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Computer won't boot

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9 replies

by daz'n'ash

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I have a friend with a problem that needs a quick answer and a quick fix. The problem is this, the computer will not start up if both the modem and printer is plugged into their correct places. We have already checked the PCI cards and ports are plugged into the mainboard correctly and they are all fine. We have tried restarting the computer a number of times, and only sometimes it will actually start with both modem and printer plugged in, so therefore the problem seems to be caused by the printer. We do know that the printer is correctly installed, and no error or conflict messages appear. This same printer has been successfully installed with another computer and all works as it should. Can anyone figure out this problem effectivelyand quickly for us?

9 replies

by rjager

a few pointers:

- what OS??? This is relevant!
- is it a printer with active monitoring software ( like canon or HP)? Try the default Microsoft drivers first and Not the cdrom/floppy that came with the printer. Also check your BIOS if the parallel port is configured properly..

by daz'n'ash

Thank you for responding to my question, but we have already checked the things you suggested and all seems to be in order, the OS is win98se and the printer is Lexmark Z32 which windows does not have defaut drivers for. If you think of anything else, please feel free to share them.

by thechas

You say both the printer and Modem plugged in!
Is the Modem an external modem?
What port is each device connected to?

If the modem is a serial device, and the printer a parallel device, then I would suspect that the BIOS has been set to assign the same IRQ to both devices.
You need to go into setup on boot, and check the settings for the integrated periphials.
Make sure that the Comm and Lpt ports have different IRQs and port addresses.

If both devices are USB, you may have a hardware conflict. If the mother board has a second USB hub, get the appropriate connector, and try connecting one device to each USB channel.

If the modem is a PCI card, try it in a different slot. Different PCI slots share IRQs with different systemdevices. So, installing the modem in a different slot should eliminate the conflict with the printer.

by matthew

is your drivers properly installed and check your bios is the port installed fully

by daz'n'ash

We have ensured that the software has been correctly installed, and that being no different to another computer which the printer works perfectly.

by d_v ant

Are both devices USB? WIll the computer even complete POST or are you getting an error when Windows starts? Will the PC boot with one or the other plugged in or does the printer sometimes cause problems by itself? If both devices are USB, you can try a powered USB hub. It may be that one device or the other isn't getting a strong enough signal. What version USB does this PC have and are both devices the same? Can the printer be hooked to the LPT port or is it strictly USB. You said the printer works correctly on another PC, what about the modem? What about both devices together on a different PC? You may try upgrading the BIOS on the motherboard, that has solved some USB incompatibilities on some models.

by daz'n'ash

Both devices are NOT USB, the printer is LPT1 and the modem on com port 1. The modem works fine with the computer I am asking about. The PC will sometimes boot with both devices plugged in and most times it will not. Both the printer and modem will not cause a problem when installed exactly the same on another PC. Thank you for your help, I think you are correct in what you suggest, my friend needs to upgrade the motherboard. I appreciate your help. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my question.

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