB cable?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you very much!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
>>> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well enough
>>> for what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
>>> --
>>> SC Tom
>>>
>>
>> Hi, again, SC Tom,
>>
>> Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged it
>> into the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the USB
>> connector into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing device"
>> followed by "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use." However,
>> no printer showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control Panel and
>> found nothing but the network printer I had used before. I tried to
>> print, but nothing happened.
>>
>> I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard website,
>> picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer Port. I tried
>> to print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the usual error message
>> and had to manually cancel the print job.
>>
>> Does this sound like the printer is the problem?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
> Sounding more and more like it's the printer. Did you try it on both
> computers, or just the laptop? Who knows, you may have luck with your
> desktop. Generally, on a USB HP printer, the drivers are supposed to be
> installed before the printer is even hooked up.
> --
> SC Tom
>

Didn't know that, SC Tom! I did, however, try it on the desktop computer
too. I even changed the printer port on it to USB-Virtual Printer Port,
which became part of the list after I connected the USB cable. I guess it's
time to look for a new printer--something I had hoped to put off for a
while.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

"pjp" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ZfJ6o.10733$Z6.9052@edtnps82...
>
> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:i3f364$n5q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "pjp" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:xVD6o.10720$Z6.6765@edtnps82...
>>>
>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and until
>>>>>>> yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have
>>>>>>> DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my house had
>>>>>>> to be replaced.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem fine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click on
>>>>>> it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing
>>>>>> in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>>> queue?
>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>
>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>
>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>>> set to do so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command line,
>>>>> but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue and
>>>>> stayed there.
>>>>>
>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>
>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>
>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to buy
>>>>> a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do that, I
>>>>> can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop computer
>>>>> to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>
>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or the
>>>> PC.
>>>>
>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the motherboard,
>>>> you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to hook the printer
>>>> to:
>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>
>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>>> --
>>>> SC Tom
>>>>
>>>
>>> I'll add, if you can buy that convertor cable locally, can't you just
>>> take the printer in and ask them to do a quick check of it? Given you
>>> mentioned you replaced cable and still a no-go, personally at that time
>>> I'd be cutting my loss and not waste more time. Note - at $40 for a
>>> convertor cable you can pretty much buy a new printer can't you?
>>>
>> The converter cable would come from Best Buy; I wouldn't want them to
>> look at the computer. The only place in town where I'd take the printer
>> to get it checked is a real repair shop, and they're asking $49 just to
>> look at it. If I think I can get by for a few more days, a friend with
>> such a cable will be visiting and can bring it. But if it's the
>> computer's parallel port, that's a strong indication that I should get a
>> new computer: The hard drive is failing, the CD-RW drive is sticking
>> closed--and if the port is bad, what next?
>>
>> AND I want a good quality business-level printer, which will cost big
>> bucks, I'm sure--and require some research first.
>>
>
> Then go with a new color laser and forget inkjets entirely. Only reason
> there's still one in this house (and 2 color lasers) is because they still
> want really big bucks to include the fax option and so the inkjet is more
> a fax/scanner/copier than used as a pc printer.
>
> Oh, and I'm not sure it makes sense to think long term and pay big bucks
> for a printer. Maybe if you're publishing something etc. but if it only
> lasts a year at $50 then you can have six each newer with likely
> better/more features (and supported drivers etc.) than the previous in
> same time frame as something originally $300.
>
>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
>
>
I have a different philosophy, pjp. I like good quality and am willing to
pay for it--computer, printer, copier, etc.--even if they go out of date
eventually.

