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Printer cannot communicate with computer

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11 replies

by mikemess2

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O/S Windows 2000 Prof.
Printer: Lexmark Z65
At some point, the above noted printer stopped printing. An error message stated: Printer cannot communicate with computer appeared. This printer is hooked to computer via USB port. The computer has several USB ports and each one was tried and still the message appears. I uninstalled and re-installed the Lexmark print drivers. Problem still exists. In one of the computer USB ports, a Sony digital camera is attached and works fine. This port was tried for the printer but also to no avail.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

11 replies

by g.brown

Have you tried downloading the latest drivers, it could be that you installed a windows update that stopped it from working.

by g.brown

The easiest thing to do is figure out whether it's a problem with the printer or the computer. If you can, try the printer on another computer, this should show you straight away which one it is.

by mikemess2

I've tried using this Printer with another computer and it worked fine. The same USB cable was used for both computers.

by mikemess2

I already tried this printer on another computer using the same USB cable and it worked fine.

by g.brown

OK, seeing as other USB devices work OK, and the printer's OK on another machine.
I'd unplug all USB devices, uninstall the printer driver, then boot into safe mode and do the following:

Go into the device manager, In the view Tab Select the Show Hidden Devices Option

Delete USB peripheral devices (Scanners, Printers, Cameras etc.)

Delete HID and/or Composite USB (Human Interface Devices)

Delete USB Root Hub(s) (Universal Host Controllers)

Delete USB Host Controller(s) (Universal Host Controllers)

Make sure that you don't plug the USB devices in yet

Reboot into normal windows, it will find all of the USB controllers again etc, and may ask to reboot, if it does, make sure you do.

Then install the software and when it asks, plug in your printer (only, no other USB devices until you know it is working).

by glyall

have you check your print spooler services.
it might be stopped. If not stop the print spooler and start it. This should help.

to check it from the start > run command enter
services.msc

good luck

by shaynasingh

please check whether the printer hardware is working or not.
if it is then u uninstall the printer and restart ur pc in msconfig(Start - Run - msconfig) Enter and put a dot next to sleective startup and uncheck load startup items and restart the pc and look for sumthing that says Found New Hardware and if u get it then ur USB drivers are fine and cancell that FNHW and download the updated drivers to ur desktop and save it and then run it. and then try printing.

by w2ktechman

I have had problems like this as well, this usualy fixes it.
one time I had to blow away the reg. entries for the printer as well, because it was holding a corrupt entry, and it would not be fixed by any amout of re-installs. It was traced to a program install.

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