IE8 or SP3 has disabled printing

[Kolja]

Hello all,

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8 and Service Pack 3, my printer
has stopped working. The printer still functions perfectly off my lap top --
without either one of those updates -- so I know the printer and cable are
not at fault.

After talking to HP customer service about the problem, I am still at a
loss. So far I have (in this order) uninstalled the printer drivers,
uninstalled Internet Explorer 8 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), uninstalled Service Pack 3 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), and reinstalled the printer drivers (rebooting between each step).

My printer still won't print any documents from this computer. Does anybody
know what I should try next? I use a LaserJet 6P that connects using a
parallel port. Yes, it's an old washing machine, but one that has never
broken down and probably never will. I am loathe to part with it.

Kolja

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8 and Service Pack 3, my
printer has stopped working. The printer still functions perfectly
off my lap top -- without either one of those updates -- so I know
the printer and cable are not at fault.

After talking to HP customer service about the problem, I am still
at a loss. So far I have (in this order) uninstalled the printer
drivers, uninstalled Internet Explorer 8 (after uninstalling 2
associated hotfixes first), uninstalled Service Pack 3 (after
uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes first), and reinstalled the
printer drivers (rebooting between each step).

My printer still won't print any documents from this computer. Does
anybody know what I should try next? I use a LaserJet 6P that
connects using a parallel port. Yes, it's an old washing machine,
but one that has never broken down and probably never will. I am
loathe to part with it.

You know that the cable is not the only possible bad component... Could be
the actual parallel port on said computer is a wash.

 

[Kolja]

You know that the cable is not the only possible bad component... Could be

the actual parallel port on said computer is a wash.

Just checked the parallel port with another old device. Works. So while that
was a good thought, my problem persists. Moreover, Hewlett Packard has been
recieving complaints about printer functionality being disabled after either
IE8 or SP3 have been installed on customer computers. This is a systemic
problem.

In cases involving USB printers, functionality has been slowed by IE8 or
SP3. In cases of parallel port printers, like mine, functionality has been
completely suspended.

Kolja

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8 and Service Pack 3, my
printer has stopped working. The printer still functions perfectly
off my lap top -- without either one of those updates -- so I know
the printer and cable are not at fault.

After talking to HP customer service about the problem, I am still
at a loss. So far I have (in this order) uninstalled the printer
drivers, uninstalled Internet Explorer 8 (after uninstalling 2
associated hotfixes first), uninstalled Service Pack 3 (after
uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes first), and reinstalled the
printer drivers (rebooting between each step).

My printer still won't print any documents from this computer. Does
anybody know what I should try next? I use a LaserJet 6P that
connects using a parallel port. Yes, it's an old washing machine,
but one that has never broken down and probably never will. I am
loathe to part with it.

You know that the cable is not the only possible bad component...
Could be the actual parallel port on said computer is a wash.

Just checked the parallel port with another old device. Works. So
while that was a good thought, my problem persists. Moreover,
Hewlett Packard has been recieving complaints about printer
functionality being disabled after either IE8 or SP3 have been
installed on customer computers. This is a systemic problem.

In cases involving USB printers, functionality has been slowed by
IE8 or SP3. In cases of parallel port printers, like mine,
functionality has been completely suspended.

Please point to these complaints - web page? I'd like to see what they
center around.

Windows XP SP3 has been out for over a year now - there should be quite a
few. Although I personally have not seen Windows XP SP3 affect printers, I
only have access to a few hundred different ones - including older parallel
port printers.

Did you do a system restore (not just uninstalling the updates, but also
doing a system restore) afterwards - to a date before you ever installed the
updates?

Have you tried restoring your computer to an earlier date using your own
backup system to a date before the problem occured?

Beyond that - if you have no backups and the system restore idea does not
fix it - you could try a repair installation with an SP2 Windows XP CD, SFC
/SCANNOW with an SP2 Windows XP CD and/or a clean installation.

 

[Jose]

Hello all,

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8 and Service Pack 3, my printer
has stopped working. The printer still functions perfectly off my lap top--
without either one of those updates -- so I know the printer and cable are
not at fault.

