Ask Me Help Desk - Printer Won't Print

I have a Panasonic CF-47 Toughbook(Pentium II) with Windows 98. The printer is an HP Officejet v40xi. Recently, I took my computer into the shop because the cursor went off the screen. After solving the problem, I brought the machine home, hooked up the printer, and tried to print. The error message came up: "error writing to LPT1; make sure printer is turned on and online."

I tried uninstall and reinstall, but it didn't work. I tried printing directly to printer(no spooling), but that didn't work. I checked all connections, but that didn't help. I do get a slight click from the printer when I give the print command, so the printer is getting the signal.

Any suggestions on how to get the two machines to communicate properly? How would I start from scratch? I would need all the steps to start over. I have the install disk. Thanks for an answer.

Did you use these drivers?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...en&cc=us&os=20

You could uninstall the printer, download the correct driver, and try again.

Where do I get the correct driver from? Thanks.

Need gave you a link to the drivers in his response, but you can get them from hp.com.

However, if the printer worked before taking the laptop in and didn't work when you reconnected, I would take it back to the shop. It sounds like they disconnected the parallel port.

Hi,
I also use Win98, SE, and have had problems with getting a printer to work sometimes, the first time. Sometimes, there are problems with USB connections with HP printers. It might be best to use a printer cable instead.
My suggestion is to go to Control Panel, then Add/Remove programs, and uninstall the printer.
Then reboot.
After the computer boots back up, use your install instructions that came with the printer, and follow them, step-by-step, in order. This will make sure you have installed it correctly. Reboot for all configurations to be sure to take effect.
If it still doesn't print, then I agree with ScottGem's post about taking it back to the computer tech.

First, let me apologize. I assumed, because you mentioned LPT1, that the printer used a parallel interface. However I checked hp.com and found it was USB only. That indicates that the problem may be in the printer setup. HP USB printers usually create a DOT4 port for USB printing. If you printer is connected to LPT1 it won't work. Did you follow the install instructions exactly when you reinstalled? If you can't find your manual you can review a copy at hp.com.

Second, I have to correct one thing Fred said. There is no such thing as a USB "printer cable". The only difference from one USB cable to another is the cable ends. There is A to B (which is what most printers use), male A to female A (used to extend a cable) or A to Mini B (for digital cameras).

Hi,
ScottGem's correction about a "USB Printer Cable" is not needed, since I did not call it a USB Printer Cable.
I know there is no such thing as a "USB Printer Cable". It's simply a USB connection, with a USB cord, which plugs into the USB port.
A "Printer Cable" is completely different, called that by Radio Shack Techs when one is looking for a Printer Cable with male and female ends, with pins.
The Printer Cable connects to a completely different place in back of the comoputer, not the USB port. Some of these can cost about #30 each.

Again, ScottGem's correction is not necessary, since I did not use the words "USB Printer Cable", nor did I imply anything like it.
My words were:
"Sometimes, there are problems with USB connections with HP printers. It might be best to use a printer cable instead."
The word "instead" implies using something different than the USB connection!
However, since this particular printer might not have a "printer cable" connection on it, as pointed out by ScottGem, then using the USB connection would be the only option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredg

ScottGem's correction is not necessary, since I did not use the words "USB Printer Cable", nor did I imply anything like it.
My words were:
"Sometimes, there are problems with USB connections with HP printers. It might be best to use a printer cable instead."
The word "instead" implies using something different than the USB connection!
However, since this particular printer might not have a "printer cable" connection on it, as pointed out by ScottGem, then using the USB connection would be the only option.

And that's my point Fred. Note I apologized to the asker for assuming that it was a parallel connection. The V40 is an older machine so I thought it more likely to be parallel only. Because you mentioned USB, I figured you had checked.

But assuming you didn't check, to refer simply to a "printer cable" is not accurate. ANY cable that connects a computer to a printer could be referred to as a printer cable. Had you said a Parallel cable or a parallel printer cable I wouldn't have objected. But to refer generically to a "printer cable" is neither accurate nor helpful.