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Parallel Port dead after USB printer installed
Hi. I really need some help here. I have searched the archives, but couldn't find the answer to my problem.
I have been using a laser printer on my parallel port with no problems.
I just installed an Epson printer on USB, kept my laser printer as default, but my LPT port is "not recognized" whenever I try to print. I have tried to re-boot, reconfigure LPT as ECP, bi-directional, etc. (I also have can't get my Handspring to sync on USB, but that is probably another problem)
Can anyone suggest a fix, or utility that can help me out? I would REALLY appreciate it.
Frustrated in Atlanta,
cmbarry
P.S. I am running WinMe, Dell Dimension 4100, BIOS A4 (I think). I am scared to flash the BIOS, and not sure if that would even fix the problem.
I have been using a laser printer on my parallel port with no problems.
I just installed an Epson printer on USB, kept my laser printer as default, but my LPT port is "not recognized" whenever I try to print. I have tried to re-boot, reconfigure LPT as ECP, bi-directional, etc. (I also have can't get my Handspring to sync on USB, but that is probably another problem)
Can anyone suggest a fix, or utility that can help me out? I would REALLY appreciate it.
Frustrated in Atlanta,
cmbarry
P.S. I am running WinMe, Dell Dimension 4100, BIOS A4 (I think). I am scared to flash the BIOS, and not sure if that would even fix the problem.
- What is the difference between ECP and EPP?
I printed out a spreadsheet from Microsoft Access, now using EPP, and it did not print the horizontal or vertical lines between the fields. In ECP, it always did this. I am unable to get the printer to work, however, using ECP any more.
cmbarry - Weirdness.
I changed the parallel setting in BIOS (A06 by the way) to EPP. The parallel laser printer AND the USB printer now WORK!!!!!!!!
I still get the "Press Del to continue", and the orange-green-orange-orange lights on the back of the computer when this happens, but when I press Delete, the system boots up OK, so I think I should leave well enough alone.
Thoughts?
cmbarry
cmbarry
8 Posts
283
0
Posted January 13th, 2003 12:00
Nope. Just tried unplugging all USB devices. No response from printer. I then re-booted, and remembered another couple of details I forgot to include:
1) For several months, I have the "Press Del to continue" immediately after starting the computer. I have checked the light codes on the back of the computer in the past, which said something was wrong with my board, and to contact Dell. I haven't gotten around to doing this yet.
2) When I boot the computer, (After hitting Del), as it is booting up, it sends a signal to the printer, because the printer goes through a "warm-up" if it is in Sleep mode. Weird stuff going on here.
Any other advice?
cmbarry