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Windows XP Printing Problem via Router

By Halfpint ·
Hi,

I have a small peer network based around a D-Link DI-824-VUP router that includes a print server with an HP Deskjet 930c attached on a parallel port.

Several Windows XP Pro computers use this printer without any problems. The setup involves adding a PRTmate port (installer provided by D-Link) to each connected PC or laptop and then adding the HP Deskjet 930c as a local printer directed to the PRTmate port instead of LPT or USB.

A new PC just installed fails at the Print Test Page stage evenually giving a failed to print error. It also will not print even a simple text file. The print job or printer is then difficult to delete without rebooting. I've also had the 'Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close' error, but not every time.

I've tried with Windows and NVidia firewalls both turned on. The user is a Computer Administrator, although for some reason I lost the Administrator logon when I created a this new user with administrator rights (not sure if this is normal or might be the problem?).

After hours of googling any ideas on resolution or debugging would be appreciated.

Martin

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by sgt_shultz In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

I wonder if simple file sharing needs to be turned off. Control Panel/Folder Options/View/last entry at bottom of list
i think you did not 'lose' the administrator account, i think Control Panel/Administrators Tools/Users and Groups and you will see the account is still there. You just lost if from the welcome screen, it doesn't display the administrator account as an option if there is another account on the system.
You meant you tried it with both firewalls off, right? and the printer is not paused, yes?
I would start by seeing if i could ping the print server. You may have basic network connectivity problem. How is web surfing or network browsing from this box?

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by Halfpint In reply to

Thanks - I thought turning off the 'simple file sharing' had solved it, but unfortunately not! Final solution in comments.

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by HAL 9000 Moderator In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

How many computers are involved here?

If it is above 10 that would be exceeding the upper limit of Consecutive connections available with XP Pro and could be the cause of your problem.

As for the Admin Account I would tend to go with the previous poster and just seem to think that it no longer appears rather than actually loosing it. But if you have exceeded 10 concurrent connections of XP that could be causing problems as well. If you need to go to a greater number than 10 concurrent connections you should be running a Domain with a Server configured to run the system and then allow the XP computers to access the printer as required through the server.

Col

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by Halfpint In reply to

Thanks - I dare say before long we will have to look at setting up a 'proper' network with dedicated file and print servers.

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by Halfpint In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

Tried turning off 'simple file sharing' and immediately the printer started working - but after a reboot I'm back to where I was before whether 'simple file sharing' is on or off. However, this may give more of a clue?

Have tried with both firewalls off (at the same time). Network access and Internet connectivity are fine. I've had an occassional BSOD (blue screen of death).

I have another problem printing from 'The Gimp for Windows' to and Epson 1290 A3 printer also connected to this PC via USB. Everything but Gimp prints OK and searching the web I see that problems with the Gimp for Windows are common. I just wonder whether the two problems could be related, i.e. The Gimp is also causing the problem with the HP printer on the PRTmate port?

Martin

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by Halfpint In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

Not up to the ten limit yet - we're currently at seven with four showing in 'View Workgroup Computers' at this time.

Martin

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by Toivo Talikka In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

The limit of 10 concurrent connections comes into play if the printer is connected locally to a Windows XP workstation and then shared. The D-Link router/print server should not have such a limitation - we hope.

Personally I prefer 'horses for courses' approach and would keep a print server totally separate from a wireless (?) router like your D-Link any day.

You may find that connecting your printer to a separate print server is a cost effective solution. Sharing the printer on Windows XP workstation is a way to solve the problem if the limitation of 10 concurrent connections is not going to be exceeded. Otherwise it is best to install a printer with its own network port and then print directly to the printer.

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by Halfpint In reply to

Thanks - decided in the end to move the printer away from the D-Link router.

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by Halfpint In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

Reverted to setting up the trusty old HP Deskjet 930c as a shared local printer on a USB cable. We don't turn off this particular PC (which is our 'Server'), so it's not really a problem. Thanks for the ideas though - I've learnt a few things along the way.

Martin

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by Halfpint In reply to Windows XP Printing Probl ...

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