Jo-Anne

"Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i3fv46$tl1$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:YjK6o.58773$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:i3fich$ec7$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and
>>>>>>>>> until yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the
>>>>>>>>> roof of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was
>>>>>>>>> just restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I
>>>>>>>>> have DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my
>>>>>>>>> house had to be replaced.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on
>>>>>>>>> to name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer,
>>>>>>>>> but it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem
>>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click
>>>>>>>> on it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get
>>>>>>>> an error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document
>>>>>>>> showing in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it
>>>>>>>> eventually go away (with or without printing), or do you have to
>>>>>>>> manually clear the queue?
>>>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as
>>>>>>> I can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least
>>>>>>> is set to do so.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command
>>>>>>> line, but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the
>>>>>>> queue and stayed there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to
>>>>>>> buy a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do
>>>>>>> that, I can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the
>>>>>>> desktop computer to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>>>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or
>>>>>> the PC.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or
>>>>>> ready to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one
>>>>>> wants to hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is
>>>>>> hell on electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I
>>>>>> retired). If you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on
>>>>>> the motherboard, you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface
>>>>>> to hook the printer to:
>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy
>>>>>> one of them than a PC :-)
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last legs
>>>>> (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and I've had
>>>>> trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair before I
>>>>> could image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one ready to
>>>>> install once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning to think
>>>>> I'd better look into a new computer instead if indeed the printer port
>>>>> has gone. I have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but I'm more
>>>>> comfortable with a desktop for my real work.
>>>>>
>>>>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>>>>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>>>>> parallel/USB cable?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you very much!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>
>>>> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
>>>> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well enough
>>>> for what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
>>>> --
>>>> SC Tom
>>>>
>>>
>>> Hi, again, SC Tom,
>>>
>>> Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged it
>>> into the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the USB
>>> connector into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing device"
>>> followed by "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use." However,
>>> no printer showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control Panel and
>>> found nothing but the network printer I had used before. I tried to
>>> print, but nothing happened.
>>>
>>> I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard website,
>>> picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer Port. I tried
>>> to print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the usual error
>>> message and had to manually cancel the print job.
>>>
>>> Does this sound like the printer is the problem?
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>> Sounding more and more like it's the printer. Did you try it on both
>> computers, or just the laptop? Who knows, you may have luck with your
>> desktop. Generally, on a USB HP printer, the drivers are supposed to be
>> installed before the printer is even hooked up.
>> --
>> SC Tom
>>
>
> Didn't know that, SC Tom! I did, however, try it on the desktop computer
> too. I even changed the printer port on it to USB-Virtual Printer Port,
> which became part of the list after I connected the USB cable. I guess
> it's time to look for a new printer--something I had hoped to put off for
> a while.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne
>
You're welcome. Sorry it's going to cost you :-(
--
SC Tom

"Elmo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> "Elmo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer. Suddenly,
>>>> my
>>>> printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and until yesterday it
>>>> was
>>>> printing just fine.
>>>>
>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>> thunderstorms
>>>> (with one lightning strike that went through the roof of a house across
>>>> the
>>>> alley), and I lost my landline. It was just restored this afternoon,
>>>> along
>>>> with my internet service (I have DSL). The repairman said the line
>>>> between
>>>> the alley and my house had to be replaced.
>>>>
>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>> name
>>>> the
>>>> job, the printer, etc.
>>>>
>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>> tried
>>>> printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop computer. It
>>>> appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but it just lands in
>>>> a
>>>> queue and doesn't print.
>>>>
>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem fine.
>>>>
>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>> Here's something you might try:
>>>
>>> Open the Properties of the printer and see if, under the Ports tab,
>>> there's a USB... Virtual Printer Port. If so, change to that port.
>>> That's possibly what Windows sees, not the parallel port.
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Joe =o)
>>
>> Thank you, Joe, but there's no USB virtual printer port...
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
> This article suggests that you should have a USB port. Their
> installation and troubleshooting steps look quite useful too:
>
> http://sewelldirect.com/support/usbt...elsupport.aspx
>
> --
>
> Joe =o)

Thank you, Joe! That article offered excellent help--but the printer still
isn't printing. HOWEVER, when I unchecked "Enable bidirectional support,"
the printer started flashing "Data Received" and then "Ready." What I tried
to print is not in the print queue any more, but it's not printing either.
Any idea of what this means?

"SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:YUR6o.2827$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:i3fv46$tl1$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:YjK6o.58773$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:i3fich$ec7$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and
>>>>>>>>>> until yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the
>>>>>>>>>> roof of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was
>>>>>>>>>> just restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I
>>>>>>>>>> have DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my
>>>>>>>>>> house had to be replaced.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on
>>>>>>>>>> to name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I
>>>>>>>>>> also tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my
>>>>>>>>>> desktop computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop
>>>>>>>>>> computer, but it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem
>>>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click
>>>>>>>>> on it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get
>>>>>>>>> an error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document
>>>>>>>>> showing in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it
>>>>>>>>> eventually go away (with or without printing), or do you have to
>>>>>>>>> manually clear the queue?
>>>>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what
>>>>>>>> it's worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As
>>>>>>>> far as I can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or
>>>>>>>> at least is set to do so.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command
>>>>>>>> line, but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the
>>>>>>>> queue and stayed there.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to
>>>>>>>> buy a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do
>>>>>>>> that, I can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the
>>>>>>>> desktop computer to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it
>>>>>>> doesn't work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the
>>>>>>> printer or the PC.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or
>>>>>>> ready to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one
>>>>>>> wants to hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is
>>>>>>> hell on electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I
>>>>>>> retired). If you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on
>>>>>>> the motherboard, you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface
>>>>>>> to hook the printer to:
>>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy
>>>>>>> one of them than a PC :-)
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last legs
>>>>>> (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and I've had
>>>>>> trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair before I
>>>>>> could image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one ready to
>>>>>> install once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning to think
>>>>>> I'd better look into a new computer instead if indeed the printer
>>>>>> port has gone. I have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but I'm more
>>>>>> comfortable with a desktop for my real work.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>>>>>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>>>>>> parallel/USB cable?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you very much!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
>>>>> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well enough
>>>>> for what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
>>>>> --
>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi, again, SC Tom,
>>>>
>>>> Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged it
>>>> into the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the USB
>>>> connector into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing device"
>>>> followed by "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use." However,
>>>> no printer showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control Panel and
>>>> found nothing but the network printer I had used before. I tried to
>>>> print, but nothing happened.
>>>>
>>>> I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard
>>>> website, picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer
>>>> Port. I tried to print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the
>>>> usual error message and had to manually cancel the print job.
>>>>
>>>> Does this sound like the printer is the problem?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>
>>> Sounding more and more like it's the printer. Did you try it on both
>>> computers, or just the laptop? Who knows, you may have luck with your
>>> desktop. Generally, on a USB HP printer, the drivers are supposed to be
>>> installed before the printer is even hooked up.
>>> --
>>> SC Tom
>>>
>>
>> Didn't know that, SC Tom! I did, however, try it on the desktop computer
>> too. I even changed the printer port on it to USB-Virtual Printer Port,
>> which became part of the list after I connected the USB cable. I guess
>> it's time to look for a new printer--something I had hoped to put off for
>> a while.
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
> You're welcome. Sorry it's going to cost you :-(
> --
> SC Tom
>

Thank you again, SC Tom! I suspect it will.

One interesting change today: Elmo referred me to a site that detailed how
to set up a USB printer cable. The only difference from what I had done was
that it said to uncheck "Enable bidirectional support." I did that and tried
to print something again. The printer started flashing "Data Received" and
then "Ready." What I tried to print is not in the print queue any more, but
it's not printing either. As I asked Elmo, any idea of what this means? (I
suspect it means that the cable is working but the printer isn't.)