After talking to HP customer service about the problem, I am still at a
loss. So far I have (in this order) uninstalled the printer drivers,
uninstalled Internet Explorer 8 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), uninstalled Service Pack 3 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), and reinstalled the printer drivers (rebooting between each step)..

My printer still won't print any documents from this computer. Does anybody
know what I should try next? I use a LaserJet 6P that connects using a
parallel port. Yes, it's an old washing machine, but one that has never
broken down and probably never will. I am loathe to part with it.

 Kolja

Start with the easy stuff.

Goto Start, Settings, Printers and Faxes.

Is your Laserjet the default printer (it has a check mark in the
icon)?

Is there printer status Ready?

If you right click the printer, Properties, does the Print Test Page
button generate a test page?

Jose

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)]

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8 and Service Pack 3, my printer

has stopped working. The printer still functions perfectly off my lap top --
without either one of those updates -- so I know the printer and cable are
not at fault.

After talking to HP customer service about the problem, I am still at a
loss. So far I have (in this order) uninstalled the printer drivers,
uninstalled Internet Explorer 8 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), uninstalled Service Pack 3 (after uninstalling 2 associated hotfixes
first), and reinstalled the printer drivers (rebooting between each step).

My printer still won't print any documents from this computer. Does anybody
know what I should try next? I use a LaserJet 6P that connects using a
parallel port. Yes, it's an old washing machine, but one that has never
broken down and probably never will. I am loathe to part with it.

Did you recently install the .net 3.5 SP2 along with anything else?

 

[Kolja]

Please point to these complaints - web page? I'd like to see what they
center around.

I was informed by the technicians at Hewlett Packard customers support. They
claimed to have asked for a fix from Microsoft ever since IE8 and SP3 first
came out, but have yet to receive a reply. Aside from that, I did find some
like-minded issues by Googling, but nothing on the Microsoft site.

Did you do a system restore (not just uninstalling the updates, but also
doing a system restore) afterwards - to a date before you ever installed the
updates?

No, but impossible now. The system restore points have been deleted.

Have you tried restoring your computer to an earlier date using your own
backup system to a date before the problem occured?

Brand new install.

Beyond that - if you have no backups and the system restore idea does not
fix it - you could try a repair installation with an SP2 Windows XP CD, SFC
/SCANNOW with an SP2 Windows XP CD and/or a clean installation.

This has been suggested to me as a last resort. Curious, if I repair/install
C Drive (where all of my programs including WindowsXP have been installed),
can it delete any information on my partitioned D Drive (where all of my raw
data is stored)?

 

[Kolja]

Did you recently install the .net 3.5 SP2 along with anything else?

If it is included with WindowsXP automatic updates, then very likely. If it
is required for the latest version of Windows Live, then definitely.

 

[Kolja]

Is your Laserjet the default printer (it has a check mark in the icon)?

Yes. It was assigned as the default printer prior to this problem and ever
since I downloaded and installed the latest drivers from the web site.

Is there printer status Ready?

Yes.


If you right click the printer, Properties, does the Print Test Page button generate a test page?

No.

 

[Kolja]

Did you recently install the .net 3.5 SP2 along with anything else?

If it is included with WindowsXP automatic updates, then very likely. If it
is required for the latest version of Windows Live, then definitely.

 

[Jose]

Yes. It was assigned as the default printer prior to this problem and ever
since I downloaded and installed the latest drivers from the web site.


No.

If that won't work, you won't doing much printing. That is just basic
stuff.

Did you get an error or when asked if it printed did you make the
appropriate selection ("Troubleshoot") and run the Printing
Troubleshooter?

You can also just remove the printer entirely (since a test page won't
even work), reboot completely (with no printer attached), plug in the
printer and let XP detect it (it whould) find it and install it (it
should).

Try the test page again.

You must get a test page working.

If that doesn't help:

There may be some clues in the Windows Event Viewer.

Go to Start, Run, eventvwr.msc <enter>. Look for red or yellow
message in the Application and System section at the time you tried to
print.

Right click My Computer, Properties, Hardware, Device Manager.

Assuming this is a USB printer (it is, right?) do you see and ?s or !s
in the Universal Serial Bus Controller section (expand by clicking the
+).

If it is a USB printer, do you have any other USB device that work
properly?

You must get a test page working.

