Panasonic 4420 -- envelope address gibberish

[jj]

My Panasonic KX-P4420 prints fine in Word 2000/XP with one exception:
It refuses to print correct addresses on envelopes.

When I go to Tools/Envelopes and Labels, the address window
information is correct. But when I send the envelope through the
printer, all I get is a series of numbers and keyboard characters,
like !>% :"&67/4), in place of the letters. The characters
consistently correspond with certain letters, e.g. a $ represents a
space, ! is a capital J. The numbers do not match the actual address
numbers, e.g. my printer lays down a 2 when the correctl number is a
5.

What I've done so far:

* Removed and reinstalled both the printer and the driver (chosen via
the Printer Installation Wizard). Restarted, no change.

* Made sure I'm using a TrueType font.

* Checked both the Microsoft Knowledge Base and the Panasonic site.
There are no new drivers at Panasonic.

The computer is a new addition to the hut, a refurbed HP Pavilion 724,
512MB RAM. The printer always worked fine with my old P-II 350 and Win
98.

Grateful for any help. Thanks!

JJ

(remove "unspam" from my address to respond via e-mail)

 

[jj]

Follow-up to my post of August 14:

Today I happened to accidentally print a document in Landscape mode,
and it came out in the same gibberish as the previous envelopes. From
this I deduced that it's not an Envelopes and Labels driver problem,
but anything having to do with Landscape format.

I researched the MS Knowledge base again and found nothing. The old XP
Hardware Compatibility list has disappeared, so I couldn't check it
against the 4420. However, at the suggestion of a pal, who shall
henceforth be known as a Computer God, I "added" a new default
printer, the HP Laser Jet Plus. Voila! The Panasonic now prints
perfectly in Landscape and Portrait modes.

The reason my pal knew to make the switch? He recalled an old hardware
compatibility bulletin he read back in Windows 3.0!

He not only get my undying admiration, but a free bottle of 2000 Haut
des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf du Pape.

JJ