Jo-Anne

"Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i3hc19$iu2$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:YUR6o.2827$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:i3fv46$tl1$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:YjK6o.58773$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:i3fich$ec7$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:5UC6o.52968$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:i3es5o$p1q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and
>>>>>>>>>>> until yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the
>>>>>>>>>>> roof of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It
>>>>>>>>>>> was just restored this afternoon, along with my internet service
>>>>>>>>>>> (I have DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and
>>>>>>>>>>> my house had to be replaced.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on
>>>>>>>>>>> to name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I
>>>>>>>>>>> also tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my
>>>>>>>>>>> desktop computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop
>>>>>>>>>>> computer, but it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem
>>>>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so,
>>>>>>>>>> right-click on it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test
>>>>>>>>>> Page. Do you get an error message, or does it try to print? Is
>>>>>>>>>> there a document showing in queue after clicking on Test Page,
>>>>>>>>>> and does it eventually go away (with or without printing), or do
>>>>>>>>>> you have to manually clear the queue?
>>>>>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I
>>>>>>>>> manually cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the
>>>>>>>>> problem started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for
>>>>>>>>> what it's worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at
>>>>>>>>> it.) As far as I can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is
>>>>>>>>> running--or at least is set to do so.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command
>>>>>>>>> line, but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the
>>>>>>>>> queue and stayed there.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling
>>>>>>>>> the port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to
>>>>>>>>> buy a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do
>>>>>>>>> that, I can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the
>>>>>>>>> desktop computer to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it
>>>>>>>> doesn't work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the
>>>>>>>> printer or the PC.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or
>>>>>>>> ready to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one
>>>>>>>> wants to hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is
>>>>>>>> hell on electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I
>>>>>>>> retired). If you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on
>>>>>>>> the motherboard, you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface
>>>>>>>> to hook the printer to:
>>>>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy
>>>>>>>> one of them than a PC :-)
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you, SC Tom! Actually, I think the computer is on its last
>>>>>>> legs (it's a 7-year-old Dell). It's been slowing down lately, and
>>>>>>> I've had trouble with the hard drive (had to use chkdsk with repair
>>>>>>> before I could image the drive recently) and in fact have a new one
>>>>>>> ready to install once I get up the nerve to do it--but I'm beginning
>>>>>>> to think I'd better look into a new computer instead if indeed the
>>>>>>> printer port has gone. I have a laptop and a netbook I can use, but
>>>>>>> I'm more comfortable with a desktop for my real work.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> One more question: If it IS the parallel port on this old computer,
>>>>>>> couldn't I use one of its USB ports to print from--if I get a
>>>>>>> parallel/USB cable?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you very much!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, either method would work, although some of the USB-to-Whatever
>>>>>> adaptors can sometimes be flaky. My serial convertor works well
>>>>>> enough for what I need it to do, but my SCSI adaptor, not so great.
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi, again, SC Tom,
>>>>>
>>>>> Here's the latest. I bought a USB to parallel printer cable, plugged
>>>>> it into the turned-off printer, turned the printer on, and plugged the
>>>>> USB connector into my laptop computer. Windows said "USB printing
>>>>> device" followed by "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use."
>>>>> However, no printer showed up. I checked Printers and Faxes in Control
>>>>> Panel and found nothing but the network printer I had used before. I
>>>>> tried to print, but nothing happened.
>>>>>
>>>>> I then installed the printer's drivers from the Hewlett-Packard
>>>>> website, picking the port mentioned by Joe: USB... Virtual Printer
>>>>> Port. I tried to print, and nothing happened. Eventually, I got the
>>>>> usual error message and had to manually cancel the print job.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does this sound like the printer is the problem?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>
>>>> Sounding more and more like it's the printer. Did you try it on both
>>>> computers, or just the laptop? Who knows, you may have luck with your
>>>> desktop. Generally, on a USB HP printer, the drivers are supposed to be
>>>> installed before the printer is even hooked up.
>>>> --
>>>> SC Tom
>>>>
>>>
>>> Didn't know that, SC Tom! I did, however, try it on the desktop computer
>>> too. I even changed the printer port on it to USB-Virtual Printer Port,
>>> which became part of the list after I connected the USB cable. I guess
>>> it's time to look for a new printer--something I had hoped to put off
>>> for a while.
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>> You're welcome. Sorry it's going to cost you :-(
>> --
>> SC Tom
>>
>
> Thank you again, SC Tom! I suspect it will.
>
> One interesting change today: Elmo referred me to a site that detailed how
> to set up a USB printer cable. The only difference from what I had done
> was that it said to uncheck "Enable bidirectional support." I did that and
> tried to print something again. The printer started flashing "Data
> Received" and then "Ready." What I tried to print is not in the print
> queue any more, but it's not printing either. As I asked Elmo, any idea of
> what this means? (I suspect it means that the cable is working but the
> printer isn't.)

Does appear something got transmitted that time but if the printer didn't
spit anything out and it's not jammed, has paper etc. etc. still looks like
a new printer is in order and from what you said previously a new pc as
well. Does it print it's own on-board test page? Your manual should tell you
what buttons to hold down (or whatever) on the printer so the printer prints
out some type of summary page of it's settings etc. etc. Never had a printer
didn't have that feature.

