Solution For a Variety of Odd Printer Problems

Kenn's
Tech
Notes

19980101: Solution For a Variety of Odd Printer Problems

January/1998
Tech Note #1

Tip of the Month! Deon W gives us our tip of the month for January/98. As printer technology has advanced in the past couple of years, it seems we have had more and more oddball printing problems. Sometimes, installing an IEEE 1284 printer cable solves the problem. Sometimes, downloading a newer version of the printer driver solves the problem. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't seem to get the printer to work 100%.

On a number of occasions, Deon has found that a simple CMOS setting will fix the problem. All Pentium computers (and some 486s) have on-board I/O. The parallel port is a part of the motherboard. Settings for the parallel port are found in the CMOS, including among other things, IO port and IRQ.

Assuming you have no resource conflicts, there is another setting for the port which may have a bearing on the problem. The new enhanced parallel ports can be set to "normal" mode, "EPP", "ECP", or "EPP and ECP". Deon has found that the last setting "EPP and ECP" is most suitable for use with the new generation of printers, the HP LaserJet 5 and 6 series, and the newer DeskJets, for example. If the parallel port is set to normal mode, these printers do not function properly or reliably. Changing the setting to "EPP and ECP" has fixed a number of problems.

Conversely, Deon has also seen situations where the "EPP and ECP" mode had been set for an older printer, and that, too, has caused problems. He changed the setting back to "normal", and the problems disappeared.

So check your parallel port modes!

DISCLAIMER: This document is intended for the reference of computer support personnel within Winnipeg School Division No. 1. There is no warranty or liability if procedures recommended here have an adverse affect on any systems. Use them at your own risk. Any trademarks mentioned are the property of their owners, none of whom have certified any information provided here. Opinions expressed here are personal only and do not represent the policy of Winnipeg School Division No. 1 or any other organization anywhere.

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