Can't print

[Larommi]

Customer brings in a machine and says it wont print. All it does is pop up an error saying "cannot print to lpt1. Port is busy. shut down any programs and try again" Problem is I ran msconfig and shut down all startup programs and disabled most everything else and it still wont print. Gave it the three finger salute and shut down everything but explorer and still wont print.

Here is what I tried:
checked for conflicts...none
reloaded printer drivers...nothing
removed drivers and printer ports and reinstalled...nothing
added new printer card...nothing
deleted temp files and spooler files...nothing
tested port...works fine
printed form DOS...works fine
new cable...no good

At this point I know the answer is in windows but I am not sure where...any help would be appreciated.

The machine is running win98 and the printers are a lexmark optra and a canon 2000


[IMG]

[AlienDyne]

Well Larommi,
it looks like the best thing you can do, is reinstall Windows over itself.

------------------
"Matter is passive. In spite of its power, it can't be controlled without the human mind." Sokrates

My Hardware Info, Hardware Media and Computer History page

[Gabriel]

I think this is the Problem:
"lexmark optra and a canon 2000"
Reason - They are both Piece of Crap

[AlienDyne]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gabriel:
I think this is the Problem:
"lexmark optra and a canon 2000"
Reason - They are both Piece of Crap</font>

I agree, but it's statistically imposible that this problem is caused by BOTH of them.
Something's wrong with current Windows installation.
Besides that, Larommi can't tell that to his customer!!! He must find a way to fix it.

------------------
"Matter is passive. In spite of its power, it can't be controlled without the human mind." Sokrates

My Hardware Info, Hardware Media and Computer History page

[3fingersalute]

I'd rename the Enum and then do a re-install of 98 !!!

------------------
Why do convenience stores that are open 24/7 have locks on the doors?

[CyberTech]

I have had the same problem before. The customers computer had a bad hard disk, and part of Windows was corrupted. Re=installed Windows over itself, and it fixed the problem.

To rule out driver/compatibility problems, try installing a new Generic/Text only printer and try printing to that. If that also fails you'll need to re-install Windows over itself.

[Larommi]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CyberTech:
I have had the same problem before. The customers computer had a bad hard disk, and part of Windows was corrupted. Re=installed Windows over itself, and it fixed the problem.

To rule out driver/compatibility problems, try installing a new Generic/Text only printer and try printing to that. If that also fails you'll need to re-install Windows over itself.</font>

I did try the generic/text and it still told me the port was busy. I got tired of fighting this thing and did do an overlay and it worked. Thanks for the help.


------------------
You spend your whole life believing that you're on the right track,
only to discover that you're on the wrong train.