Posted by Jan Marshall on 8/16/05 9:26pm
Msg #59537

printer or computer help!!!

Ok, I've now lost 3 jobs due to technical problems. I have an emachine (windows). I am now on my 4th printer, since May. I've lost 3 jobs now since I haven't been able to print docs from dynamicdox and/or checdocs.com. Hotline at Brother, just today suggested that I return the Brother I had and get the "5140". I run to Office Max, pick up the lastest and greatest 5140, come home, set it up and now I can only print out a "test page" and nothing else. What could be going on? Any help appreciated. Jan/Ca

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/16/05 9:33pm
Msg #59539

What kind of computer do you have (Intel Pentium/AMD) or how old is it?
What operating system does it run on (Windows 98/2000/XP)?
What do you have for internet connection (dial-up/dsl/cable)?
How do you connect the printer to your computer (parallel/USB)?
Did you install the printer using the CD that comes with it?

Reply by jan/ca on 8/16/05 9:38pm
Msg #59540

I have an emachine, it's about 1 1/2 yrs old, I just bought the Brother 5140 laser printer, installed the software, via cd that came with it. Using a USB cable. We have the DSL through our local cable company. I can only print out a "test page" at this point, can't even print out a simple word doc.

Reply by Glenn_CA on 8/16/05 9:57pm
Msg #59542

Unfortunately, I have heard this before. It may be your computer, not the printer. A friend of mine bought an emachine and it was a problem until we got the latest windows service pack in it. You still get what you pay for and when something is cheaper, it's usually for a good reason. If you go on tigerdirect.com, you can read the various messages about the different computers and get an idea about what is going on. Also, PC magazine is a good resourse.


I use a brother 5140 double tray with both my 7 year old desktop (windows 98se), and my new laptop (windows xp service pack 2) I have printd anything that has been thrown at me. My backup printer is an old hp 1012 that has some problems with pcl6 but I have a workaround I do to get it working with some programs.

Before you do anything, you need to make sure your computer is free of viruses and spyware.

I'll bet your emachine came with xp, service pack 1 and needs updating. Unfortunately, emachines, to save money use bios that aren't up to the task of updating to the latest xp. (upgrading is free from the windows website, but your computer has to be 100%) The first thing I would do us uninstall your printer and then go to windows update and get the latest updates for your operating system. But first call the emachine help line and give them your model number and they can tell you if you can update. They can send you a patch for the bios.

Next, load the software for your computer. Now I hope you are using the usb connection option. If you are using the "old fashioned" connection, stop what you are doing, go down and get the usb cable. The printer won't work properly otherwise. Once you load your software, turn off your computer, connect the printer then boot the computer. Should work. All you will have to do is set your printer preferences.

Good Luck.

Reply by jan/ca on 8/16/05 11:22pm
Msg #59555

I'm using the usb cable. I think you're right. It's probably the computer. It's almost 10pm here, I know I'll lose sleep over this.....Even called the Geek Squad, they can't come until Sat at 1pm.....very aggrevating. I didn't want to have to buy a whole new computer. I'll call emachine in the morning. Thanks

Reply by jan/ca on 8/16/05 11:27pm
Msg #59556

Also, I noticed that when I check the preferences, it keeps giving me the option of the Brother 2040 and not the Brother 5140 like I have ...... so I uninstalled and reinstalled and it still says the same thing. But when I look at the programs, it shows Brother 5140 printer. Odd.

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/16/05 11:42pm
Msg #59557

Did the test page printed from the computer or the printer itself? When you hooked up the printer, did you get a message on window saying "new hardware found" then it pops up the installation wizard?

I have to disagree with Glenn on the "old fashioned" way (parallel via IEEE1294 cable) of hooking up a printer. I have my 2 printers connect to a switch box using parallel cables and they worked just find. You might want to think twice before updating your window XP with the (annoying) service pack 2. Your computer should be find with sp1.

One possible problem could be in your windows print spool server (spoolsvr) where there may be one too many driver installed which caused a program conflict. It's not easy task to clean the spool server. Spoolsvr is also a name of an old trojan virus where your anti-virus program will reject/warn if you were to download a fix from Microsoft website.

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/16/05 11:47pm
Msg #59558

Easier fix is with Office 2003

Office 2003 has the resource pack where you can access the spool server and reset the registry.

Reply by Glenn_CA on 8/17/05 1:08am
Msg #59564

Re: Easier fix is with Office 2003

The best fix would get the computer to someone who can do hands on trouble shooting. I am afraid that us troubleshooting on a forum could get you into more trouble than you are now. I have helped dozens of people through problems with xpsp1. SP 2 changed the way windows xp operates and is a must for internet security and compatability. Anyone who is not up to date is going to have major problems sooner or later .. probably sooner. And the thing is, it's a free download from Microsoft.

Try one thing, though. Go into control panel, then printers and see if your printer is listed. If it is, make sure it is set as your default (there will be a checkmark on the icon). If it is not your default printer, then right click the icon and then left click as default. Then re-boot the computer with it plugged in. Then try printing something. A lot of printer manufactures put several drivers on one disk and it will give you a choice on which one to load, so you might want to double check that.

If you use adobe 7, there is also a patch on the Brother website that you need.

Good Luck.

Reply by jan/ca on 8/17/05 8:16am
Msg #59584

Re: Easier fix is with Office 2003

Well, it's 6:18am here. I just called Brother and they said I need to wait til 7am to contact the 2nd level support. I also have an appt with Geek Squad on Saturday. I just am tired of losing jobs because of my stupid printer/computer. I still like the calls I get to pick up the docs at the escrow company and overnight back to them ha!! Thanks for all the tips.