Summary: An older printer is connected parallel to a Windows based system, and prints incorrectly. It may not print at all, it may print total 'garbage' or partial control sequences, graphics may be distorted, or other printing problems.

Causes:

• Older printers default to the original CENTRONICS parallel specification, or variants. PC hardware advances, and changes in parallel implementation cause problems with these printers.
• The printer interface may be set to an incompatible mode.

Solutions: Read the following solutions completely to determine your operating system and the simplest solution. Solutions may be tried singly or together.

• Printer Setup
• Windows- all versions
  In the BIOS for the PC, change LPT port type from Enhanced to Standard
  Install and use a second parallel card. Most cards allow on-board settings to maintain compatibility.
• Windows 95, Windows 98
  Disable the bi-directional print support
  Change the printer port to use DOS printing services
  Change the printer properties from ECP to Standard
  Change the printer properties from ECP to Standard
• Windows NT 4.0
  Install Service Pack 4
• Windows 3.x
  Turn off Fast Printing Direct to Port
  Change the printer port to use DOS printing services

Printer Setup

• Ensure the printer is set to the desired interface- parallel, serial or network.
• Clear any incompatible memory settings by reseting the printer to factory defaults- refer to the printer documentation.
• Check the printer cable- reseat and replace as needed.
• Older GENICOM printers (3000 series, 4410, 4440, 4470, 4490, LineWriter) may default to Busy-by-Line. Refer to the printer documentation and set the interface to Busy-by-Character. Older printers, especially the LineWriter band printers may require a third-party interface adapter.
• Line printers with the optional DataProducts parallel interface are not compatibile with the CENTRONICS or IEEE-1284 parallel interface. Refer to printer documentation to set the printer to CENTRONICS mode.

Windows - all versions:

In the BIOS for the PC, change LPT port type from EPP to ECP, Enhanced, or Standard.

• To change your BIOS settings, refer to the user's manual for the PC. Most PC's enter the BIOS setup menu at boot-up by pressing a key sequence (typically DEL). Some PC's (most laptops) use a setup utility run from DOS or Windows.
• Once in the BIOS setup, set the LPT port to Standard. Most newer PC's default to enhanced, ECP, or EPP parallel port. Save the changes and exit the setup utility.
• After re-booting, the PC's printer port should be configured for standard parallel printing.

or

Install and use a second parallel card. Most cards allow on-board settings to maintain compatibility.

Windows 95, Windows 98

Change the printer port to use DOS printing services:

• Select Start | Settings | Printers.
• Select the desired printer, then select File | Properties.
• Select Details | Add Port
• Select Other | Local Port | OK - a dialog box will display "Enter a port name".
• Type LPT1.DOS in the box and select OK.
• Select OK.
• The port will show as LPT1.DOS unknown local port.

or

Disable the bi-directional print support:

• Select Start | Setting | Printers.
• Select the desired printer, then File | Properties.
• Select Details | Spool Settings.
• Choose Disable bi-directional support for this printer.
• Select OK.

or

Change the printer properties from ECP to Standard:

Windows 95, Windows 95A:

• Select Start | Settings | Control Panel.
• Select System | Device Manager | Ports(Com & LPT) icon.
• If ECP Printer Port (LPT1) is shown, this port needs to be changed to Printer Port (LPT1).
• Select LPT1, then select Properties
• Select the Driver tab.
• Select Change Driver.
• Select the Show All devices radio button.
• Under Manufacturers, scroll to the top menu and select Standard Port Types.
• Under models, select Printer Port, then select the OK.
• The Windows 95 disks or CD will be required to complete installation of the standard printer driver.
• Device Manager should now show Printer Port (LPT1).

Windows 95B, Windows 95C, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE:

• Select Start | Settings | Control Panel.
• Select System | Device Manager | Ports.
• If ECP Printer Port (LPT1) is shown, this port needs to be changed to Printer Port (LPT1).
• Select ECP Printer Port | Properties.
• Select the Driver tab.
• Select Update Driver.
• The dialog "Do you want Windows to Search for the Driver?" appears.
  Choose NO, then Next.
• The dialog "Which driver do you want to search for?" appears.
  Choose Original Driver, then select Next.
• Select Show All Hardware.
  Choose Printer Port, then select Finish.
• The Windows CD may be required to complete installation of the standard printer driver.
• Restart Windows- the the PC's printer port should be configured for standard parallel printing.

Windows NT 4.0

The CENTRONICS handshake in parallel.sys is too aggressive for some older devices. This can be corrected by applying Service Pack 4 or greater.

Windows 3.x

Turn off Fast Printing Direct to Port:

• Select Program Manager | Main Control | Control Panel | Printers.
• Select the desired printer.
• Select Connect.
• Unselect Fast Printing Direct to Port.
• Select OK.

or

Change the printer port to use DOS printing services:

• Select Program Manager | Main Control | Control Panel | Printers.
• Select the desired printer.
• Select Connect.
• Under Ports, select LPT1.DOS.
• Select OK.

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