Printer offline problem in Win98

[kneurotik]

Hi there,

I am using a Canon BJC-6000 printer with Win98 2nd edition. The problem is that whenever I send any print jobs to be spooled, windows claims that the printer is not responding and that it is offline.

However, it is distinctly online and in perfect working condition. Also, windows is unable to recognize/detect my scanner, which is a Canon FB630P. Both printer and scanner have been working well for about 2 years and the problem just suddenly occured.

I have tested the printer and scanner on another computer and both works. I have replaced the printer cable and have also re-installed both drivers. The problem still remains.

Then, I reinstalled win98 2nd edition and all of my other programs and both the printer and scanner work! However, the happiness was shortlived as the same problem returned!

Can anyone please help me?

[BipolarBill]

Are they both USB?

Open System Information (MSINFO32.EXE) and navigate to Hardware Resources > IRQs. Click anywhere in the right pane and then press CTRL-A and then CTRL-C. You have copied that data to the clipboard. Paste that data in a reply here.

[kneurotik]

Nope, they are both non-USB, using the parallel printer LPT1 port.
There are also no hardware conflicts whatsoever...

Nevertheless, here's the info I got following your instructions:

0 System timer
1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2 Programmable interrupt controller
3 Communications Port (COM2)
4 Communications Port (COM1)
5 (free)
6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller
7 Printer Port (LPT1)
8 System CMOS/real time clock
9 Creative VIBRA 128
9 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
9 SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
10 VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
10 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
11 3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC (3C905B-TX)
11 3dfx Voodoo3
11 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 Numeric data processor
14 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
14 VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller
15 Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15 VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller

[kneurotik]

I was snooping ard and found that Unidriver (UNIDRV.DLL) and Gen drv (GENDRV.DLL) are not installed. Could it have anything to do with these files?

I picked up this info from MSINFO32.EXE. If this is the problem, then how can I install these files?

[BipolarBill]

I wouldn't bother with those.

So these two are "piggy-backed"? Scanner between? If so, either the scanner drivers or the scanner itself is likely the problem. I would uninstall them completely and reinstall. Try the printer alone on the port. In Properties for the printer > Details, make sure that the printer port is the LPT port and not the scanner.

You could also try one of these to separate the two:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=279726

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=271773

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=1999&pcount=&Product_Id=122718&Section.Section_Path=%2F%2FRoot%2FUSB%2FPCProducts %2FAdapters%2F#

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=319644/blsrt=1/ut=18a04c6a7a7d6b10/

If the scanner is the first link in the chain, the scanner is the problem.

[kneurotik]

Yup, these two are "piggybacked" and the scanner is the first link in the chain. From the LPT1 port, the cable links to the scanner. Then from the scanner itself there links a cable to the printer.

I did try removing the scanner and connecting the printer direct to the LPT1 port, followed by uninstalling both drivers and reinstalling just the printer driver, but it doesn't work. I did this because I also suspected that the scanner was the culprit....

Unfortunately it doesn't seem so. Also, after I reinstalled Win98 and both printer and scanner drivers, BOTH scanner and printer were functioning normally even though they are still piggybacked.
Then, in a matter of days, the problem returned without me fiddling with any other settings nor installing new software.

Could it be a virus?

But I must really thank you, BipolarBill, for bothering to help me at all. Your kindness is truly appreciated.

:)

[BipolarBill]

Connect each individually (to the PC) and see which works and which doesn't. Printers do die. :(

[kneurotik]

Both do not work now (when individually connected to PC).
However, both work on a different PC (individually or piggybacked)

[ukulele]

Maybe your LPT1 port is bad. It could be a bad connecter on the board. You could as a last resort install a second LPT port in a PCI or ISA slot. The cards are pretty cheap.

[BipolarBill]

Possible. The cable may be bad too (more likely). Let's mess around a little more.

Boot into BIOS setup. To do that, you normally prss DEL, F2, F10 or F12 (check the screen - it should have a prompt tell you what to prees to enter Setup). In there, find Integrated Peripherals. If you don't have that, just check each entry 'till you find the LPT port. Change it to ECP. Don't worry about resources.

Reboot and press F8 repeatedly until you get a menu. Select Safe Mode. Enter Safe Mode and go to Device Manager. Now check each category and remove all duplicates and anything you know is old and gone. Remove all Ports.

Restart normally and check the printer alone. Try another cable - borrow one if you must.

Let us now.

BTW - which Windows version is this?

[kneurotik]

Okay, I have done as instructed. After changing the parallel port to ECP mode in BIOS, i entered safe mode and there were 2 ports there: LPT1 Printer Port and ECP Printer Port. I removed both and rebooted.

Upon restarting, Windows detected new hardware and automatically installed software for the ECP port. Now the LPT1 printer port has the words "ECP" next to it.

Unfortunately the printer still doesn't work. I uninstalled all the printer-related programs and reinstalled only the printer driver (without the scanner programs and driver) but the same error surfaces.

All throughout these procedures, I disconnected the scanner and linked my printer direct to the LPT1 port. (No more piggybacking)
Also, I bought a new cable and tried with that, but the problem was not solved.

I guess it's not a hardware thing, although a faulty LPT1 port might be the answer. Then again, if it's faulty, why should a reinstall of Windows temporarily solve the problem? I have been using Windows 98 2nd edition all this while.

[BipolarBill]

Long road, no?

Have you tried the printer on another PC?

[kneurotik]

Oh yeah.... you said it... it's been a long road!
Have been spending loads of time trouble shooting to no avail.

Have tried it on another PC and it works properly.

[BipolarBill]

If neither device works on the LPT port, I would pick up the $20 parallel port PCI card at CompUSA and slap it in. Either the port is shot or Windows needs reinstalling. The card will get you runnign at least.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=279726

Don't forget to disable the onboard port in BIOS.