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Conference noted::ibmpc-95

Title:IBM PCs, clones, DOS, etc.
Notice:Intro in 1-11, Windows stuff in NOTED::MSWINDOWS please
Moderator:TARKIN::LINND
Created:Mon Jan 02 1995
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3023
Total number of notes:28404

2904.0. "Problems Printing on Dell Computer" by CPCOD::CODY () Thu Feb 06 1997 09:09

    I am having a problem with my DELL XPS Dimension 133 and I am hoping
    that some one can help me.  This is a description of my computer:


    	Pentium 133 cpu
    	512k Secondary cache
    	number nine video card with 2mb 
    	24mb ram
    	2.1gig hard drive
    	conner tape backup
    	dell 17" monitor
    	tiac 4x cd rom drive
    	3.5 floppy drive
    	HP LASERJET 5P print
    	Epson x80 impact printer
    	ZOOM VFP 28.8 modem
    	printer switch

    Now this problem just start last month.  When I try to print to either
    printer I get one of two intermittent problems.  I get an error message
    that the printer is out of paper or I get garbage printed.  The
    frequency of these problems is increasing to the point where they
    happen more than they don't.  The only change I've made on the computer
    is upgrading Norton Anti- Virus from V1.0 to V2.0.

    What have I done to diagnosis this?  

    	I have run the Dell diagnostics and gotten no errors
    	I have bought new cables for the computer to switch and the switch
    	to printer
    	I have removed the SUPERPRINT application even though it was on the 
    	machine previous to the error
    	

    Has anyone else had this problem?


    PJ
     
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2904.1CPCOD::CODYThu Feb 06 1997 09:113
    I forgot to add I use Windows 95 operating system.
    
    PJ
2904.2Test it without the printer switchNEWVAX::PAVLICEKUpgrade your PC: Install LinuxThu Feb 06 1997 10:108
    Remove the printer switch (cable straight from the computer to printer) 
    and see if the problem persists.
    
    I don't know about this personally, but I've heard multiple computer
    show vendors warn customers about possible problems using switches on
    printer lines.  I don't have any details, though.
    
    -- Russ
2904.3CPCOD::CODYThu Feb 06 1997 10:134
    Thanks for your input, I've already done that, forgot to put it in my
    original note.

    PJ 
2904.4IEEE 1284 cable maybe??NWD002::SKRABUT_LALarry SkrabutThu Feb 06 1997 11:128
    	Question:
    on the printer cable, is it an IEEE1284 standard?  One can usually tell
    by the code written on the cable itself, alot of HP and Canon printers
    do require a cable of this quailty. The cable cost around $40 last
    summer,but  now I seem them in COSTCO for around $10. Also for a canon
    610 printer it should be no longer than 6', I don't know what HP's specs
    are. Also for a Canon this wasn't in there owners manual but there tech
    support does call for this.
2904.5POBOXA::KEEFERCraig PK03-1/R11, DTN:223-4902Thu Feb 06 1997 11:3710
RE.0

Also check your BIOS setup. Some BIOSes allow you to setup your parallel
port as conventional, bidirectional, or EPP/ECP. 

If it is setup as EPP/ECP you need the IEEE 1284 cable, or try changing it to
conventional. Check your printer manuals to see what parallel port protocols
they support/recommend.

-Craig
2904.6Not familiar with "bidirectional" parallel port...NETCAD::BATTERSBYThu Feb 06 1997 12:325
    When they use the word "bidirectional" what exactly are they
    defining? A parallel port that can create a "Y" connection to
    2 separate printers?
    
    Bob
2904.7TARKIN::LINBill LinThu Feb 06 1997 13:0310
    re: .6 by NETCAD::BATTERSBY
    
    >> "bidirectional" parallel port
    
    Hi Bob,
    
    It simply means that information travels in both directions, i.e. from
    and to the printer port.
    
    /Bill
2904.8That's what I thought, but needed to verify :-)NETCAD::BATTERSBYFri Feb 07 1997 08:318
    >It simply means that information travels in both directions, i.e. from
    >and to the printer port.
    
    That's what I thought it might mean, but with the context of 
    discussion about printer switches, I had to make sure there
    wasn't some other "feature" that I wasn't aware of. :-)
    
    Bob
2904.9CPCOD::CODYFri Feb 07 1997 14:204
    Changing the bios setting for the parallel port did the trick, thanks
    for the help.

    PJ
2904.10CPCOD::CODYMon Feb 17 1997 13:485
    I solved this problem by replacing the manual switch I was using with
    an automatic switch and replacing the cables.
    
    
    PJ