UPGRADING REPAIRING PCs

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Chapter 7—Parallel Ports, Printers, Scanners, and Drives
Table 7.9 Troubleshooting Printer Connections Continued
Symptom
Printer Type
Or Port Type Cause(s) Solutions
Use DOS MODE or Windows
COM Port properties sheet to set
serial port on computer.
Printer configuration varies; might
involve use of DIP switches,
jumper blocks, printer setup
panel, or software configuration
program; see printer manual.
Incorrect cable No such thing as a “universal”
pinout RS-232 printer cable; check
pinouts at both computer and
printer end; rewire or reorder
cable as needed.
PostScript laser PostScript Check cable; check serial port
preamble not
properly
received
configuration; reload drivers.
Printer Any Print job Check for paper out; reload
not available has timed paper. Check printer cable or
out; computer serial port settings; look for IRQ
is using conflicts and correct them; set
offline mode switchbox to automatic mode,
to spool jobs or lock it to computer you want
to print from.
USB port Printer may not Check Device Manager; remove
be detected by and reattach printer and
Device Manager recheck.
See Chapter 8 for other USB
troubleshooting tips.
Printer Laser and IEEE-1284 Ensure port and cable(s) and
doesn’t notify inkjet connection switchbox are all IEEE-1284 (EPP
Windows of not working or ECP or EPP/ECP); check cable
paper out, connection; CMOS/BIOS configjams,
out of uration. Install ECP LPT port
toner or
ink, etc.
driver in Windows.
Intermittent Any Bad switchbox Use direct connection to
or failed or cables printer; check cables; replace
communi- rotary-dial manual switchbox
cations with
printer
with autosensing switchbox.
Parallel port Device daisy- Use printer only; change
chain with order of daisy-chain; avoid
printer use of Zip, scanner, and
printer on single LPT port.