printer/software conflict

[Don Siems]

I have two desktop computers (both using Windows 98SE)
and one Toshiba A45-S130 Laptop (using Windows XP Home)
networked through a Hawking router with CAT5e cables.
I have an HP 5550 printer installed on one desktop
computer which is shared by`the other computers through
the network. Everything works fine until I disconnect the
laptop from the network.

The desktop computers continue to work fine, but I have
problems with the laptop. Several Microsoft programs,
such as Excel, Word, Streets and Trips and MS Works,
will not run and I get a message to report the error.
When I reported the error, the message returned said I
should update the printer drivers. I updated the HP
software and the problem persisted.

On my way to solving the problem, I had set-up two
hardware profiles on the laptop; one with printer ON and
one with printer OFF. If I disconnect from the network,
turn the laptop ON and select the "printer OFF" profile,
I can use Excel and Word with no problem, but not Streets
and Trips or MS Works.

By trial and error, I found that when I use the HP
program to remove the printer software from the laptop,
all of the problem programs run fine, I can open and work
with the program files, but I can't print the results.

How can I solve this problem? Or must I continue to
uninstall the HP software when I wish to work off line
away from home?

 

[Adam Turner]

Don,

It sounds like you may be trying to print from multiple printers. If that is the case, you'll need to install printer drivers for each printer.

....Or your software applications are trying to print from your default printer.

When you select the print options, be sure that you're selecting the correct printer and not always using the default.

Hope this helps!

I have two desktop computers (both using Windows 98SE)
and one Toshiba A45-S130 Laptop (using Windows XP Home)
networked through a Hawking router with CAT5e cables.
I have an HP 5550 printer installed on one desktop
computer which is shared by`the other computers through
the network. Everything works fine until I disconnect the
laptop from the network.

The desktop computers continue to work fine, but I have
problems with the laptop. Several Microsoft programs,
such as Excel, Word, Streets and Trips and MS Works,
will not run and I get a message to report the error.
When I reported the error, the message returned said I
should update the printer drivers. I updated the HP
software and the problem persisted.

On my way to solving the problem, I had set-up two
hardware profiles on the laptop; one with printer ON and
one with printer OFF. If I disconnect from the network,
turn the laptop ON and select the "printer OFF" profile,
I can use Excel and Word with no problem, but not Streets
and Trips or MS Works.

By trial and error, I found that when I use the HP
program to remove the printer software from the laptop,
all of the problem programs run fine, I can open and work
with the program files, but I can't print the results.

How can I solve this problem? Or must I continue to
uninstall the HP software when I wish to work off line
away from home?

 

[Don Siems siems]

Adam,
Thanks for the reply, but that doesn't answer the
problem. I have only one printer in the network and only
that printer software installed. The problem occurs when
I disconnect the laptop from the network. I cannot open
MS Works, Excel, Word, or Streets and Trips unless I
uninstall the printer software. With the software
removed, programs work fine.

-----Original Message-----
Don,

It sounds like you may be trying to print from multiple

printers. If that is the case, you'll need to install
printer drivers for each printer.

....Or your software applications are trying to print from your default printer.

When you select the print options, be sure that you're

selecting the correct printer and not always using the
default.

 

[Adam Turner]

This is really strange. The only other option I can think of is to install the drivers only instead of the software applications associated with them.

It sounds like the printer software is using some functionality of the software application that won't respond offline.

By installing the printer drivers only without the HP software applications, it might resolve your issue.
Adam,
Thanks for the reply, but that doesn't answer the
problem. I have only one printer in the network and only
that printer software installed. The problem occurs when
I disconnect the laptop from the network. I cannot open
MS Works, Excel, Word, or Streets and Trips unless I
uninstall the printer software. With the software
removed, programs work fine.

-----Original Message-----
Don,

It sounds like you may be trying to print from multiple

printers. If that is the case, you'll need to install
printer drivers for each printer.

....Or your software applications are trying to print from your default printer.

When you select the print options, be sure that you're

selecting the correct printer and not always using the
default.

Hope this helps!

I have two desktop computers (both using Windows 98SE)
and one Toshiba A45-S130 Laptop (using Windows XP Home)
networked through a Hawking router with CAT5e cables.
I have an HP 5550 printer installed on one desktop
computer which is shared by`the other computers through
the network. Everything works fine until I disconnect the
laptop from the network.

The desktop computers continue to work fine, but I have
problems with the laptop. Several Microsoft programs,
such as Excel, Word, Streets and Trips and MS Works,
will not run and I get a message to report the error.
When I reported the error, the message returned said

I