> Jo-Anne

"Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:i3g1ln$igi$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "pjp" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:ZfJ6o.10733$Z6.9052@edtnps82...
>>
>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:i3f364$n5q$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> "pjp" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:xVD6o.10720$Z6.6765@edtnps82...
>>>>
>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:K3C6o.36197$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:i3epch$lg$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> "SC Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:sMx6o.49328$3%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Jo-Anne" <Jo-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:i3cka6$7cc$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>>> I'm using WinXP and an HPLaserJet4100 on my desktop computer.
>>>>>>>> Suddenly, my printer won't print. It's on, it's connected, and
>>>>>>>> until yesterday it was printing just fine.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I don't know if it's coincidence, but yesterday we had major
>>>>>>>> thunderstorms (with one lightning strike that went through the roof
>>>>>>>> of a house across the alley), and I lost my landline. It was just
>>>>>>>> restored this afternoon, along with my internet service (I have
>>>>>>>> DSL). The repairman said the line between the alley and my house
>>>>>>>> had to be replaced.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The error message is "This document failed to print." It goes on to
>>>>>>>> name the job, the printer, etc.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I turned the printer and the computer off and then back on. I also
>>>>>>>> tried printing from my laptop, which is networked to my desktop
>>>>>>>> computer. It appears to send the order to the desktop computer, but
>>>>>>>> it just lands in a queue and doesn't print.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My husband checked all the physical connections, and they seem
>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Any idea of what I should do next?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does the printer show up in Printers and Faxes? If so, right-click
>>>>>>> on it, pick Properties, then click on Print Test Page. Do you get an
>>>>>>> error message, or does it try to print? Is there a document showing
>>>>>>> in queue after clicking on Test Page, and does it eventually go away
>>>>>>> (with or without printing), or do you have to manually clear the
>>>>>>> queue?
>>>>>>> Also, is your Print Spooler service running?
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi, SC Tom,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Here are the answers:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I clicked on Print Test Page and didn't get an error message. The
>>>>>> document showed up in the queue but didn't go away until I manually
>>>>>> cleared it. (That's the way it's been happening since the problem
>>>>>> started; I've had to manually clear it each time--and, for what it's
>>>>>> worth, the status is always "offline" when I look at it.) As far as I
>>>>>> can tell in Properties, the Print Spooler is running--or at least is
>>>>>> set to do so.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Per pjp, I used the right syntax today to print from the command
>>>>>> line, but the same thing happened--the document ended up in the queue
>>>>>> and stayed there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Last night, my husband dug out a new parallel printer cable and
>>>>>> plugged it into the computer and the printer. No change.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I did some troubleshooting through HP Help, and at this point it
>>>>>> suggests using another printer port if there is one (I don't think
>>>>>> there's another parallel port on this computer) or uninstalling the
>>>>>> port and letting Windows reinstall it. Is that worth trying?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The only other thing I've been able to think to do (per LVTravel
>>>>>> above) is to connect my laptop (not the desktop computer currently
>>>>>> connected) directly to the printer. For that, however, I'd have to
>>>>>> buy a parallel/USB cable (almost $40 locally). Of course, if I do
>>>>>> that, I can probably connect the printer to a USB port on the desktop
>>>>>> computer to see if the parallel port is the problem.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you again!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> If you don't mind waiting, you can get it a lot cheaper on-line:
>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>
>>>>> If you buy it locally, will they allow you to return it if it doesn't
>>>>> work? If Yes, then at least you can find out if it's the printer or
>>>>> the PC.
>>>>>
>>>>> If it's the PC, then there may be other things wrong with it, or ready
>>>>> to go wrong, and you may be ready for a new PC. I know no one wants to
>>>>> hear that, or fork out the bucks for one, but lightning is hell on
>>>>> electronics (we lost two fax machines at work the week I retired). If
>>>>> you think that maybe just the parallel port is gone on the
>>>>> motherboard, you could get a PCI card with a parallel interface to
>>>>> hook the printer to:
>>>>> http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEMQ8wIwAw#
>>>>>
>>>>> If it turns out to be the printer, well, it's a lot cheaper to buy one
>>>>> of them than a PC :-)
>>>>> --
>>>>> SC Tom
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'll add, if you can buy that convertor cable locally, can't you just
>>>> take the printer in and ask them to do a quick check of it? Given you
>>>> mentioned you replaced cable and still a no-go, personally at that time
>>>> I'd be cutting my loss and not waste more time. Note - at $40 for a
>>>> convertor cable you can pretty much buy a new printer can't you?
>>>>
>>> The converter cable would come from Best Buy; I wouldn't want them to
>>> look at the computer. The only place in town where I'd take the printer
>>> to get it checked is a real repair shop, and they're asking $49 just to
>>> look at it. If I think I can get by for a few more days, a friend with
>>> such a cable will be visiting and can bring it. But if it's the
>>> computer's parallel port, that's a strong indication that I should get a
>>> new computer: The hard drive is failing, the CD-RW drive is sticking
>>> closed--and if the port is bad, what next?
>>>
>>> AND I want a good quality business-level printer, which will cost big
>>> bucks, I'm sure--and require some research first.
>>>
>>
>> Then go with a new color laser and forget inkjets entirely. Only reason
>> there's still one in this house (and 2 color lasers) is because they
>> still want really big bucks to include the fax option and so the inkjet
>> is more a fax/scanner/copier than used as a pc printer.
>>
>> Oh, and I'm not sure it makes sense to think long term and pay big bucks
>> for a printer. Maybe if you're publishing something etc. but if it only
>> lasts a year at $50 then you can have six each newer with likely
>> better/more features (and supported drivers etc.) than the previous in
>> same time frame as something originally $300.
>>
>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>
>>
> I have a different philosophy, pjp. I like good quality and am willing to
> pay for it--computer, printer, copier, etc.--even if they go out of date
> eventually.

I used to believe in that also but found the technology changes so fast and
never sure if you can get a new driver given manufacturer decides if they do
that ... Threw away an Officejet, printer, scanner, copier, fax little while
ago simply because my wife upgraded to a new pc with Vista and HP has no
drivers and states never will as printer is 7 years old. Made it useless for
her. In fact over the last almost 30 years now that pc's have fed me and
family God knows how much good working stuff just got thrown out or given
away just because of that.

>
> Jo-Anne
>