Can't print parallel in Windows XP

When you upgrade your system to Windows XP, the installation procedure can fail to correctly detect the printer/parallel port. In these cases, the printer appears to be installed and set up correctly, but when you send a document to the printer, the document never prints.

REINSTALL THE PARALLEL PRINTER PORT: To reinstall the parallel printer port, you must first remove it using Device Manager. While you can access the Device Manager from the System icon in the Control Panel, there’s a quicker way to get there.

1. If your keyboard has a Windows key, press that key and Pause/Break one at the same time. When the System Properties dialog box appears -->select the Hardware tab and-->click Device Manager button.
2. Another way is to open the Start menu--> right-click on the My Computer icon-->follow the above directions to click the tabs and buttons.

Once the Device Manager’s window appears, double-click Ports (COM & LPT). When you see the system’s parallel printer port-> right-click on it -->select Uninstall from the shortcut menu. This will bring up the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, which will prompt you to confirm the operation. To continue, click OK. After you've removed the parallel printer port configuration, you'll be ready to reinstall it.

First, select Scan For Hardware Changes from the Action drop-down list. Keep in mind that this detection operation can take a few moments to finish, and don’t be alarmed if you see the parallel printer port appear in the Ports (COM & LPT) list as Unknown Device. This designation is only temporary, and it will be correctly identified before the operation is complete. To complete the operation, close Device Manager and restart your system.

REINSTALL THE PRINTER: As soon as the system restarts, you’ll want to reinstall the printer. Reconnect the cable to the parallel port on the back of the computer and turn on the printer. Depending on which method you originally used to install the printer, you’ll perform that operation again.

INVESTIGATE THOSE I/O ADDRESS SETTINGS: If, after you've completed the steps above, you are still having difficulty printing from Windows XP, you may want to investigate the I/O (Input/Output) address settings. By default, XP assumes that the parallel printer port is using the default I/O address, 0378h. However, some computers may be configured to use nonstandard I/O addresses for the parallel printer port. To investigate this possibility, begin by checking the setting in the BIOS and, if possible, resetting the parallel printer port’s I/O address to 0378h. Since the methods of accessing and changing BIOS settings are unique to each brand of computer, check the instruction manual that came with the system for more details on resetting the parallel printer port’s I/O address in the BIOS. You can also set up XP to use a different I/O address for the parallel printer port. To do this, access Device Manager as explained earlier and locate and double-click on Ports (COM & LPT)--> Right-click on the system’s parallel printer port and select the Properties command--> Click the Resources tab and deselect the Use Automatic Settings box. This enables the Setting Based On drop-down list, allowing you to choose a setting that matches the system's BIOS configuration. As you do so, keep an eye on the Conflicting Device list box at the bottom of the Resources tab; you don’t want to create other problems for yourself. To enable the new setting, click OK and close Device Manager. This is the point where you should remove and reinstall the printer drivers and restart the system.

PORT SETTING CHANGES: You may also find it necessary to change the configuration of the port settings. To do so, access the Properties dialog box for your printer from within Device Manager as explained above. This time, select the Port Settings tab. Then, in the Filter Resource Method panel, select Use Any Interrupt Assigned To The Port. Next, check the Enable Legacy Plug And Play Detection box. To enable the new setting, click OK and close Device Manager. You should remove and reinstall the printer drivers and restart your system.

TRY THIS TIP: Another troubleshooting tip for printer port problems is to change the parallel port mode setting in the computer’s BIOS. There are three possible options: · Centronics or Standard mode – Either Rainbow or WIBU parallel key · ECP (Extend Capabilities Port) mode – When using Rainbow key · EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) mode. – When using WIBU parallel key You’ll want to select a mode other than the one that is now selected and then print a test page. Again, since the methods of accessing and changing BIOS settings are unique to each brand of computer, refer to your system’s instruction manual for more information. Some BIOS’s support a setting where the parallel port can be set to Enable, Disable or Auto. Make sure Enable is selected.