Jose

 

[Jose]

Yes. It was assigned as the default printer prior to this problem and ever
since I downloaded and installed the latest drivers from the web site.


No.

Oops, forgot. After you try to print a test page, it should be in the
print queue. Double click the printer to open the queue, delete any
pending documents.

Go to Start, Run, services.msc. Stop and Start the Print Spooler
Service - make sure it is set to Automatic, reboot.

Jose

 

[Kolja]

Did you get an error or when asked if it printed did you make the
appropriate selection ("Troubleshoot") and run the Printing
Troubleshooter?

Already done to no avail.

You can also just remove the printer entirely (since a test page won't
even work), reboot completely (with no printer attached), plug in the
printer and let XP detect it (it whould) find it and install it (it
should).

Tried this with no success. The Plug and Play seems to be disabled as well.
This issue was also identified when I talked to the Hewlett Packard
technicians.

There may be some clues in the Windows Event Viewer.

Go to Start, Run, eventvwr.msc <enter>. Look for red or yellow
message in the Application and System section at the time you tried to
print.

Nothng red or yellow when I tried to print. All I get is a "This Document
Failed to Print" pop-up.

Right click My Computer, Properties, Hardware, Device Manager.

Assuming this is a USB printer (it is, right?)

Thank you for your help, but as stated in my original post, this is a
parallel port printer. How does that change your thoughts on how to proceed?

Kolja

 

[Jose]

Already done to no avail.


Tried this with no success. The Plug and Play seems to be disabled as well.
This issue was also identified when I talked to the Hewlett Packard
technicians.



Nothng red or yellow when I tried to print. All I get is a "This Document
Failed to Print" pop-up.



Thank you for your help, but as stated in my original post, this is a
parallel port printer. How does that change your thoughts on how to proceed?

Kolja

My bad on the port.

I don't have your setup, but am not out of ideas.

Go back to Device Manager. Under Ports, see what the ECP Printer port
(LPT) number is - 1, 2, 3...

Hopefully, there is only one and no obvious errors?

Go back your printer properties. Look at the Ports tab of the printer
you want to work which is connected to your parallel port. Make sure
the check box under the Port column matches the LPT setting you found
in Device Manager.

If you change it and apply it, try the test page. Reboot and double
check the settings and try the test page again.

Jose

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Horse hockey! It's up to HP to provide a "fix," not MS.

cf.
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...c.internetexplorer.general&q=ie8+++hp+++print

PS: When IE7 was released, there were similar issues (involving HP
Director). For months, HP said "MS needs to fix it" then 5-6 months later,
HP released it's fix. Nevertheless, their customers continue to have
problems; cf.
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?qt_s=1&q=ie7+++hp+++director

=> Those with IE7- and/or IE8-specific questions or comments can post to and
seek support in IE General newsgroup:
microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

On the web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

In your newsreader:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

 

[Jose]

Horse hockey!  It's up to HP to provide a "fix," not MS.

cf.http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.gene....

PS: When IE7 was released, there were similar issues (involving HP
Director).  For months, HP said "MS needs to fix it" then 5-6 months later,
HP released it's fix.  Nevertheless, their customers continue to have
problems; cf.http://groups.google.com/groups/search?qt_s=1&q=ie7+++hp+++director

=> Those with IE7- and/or IE8-specific questions or comments can post to and
seek support in IE General newsgroup:
microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

On the web:http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg...

In your newsreader:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

I think I'm pretty close.

What you see in Device Manager needs to match what you see in the
printer port configuration, by LPT number.

Misalignment will cause this error.

If Device Manger has more than one, it is probably screwed up, but
some trial and error will get it (there can't be more than 3 combos to
try).

Microsoft has a reputation for maligning LPT ports when upgrading to
XP or applying SPs (like SP3).

I think since parallel ports are not so popular, it doesn't get much
attention these days.

Besides, PA Bear... the OP would be loathe to part with the parallel
printer (I read the original post real good this time).

Jose

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[Why are you replying to my post?]

I think I'm pretty close.

What you see in Device Manager needs to match what you see in the
printer port configuration, by LPT number.

Misalignment will cause this error.

If Device Manger has more than one, it is probably screwed up, but
some trial and error will get it (there can't be more than 3 combos to
try).

