PRINTER Wont print but NO Error Messages!

Info that might be useful
Windows 98 4.10.222 A
Upgrade using Select CD /SrcDir=C:\WIN98/IQ?U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 56.0.2800.1106
GenuineIntel x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 3 Intel MMX (TM) Technology
64 MB RAM 49% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drice C (4248MB free)
Available space on drive C: 4248 of 9756MB (FAT32)
Dial-up-connection
I have AVG, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster

Printer
Epson Stylus color 600

My printer wont print. It acts like it is printing but it has no error messages.

I have tried deleting all software and reinstalling but no result.
There is no printer appearing in the Hardware device even after I have installed the printer. I dont get it!

When I say it acts like......I mean it does everything that a normal pc does when it is printing......except print.
When I go to control panel and add/remove hardware it doesnt find anything except the modem .....but when i do it manually......it does all the right things.....I select printer
(it is in that list of hardware in the installation wizard but isnt in hardware devices when you look in control panel and system)
Epson and location of file and it goes thru the installation process as normal with no error messages at all. No matter which way I install the printer it does all the right process.
When I try to print (I have tried from different programs, word, internet, and test print) it spools and the printer window comes up and it says it is printing. But it doesnt.Strange isnt it.
I have attached snapshots of all things related to the printer. I hope this helps.
Thanks


Carolyn

 

Try disabling spooling. I had the same problem, and I had to disable spooling. Guess maybe the memory in the printer went bad.

 

Thanks for your reply
I am not sure how to disable spooling so I went into printer properties and spool settings and clicked on print directly to printer. Now when i hit print i get the error message Printer is off-line even after I changes the setting back
Any clues?

 

I just went into safe mode and the printer wont print in there either....but when i went into look at the printer the icn is faded and when I tried to print it said
Printer Cannot connect to this network printer. Make sure your network is working properly and the network share you are connected to exists. I am not on a network but the pc used to be on a network with this printer.
I went back into normal mode and installed a second printer and tried to print with no result and still no error messages.
Weird

 

Check for driver updates. And check the cable connections.

 

Yep they are all ok. I have the latest Epson drivers which I downloaded and installed yesterday.

Could this be something to do with the fact that I used to be connected to a network printer. Ok in Network Neighbourhood there are two icons one with entire network and the other with my name.....from when I was on a network.
There are no printers anywhere in there.

I appreciate you help and input
Carolyn

 

Does it pull the paper through, but there's nothing on the page? If so, did you check the ink cartridge? I'm not being snide, but...

 

Snide you are not!
No it doesnt pull the paper through at all.......only when i press paper feed
Carolyn.......Oh for it to a stupidity on my behalf......but i think there really is a problem lol

 

Is it a USB, or parallel port printer? The only other thing I know of, is a bad printer cable. If that's not it, I'm completely stumped. Anyone else have any Ideas?

 

It is a parallel port printer. I am stumped too. I think I have some serious problems happening with my pc. I need to borrow a printer from someone to see if it works I reckon. It is really strange. Thanks for your time anyway.
Carolyn

 

No problem, I've dealt with strange computers for a long time now. Let me know if you ever figure it out.

 

G'day
I learnt today about the epson self test.......u know the one where u take the cable out of the pc......turn the printer off but leave it plugged in. Then you push in the paper feed button whilst turning the printer on and hold until it starts doing something. Then it prints out a little test on the top of the page.
Happily this worked so I know that the printer itself is ok.
I am going to try a new cable tomorrow to see what that does.
I am learning heaps through all this by the way. It is great to have somewhere like this to ask questions and to read how you guys solve problems.
The time zone difference is a pain in the bum cos I usually have to wait for america to wake up before I get an answer....never mind.
thanks for your time
Carolyn

 

try disconnecting printer from computer while computer is off, boot up in safe mode, remove all instances of the printer, turn computer off, boot up and then try to install the printer.

also, since its parallel, you may need to change the parallel port settings in the bios. but try the above first.

 

Ok Tried all that. How do I do the bios stuff?
Many thanks
Carolyn
Love the chrissy hat

 

Hold a Key on the keyboard as it Starts up, you're bound to get a stuck key error message, asking if you want to go to setup. Might take a few tries, but it's less timing oriented than the standard method of trying to hit the delete key at a point in time.

 

have your tied forcing the paper in to see if it pulls it in

 

I have joined the forum today, and had to intended to post almost word for word the problem that you are having.

i would welcome what solutions worked for you?

jostonboe

 

just wanted to toss this out there .. had a similar problem in XP with my HP psc500.. it was on the wrong port. In printer settings (cut me slack been a while since 98) look for attached to port .. parallel is usually LPT1. Once I set that printing worked.