Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Printer Communications

0 helpful
6 replies

by kcav

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

To track a printing problem I rebooted, clicked on the printer's icon and printed a test page. It worked.

Next, I attempted to print a 4 page document. The first page printed, then it stopped printing and said, Error found when printing the document to USB0001. I responed by clicking Cancel. The Printer Window emptied.

Next, I requested the printer to print pages 2-4. The request went to the printer, but the printer did not print; requested deletion. This changed the document's status from Printing to Deleting, but the job was not deleted from the Printer Window.

Next, I went to Services and Stopped/Started the Print spooler; then Closed/Opened the Printer Window, this emptied the Window. I clicked Proprties, Print Test. In the Printer Window it said Printing Test,but it did not print.

What would cause this behavior? It seems to me when the need arises for the printer to communicate back to the spooler, the operation fails and the printer is waiting for the spooler to send it data.

If this is the problem what would cause it to happen? Could it be the USB hub fails to recognize a request from the printer requesting the USB port to change modes from data transmit to Interrupt? How can I monitor what is happening step-by-step as it occurs?

6 replies

by sgt_shultz

wow, you sound like a born techie.
i don't know how to monitor what is happening on usb. but, it is serial so i bet you could monitor it with breakout box and terminal program??anyway, there is lots and lots of troubleshooting you can do to find fix. see microsoft knowlegebase article 242062-'troubleshooting usb'
(what model printer is this?).
do other usb devices function ok?
do you have any other usb device on 'chain' w/printer?
i can't remember all what was in that article but here is some i think:
latest printer driver and usb 2.0 drivers
no bangs etc in device manager
try turning off bi-di
try EMF instead of RAW
try parallel to see if any errors that way
check to see what version BIOS and chipset drivers you are using.
your error always repeatable? bombs after one printer attempt (or a few, but always stays 'bombed' after error until reboot. that sounds to me like software problem. i would check out mfg website for printer if no joy after tshooting per support.microsoft.com article:
242062 General USB Troubleshooting in Windows 2000

by kcav

Some people were born with the ability to write a symphony, but not me. I was born Lucky, Little Ole Me. For instance, today I found the solution to the problem I have been having with my printer. You were right it was not the USB hub after all, it was the driver. Your questions and comments are interesting.

I have setup two computers that I operate from a console connected to a KVM switch. Each has a USB hub and in all there are six USB devices connected. I really do not know how well they communicate through the USB ports. But I would like to know.

The two devices that concern me the most are a Seagate, Travan 20GB tape, my dial-up connection to the Internet transferred data was faster than it, and I have an analog-to-digital converted with VCR and camcorder connected to it. All I know is it creates an avi file in the same time as it takes to watch the movie.

Thank you for your help, and I hope you will keep an eye out for my questions.

by w2ktechman

I would look for an updated printer driver and/or test it plugged into the system (instead of a USB Hub). I have heard that USB printers do not function well with USB Hubs, but usually work fine in a USB slot on the system.

by kcav

As you suggested I disconnected the USB hub from the computer and plugged the printer directy into the computer. Then I tried to print the same four page document. The first page printed, and it stopped printing. So the problem is not caused by the USB hub, its the driver!

Next I went to the Lexmark folder on my Programs list, and found a file called Contact, or something like that. I clicked on it and was asked what operating system I was running. I actually run two operating systems, but I said Windows 2000 because that is the host. In addition to a driver theat runs with five operating systems, including Windows 2000, they have a custom driver for Windows 2000. I installed it, and once again tried to print my four page document. This time the entrie document printed. Problem solved.

Thank you for your help.

This discussion is closed to new replies.