Troubleshooting an HP PS1300 Printer

[cw1865]

Maybe I am missing something here.

I am printing with no difficulties. Out of the blue, the printer just stops printing. The jobs seemingly spool (they don't get caught up in that printer queue which seemingly doesn't want to delete), but no action from the printer.

I reset the printer, it prints a test page - it is physically capable of printing, plenty of ink
I can control the printer's scanner from the computer...

The troubleshooter detected that your parallel port (http://www.webproworld.com/webmaster-forum/HELP=glossary.xml%20TOPIC=gls_port) might be malfunctioning, which could be the cause of the problem. If your port is malfunctioning, you might be able to solve the problem by removing and reinstalling the port.


OK, fair enough, but then why is the scanner still working?


I removed it and on reboot the computer finds the hardware with no issue....still, it just won't print.


Absolutely baffling, if Bill Gates made cars he'd be out of business.

[NvestWeb]

First, I would test the print routine with Notepad. Put a couple of sentences together, and hit Print (making sure to send it to this printer) - you are sending Generic Text at that point. That should confirm that the job is 'spooling' properly (assuming ??? version of Windows), before it hits the Print queue. You could also "pause" the printer before running this test job. Doing so will send the job to the Spooler directory, and then let it rest in the queue. Then, unpause the printer - if it doesn't print, then it's the connection to the printer. The symptoms you describe also sound like a disk space (spooling the job before the queue, then running out of space), but these days with plenty of space on most hard disks, it's probably not the problem.

If you are able to print from Notepad, then I would be suspect of the HP software. I would uninstall and reinstall the HP software, as well as update the drivers from the HP support site.

One other thing to check would be the Port. From the Printers and Faxes folder, right click on the printer (HP PS1300), then Properties, then the Port tab. Make sure that this printer is set (check box) for the proper port.

Peter

[cw1865]

Yeah, I went through that troubleshooter where they tell you to try to print with Notepad, but that didn't work. I even ran a virus check (even found a Trojan virus). The solution: switched printers....both work....go figure.

[deepsand]

I've had various similar problems with several models of HP multi-function devices, none of which were ever solved, with the result that I have, for several years now, declined to purchase or recommend any more.

And, I tell my clients that, should they not heed my advice, and purchase such on their own, they'll need to also purchase support from HP or a 3rd party if they want to keep it usable, because I will not touch it.

[cw1865]

I'll defer to your expertise with respect to the quality of one brand over another, but looking at them in the store today (I did not buy one), the sub-$200 market, the machines possess 'Fisher Price' quality, literally the quality of the Fisher Price toys I had when I was a kid. I remember the Japanese built Okidata dot matrix printers from the mid to late 80s. Dot matrix wasn't the best print quality, but break the thing? I don't think so....Nowadays, to be frank, they look like junk, they're built with junky plastic and they perform like it.

[deepsand]

For laser based devices, such as printers and fax machines, particularly where high duty cycles are involved, I prefer Okidata; they're built like tanks and have a high mean time between failures (MTBF). And, the toner prices are quite reasonable.

For low to medium duty use laser products, I use Dell. Reasonably solid construction, excellent MTBF, and decent toner prices.

For dot matrix (DM), to the extent that I can find them, I use refurbished Okidata Microline printers. For new DM products, it's a toss-up between Oki and Epson, with the latter generally winning out owing simply to the price differential.

If you're interested in refurbished Oki devices, look for an Oki authorized servicing dealer, as they frequently accept trade-ins which they then service as needed right in their own shop, and then resell.

Ink jets I avoid to the greatest extent possible, as they're so damned slow, the consumables will eat you out of house & home, and quality exists virtually in name only. Those I still come in contact with are single purpose HP printers; but, very old & discontinued models that were made to last.

As for the Fisher-Price quality, that's been the case at the low end for all hard copy devices ever since the office supply chains such as Staples, Office Depot & Office Max came on the scene. They "Wall Marted" that market sector long before Wall Mart became so ubiquitous. :-(

[edhan]

That's indeed strange problem and strange solution. I have a client who uses Vista 64-bit and always has the popup saying printer spooler has stopped. So he had to keep restarting the printer spooler in order to print.

So, just made a batch file to run whenever the error comes out.

[alphaomega]

Don't forget, printer driver will download and install updates, so if it did, the driver changed and you have problems. Do not allow automatic updates from Windows. Use only manufacturers driver. try to roll back driver and see if this solves your problem. Switching the printer wont work for long if this was driver problem. Only to the next updates.

[Rhys]

My word processing program regularly loses the HP printer and won't print unless you close out the program and reload it. Also you can't print through the network without getting mirror image print.
I am not impressed with HP!
I did like the old dot matrix. I used to print reams of paper at a reasonable cost, especially as I re-inked the ribbons. The ink jets are horribly expensive.

[alphaomega]

I am not impressed with HP!
I did like the old dot matrix. I used to print reams of paper at a reasonable cost, especially as I re-inked the ribbons. The ink jets are horribly expensive.
If you don't need colour for your word processor, buy a Kyocera Laser printer. Extremely cheap to run, reliable and will last you for many years. I had my first Kyocera laser for 6 years and still managed to sell it as a second hand. I can guarantee you will love it. You only replace toner, unlike others, which replace the fusing unit and drum. I highly recommend.
Look at this: http://usa.kyoceramita.com/americas/jsp/Kyocera/productdetails.jsp?pid=18731&cid=10555
for black and white or colour http://usa.kyoceramita.com/americas/jsp/Kyocera/productdetails.jsp?pid=19391&cid=10557

[leanback]

Wowl
I have had this problem for 2 days now, I give up. My HP 1350 PSC worked fine with my other pc, power supply zapped.
I downloaded firmware and drivers from HP website.
Windows add printer will not pick up drivers, when I try to select driver (pop up always shows either file too long
or there are 20 different drivers with this PSC functions.
I don't need scanner etc, just printer temporary.

I re installed, uninstalled 10 times + I still am unable to get the proper
driver to set up right.

Going back to download basic, which I have done many times+ with no luck.

I deleted all downloads started over, still driver is not right.... I did try to roll back driver, none found.
I'll get there..... ?

Thanks for info...

[leanback]

Hi Deepsand,
Your posts seem to hit my answer needed. The HP PSC a pain in the rear for too many days. A lesson learned.
However, I always think there is some way to fix it,....lol without buying another.
My HP PSC like new, a big upgrade from my GREAT simple deskjet 3740.....

I will most likely end up at Walmart tonight buying a 15.00 ink cartridge for my HP3740 and put the PSC in the corner... or TRASH....

I have learned for my next purchase.

Thanks again,

[deepsand]

However, I always think there is some way to fix it, ...
HP's "All-in-One" series disabused me of that notion. ;)


My HP PSC like new, a big upgrade from my GREAT simple deskjet 3740.
Or, so it seemed at the time. Now, it's the old and simple to the rescue.

[deepsand]

Hey i do have the similar prob. my friend helped me in this .... thanks...
What Model HP printer?

And, what was the solution?