My Printer Can't See !!

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 6 Nov 2000 9:13 am

Thanks to ALL you fellows for your very useful info on trouble shooting my printer,
i've tried everything ,except borrowing a printer, which is not an easy thing to do being that i live Waaaay out in the country.

I'm getting "error writing to port LPT-1 for the printer", also " printer not responding".
The LPT-1 is my default port, I've gone through everything pertaining to my printer and made sure all the settings are set at "default".the two messages looks to me like they're contradicting each other.

To me, looks like I've gotta make the trip to Wally World and check to see if I have any warranty on it,

i'ts not a year old.

I've been following the other post about printers,seems a lot of you are leaning toward the 800 series.
can anyone suggest the best for the buck?
Jack,on your comments about the HPs, i'm gonna stick with them.
thanks again to all you guys that helped me,
Kenny

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 9 Nov 2000 8:29 am

Sorry,
one final guestion on HP "capture Print Port",
the box [Device: LPT:1],
and the [Path: (blank)].
should there be a path in that box or are they talking about an extra printer being added ?
my thought was that maybe this is my problem.
" I only have one printer in the system"
Thanks,
Kenny

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 9 Nov 2000 9:35 am

You do not want to "capture" the printer port. If you have made a selection to capture, go back and release the printer (or whatever the function is called). Capture is only for a networked printer.

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 9 Nov 2000 9:41 am

Kenny--First off, if you DO get a new printer, check out the Epsons. Since the '80s I've had 10 and been happy with all tho I've never tried any of their 'photo' printers. Cartridges are usually reasonable.

Your DOS print problem sounds like you have a missing/incoorrect 'path' statement in your autoexec.bat file. You might not even have that file as it is not required by Windows. Find a small 'straight text' file (look for one with a .txt name ending) and copy it to the Windows\Command folder. Make sure the printer is ready to go. Then at the DOS prompt, type in:
CD\WINDOWS\COMMAND
and hit the ENTER key.
Next, type in:
COPY filename LPT1
and hit the ENTER key. ('filename' would be the text file you just copied.)

That SHOULD print the text file. Remember, those are BACK-SLASHES in the above command. If you get some file error message, make sure you correctly type in the COMPLETE name.

There are easier ways to verify your printer but this will work under DOS. If you continue to have problems/questions, email me.

Jack-- I never knew some printers only work under Windows. Please elaborate. Thanks.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 9 Nov 2000 9:51 am

I still haven't heard whether you confirmed that you've got the right driver installed. This will cause the exact problem that you are experiencing if not corrected.

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 9 Nov 2000 10:56 am

Jack,
I haven't captured the port,from the get go
the box I am referring to lists LPT:1 as "device" and the "path" is blank.
I have gone back into the properties settings and looked to see if I can change that and it doesn't give a way to do that.
I looked at END CAPTURE, and it says "no network printers installed"

Steve, the details sections for HP deskjet 610C ser.says,
Print to following Port,
under that says LPT:1

under that for the driver,
says, HP deskjet 610c ser.

Everett,
I'm at the present trying to figure all this out you are talking about,
I will take you up on the email route,
this thing is working on my mind.
I can't figure out if the Port is ok and the Printer is not seeing it, or if the printer is ok and the port is not giving it a signal.

BTW any of you that want to get on the mail are more than welcome.
Thanks
Kenny

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 9 Nov 2000 4:15 pm

Kenny -- Here's the url to a help page on the HP web site. Maybe it'll be of some use.

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpd04682.html

The HP610c has a built-in self test. They say to hold down that 'resume' button for 5 seconds. The resultant test does not require Windows, or anything. If you get a good test page that will indicate the printer is OK.

If the printer is OK, then follow their instructions to test the computer/printer connection and, if that goes well, the Windows configuration. What Windows version are you using???

All the other's suggestions are good - double check the hardware, cartridges, driver, port, etc. Go into Windows' device manager and check that there is no problem with the LPT1 port. If you need assistance, give a yell.

By the way, Jack's right - HP specifies 3 printer models that require Windows. Not your printer, though. --Everett[This message was edited by Everett Cox on 09 November 2000 at 04:17 PM.]

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 11 Nov 2000 9:00 am

Everett,
Thanks for the HP URL.
I went through the tests and the printer Failed.I unhooked the cable and it did not print the self-test.
I also went to the port test, it's showing to be okay.
Many thanks again to everyone for your help,
Kenny http://cgi.tripod.com/smilecwm/cgi-bin/s/cwm/killtard.gif
[This message was edited by KENNY FORBESS on 11 November 2000 at 09:12 AM.]

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 11 Nov 2000 9:23 am

Kenny.....

Please re-read my previous post again.

I have fixed many a printer due to a piece of material being hung up in the printer.

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 11 Nov 2000 11:50 am

Bill.
I read your most welcomed reply and did take a really close look, even took out the trays that can be removed,
applied low pressure air all around the spool and everywhere.
did't find any paper.
I really appreciate your suggestions and welcome more if you have them.
I'm trying really hard to keep from having to buy another printer.
Thanks,
Kenny