Microsoft has a reputation for maligning LPT ports when upgrading to
XP or applying SPs (like SP3).

I think since parallel ports are not so popular, it doesn't get much
attention these days.

Besides, PA Bear... the OP would be loathe to part with the parallel
printer (I read the original post real good this time).

Jose

 

[Kolja]

Go back to Device Manager. Under Ports, see what the ECP Printer port (LPT) number is - 1, 2, 3...

All I see under Ports (Com & LPT) are two headings...

-Communications Port (COM1)
-Communications Port (COM2)

Hopefully, there is only one and no obvious errors?

Possibly based on what I posted above.

Go back your printer properties. Look at the Ports tab of the printer you want to work which is connected to your parallel port. Make sure the check box under the Port column matches the LPT setting you found in Device Manager.

According to my settings in Printers and Faxes (Control Panel) the LaserJet
6P is connected to LPT1 Printer Port.

If you change it and apply it, try the test page. Reboot and double check the settings and try the test page again.

Should I be connecting my printer to one of those COM1 or COM2 Communication
Ports? If so, I cannot find an interface for doing as much. Please correct me
if I have left the tracks of your reasoning here...

Kolja

 

[Jose]

All I see under Ports (Com & LPT) are two headings...

-Communications Port (COM1)
-Communications Port (COM2)


Possibly based on what I posted above.


According to my settings in Printers and Faxes (Control Panel) the LaserJet
6P is connected to LPT1 Printer Port.


Should I be connecting my printer to one of those COM1 or COM2 Communication
Ports? If so, I cannot find an interface for doing as much. Please correct me
if I have left the tracks of your reasoning here...

Kolja

COM ports are 9 pin (usually male) connectors on the back of your PC.
They are serial connections.

LPT ports are 25 pin (usually female) connectors on the back of your
PC. They are parallel connections.

25 pin connections are also known as DB-25.

On your afflicted machine, is the port on the back 9 or 25 pins?

Please say 25 pins.

My newer laptop doesn't have a 9 or a 25 pin plug on it of any
gender. My laptop doesn't even have a Ports section in Device
Manager. Such are the days of plug and play.

When you connect your printer to your working laptop, how many pins
are in the connector that plugs into the laptop?

Please say 25 pins.

My old desktop has one 9 (COM1) and one 25 (LPT1) pin connector. They
both show up in Device Manager.

The only way I can get my parallel port to not show up in Device
Manager is to disable it in the BIOS during a reboot. Then, only my
COM port shows up. If I enable the parallel port again in the BIOS it
shows up in Device Manager.

In the BIOS, parallel might be referenced as ECP or LPT or LPT1.

Look at your the Device Manager Ports section in your laptop that
works... Do you have an LPT port in Device Manager? Is that the same
port number matched to your printer properties? Is that the setup
that works properly?

That is what your non working computer needs to look like.

If your connector is now and always has been 25 pins, it is truly
parallel and must show up in Device Manager for XP to find it. Can
you verify the port is enabled in the BIOS? Yours BIOS is not the
same as mine, so I can't help figure that out.

Jose

 

[Kolja]

LPT ports are 25 pin (usually female) connectors on the back of your PC. They are parallel connections.
25 pin connections are also known as DB-25.
On your afflicted machine, is the port on the back 9 or 25 pins?
Please say 25 pins.

25 pins.

When you connect your printer to your working laptop, how many pins are in the connector that plugs into the laptop?
Please say 25 pins.

25 pins.

Look at your the Device Manager Ports section in your laptop that works... Do you have an LPT port in Device Manager?

I have one Communications Port (COM1) and one ECP Printer Port (LPT1).

Is that the same port number matched to your printer properties?

The LPT1, yes.

Is that the setup that works properly?

Yes.


That is what your non working computer needs to look like.

Okay.


If your connector is now and always has been 25 pins, it is truly parallel and must show up in Device Manager for XP to find it.

It is an has always been.

Can you verify the port is enabled in the BIOS? Yours BIOS is not the same as mine, so I can't help figure that out.

Err, BIOS? I might have flashed my BIOS once, but if memory serves, the
command was built into my ASUS motherboard and not that complicated. Can you
give me any hint as to how I can verify if the port is enabled?