Printing Error Question

[Guest]

Error when printing from programs:
"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another
process."

The error message when printing test page from the printer properties is the
same, except that it says that the test page failed to print.

Printer in question is an Epson Stylus CX3810: Scanner, copier, and printer.
It scans and copies just fine. It will print it's own test pattern from the
controls on the printer... it just wont print from the computer. This makes
me think something might be wrong with the spooler in Windows 2000, but I
don't have enough experience with things like this to make a definitive
conclusion.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the printer and it's software package with
the same results. I've also gone to the Epson website for the most up to date
drivers.

Is there a file I can extract from the Windows 2000 CD that will fix this?
Or is there something else I can try?

Any feedback and information will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Lithium
Dallas, Texas

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

Are you printing to a FILE: Port? USB001 is a file to the spooler, the
system takes it from there.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Guest]

No, I've been printing to the printer. However, now that I know what the
virtual port name is, let's try printing from the command prompt...
____________________________

c:\> print /d:usb001 test.txt
Unable to initialize device usb001
____________________________

This is telling, but I'm not sure if it's the spooler or the virtual port
that's messed up.

 

[Joe]

Control Panel / Printers.

Right-click the printer, select Properties, and switch to the Ports tab.

What Port is the printer set to?

Change the port to USB002, and try again.

Change the port to FILE:, and try again. A dialog box should pop-up asking
for the name of a file. If the dialog-box does not appear, then you are
printing to a different printer than you thought.

Some software will print only to the Default Printer. A "check mark" next to
the printer indicates that it is the Default. If the printer you want is
not the default, then right-click on it and select "Set As Default Printer",
and try again.

 

[Guest]

Hi Joe, thanks for the input.

Command line print to usb002 got the unable to initialize device error.

The printer is set to default, and is on USB001- virtual printer port for USB.

What's interesting now, is that the buttons for the Ports Properties are
grayed out. So, I can't add, delete, or configure them. Also, I can't uncheck
USB001 or check the other ports listed, including FILE:.

=/

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

the failure is due to the cmd window unable to recognize the USB devices.
When you attempt to copy directly to the device, the spooler is not involved
unless you have a printer shared out that uses LPT1. The DOS file system
knows about LPT1 since it's been around since day one.

The disabled buttons means you are not admin for this printer.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Guest]

Wow. How many versions of idiocy do I have to go through to miss this?

The printer is using usb001.

In order for it to do that, I had to put my mouse through a USB converter to
be able to put it into the mouse port.

Guess what I forgot to do...

That's right! I forgot to uninstall the USB mouse, or disable it in the
Device Manager.

So, it really was in use already.

Speaking as a tech, I feel like a complete moron.

I would like to thank you guys for your help. Please excuse this as a lapse
of sanity.

Sincerely,
Lithium