printer problem

[zirath]

We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.

We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.

Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
com1).

I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
problem.

Help appreciated.

 

[Bill in Co.]

We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.

We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.

Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
com1).

I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
problem.

Help appreciated.

Have you tried running Add Printer in Control Panel?

 

[zirath]

Have you tried running Add Printer in Control Panel?

Yes. I've added it from the control panel and from the "printers and faxes"
on the start/settings menu and removed it and tried again. The printer is
not detected by xp as a plug and play - and I have to add it from the list.
It adds but gives an error when trying to print the test page.

 

[smlunatick]

We just upgraded to windows xp from windows 98.

We have an hp laserjet 4L printer that was functioning with no problems
under win98. After upgrading to xp it no longer functions.

Also, the lpt1 port is not listed in the Device Manager (it only shows
com1).

I changed the bios from bi-directional to ecp(?) but it didn't solve the
problem.

Help appreciated.

Parallel ports should not be set yo ECP. In my experience, ECP was to
be used for communicating with other parallel devie other than
printers and XP normally only allows printers on these.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Yes. I've added it from the control panel and from the "printers and
faxes"
on the start/settings menu and removed it and tried again. The printer is
not detected by xp as a plug and play - and I have to add it from the
list.
It adds but gives an error when trying to print the test page.

So if you have it added already, and then go into Control Panel, System,
Hardware, Device Manager, you can't get it to search for a driver?

 

[zirath]

So if you have it added already, and then go into Control Panel, System,
Hardware, Device Manager, you can't get it to search for a driver?

After quite alot of experimenting I tried changing the bios setting from
"auto" to "enable" on the parallel port. Windows xp then found the ecp port.

However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
sentences. such as:
%!PS-Adobe-3.0
%%Title: Test Page
%%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2

I finally unplugged the printer.

 

[JohnO]

However, the test page was page after page of strange computer type
sentences. such as:
%!PS-Adobe-3.0
%%Title: Test Page
%%Creator: PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2

I finally unplugged the printer.

Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
the same time, then restart. Try again.

By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking you
don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
PCL or at least not PS.

-John O

 

[smlunatick]

Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
the same time, then restart. Try again.

By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking you
don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
PCL or at least not PS.

-John O

This PS is indicating a PostScript driver which the 4L printer is not
able to do.

 

[JohnO]

Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
the same time, then restart. Try again.

By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking
you
don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout with
InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that says
PCL or at least not PS.

-John O

This PS is indicating a PostScript driver which the 4L printer is not
able to do.
______________

I wondered about that....which means it's the wrong driver.

(and why don't certain posts I reply to get indented, and some do? I see
others have the same trouble.)

-John O

 

[zirath]

Restart everything...the PC and the printer, make sure they're both off at
the same time, then restart. Try again.

By chance did you load a driver that says "PS" in the name? I'm thinking
you don't want that particular driver, unless you are doing page layout
with InDesign, Quark, or something like that...try another 4L driver that
says PCL or at least not PS.

-John O

After a few more experiments, I changed the bios back to bi-directional and
the plug and play found the printer. It now functions ok. (Plug and play
didn't use the ps driver).