Posted by Susan/CA on 10/28/11 11:04pm
Msg #402152

Printer issues-- NEED HELP.

First of all thank you to those that responded when I asked about the Brother printer drivers. I was able to find them and install them, however, the printer never worked. Now I am having problems with my HP that I unplugged to try and hook up my Brother (while I waited for the my ink shipment to arrive) printer. Now my HP won't work either. I lights up and appears ready to go, but when I send a document to the printer it says "Error." Thank gosh I have a 3rd printer, however, that one requires me to sit and babysit it (long story). I have tried everything I could think of to get my HP working again. I have unplugged it for a while, then plugged it back in, I have tried un-hooking it from the back of the computer and hooking it back up. I have tried rebooting my computer, I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it. Nothing is working...I am at my wits end...can anyone give me any other ideas?

Thanks so much....

Susan

Reply by Harry [NR] on 10/29/11 2:20am
Msg #402153

Assuming they're all USB printers, you have tried a different cable, right? And is that cable running directly to the computer, or to a USB hub? If you're using a hub, try direct just to eliminate that.

Harry

Reply by HisHughness on 10/29/11 10:06am
Msg #402157

Please note the above post

Harry not only provides us with forii for discussing professional issues, politics, and the latest jokes. He doesn't just sell us the best notarial supplies available at the best prices to be found. He's not just someone gives us fax lines and evaluations of possible hiring parties. He doesn't just offer us schooling on how to be a notary, a means of advertising our services, a method to communicate with each other, and insurance for our homes, cars, motorcycles, boats and lighter-than-air aircraft.

Nope, that's not all that Harry does. Harry also provides us -- free -- with expert techie advice on any miscellaneous computer problem we might have. Heck, if you're in Iowa or any of the adjacent states, he probably would come out and do it for you himself.

And if you are a pregnant NotRotter, and need a lamaze partner...hey, Harry's your man.

Thanks, Harry.

Reply by desktopfull on 10/29/11 6:49am
Msg #402154

Have you gone into your printers and set your default printer?

Reply by LarryNY on 10/29/11 8:20am
Msg #402155

Check your print spooler. You may have tried many times to print and these jobs are potentially queued up preventing others from printing. Delete all pending jobs and try again.

Reply by Susan/CA on 10/29/11 11:00am
Msg #402159

Harry, I am not sure what a HUB is. LOL...it is an older HP (4200) and I am using a USB & it is plugged in (using the large HUB I suppose which is plugged into the printer and the USB into the computer. :/ & Larry, yes I have deleted all the pending jobs.

Reply by Susan/CA on 10/29/11 11:01am
Msg #402160

Oh & desktopful yes, I keep setting it as my default printer.

Reply by OR on 10/29/11 11:59am
Msg #402163

Re: Printer issues-- NEED HELP. I would call

I would call HP tec support. They will fix the proublem. They ask questions that are relavent to your issue so the issue can be fixed. I love love love them for that.

Reply by OR on 10/29/11 12:01pm
Msg #402164

Re: Printer issues-- NEED HELP. I would call

I'd like to add.
Maybe you can find a chat box and chat a fix with them. Either way HP can do the job so check them out.

Reply by desktopfull on 10/29/11 12:19pm
Msg #402165

On the brother I had to delete it out of my programs and then reload once and that seemed to fix the problem. Make sure to do that with the printer disconnected from the computer and turned off.

Reply by RickG/CA on 10/29/11 12:38pm
Msg #402166

Have you tried to delete the non-working printers and re-installing.

If my memory serves correctly, big IF, you'll need to install the drivers prior to connecting the printers.

So, I would try deleting the printers. Disconnect the printers and Shut Down your computer (not restarting). Then, start your computer back up and reinstall the drivers, connect the printers and add printers.

Good luck

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/29/11 1:29pm
Msg #402168

Ditto what Rick said. n/m

Reply by TR/NC on 10/29/11 2:06pm
Msg #402170

Do a system recovery, meaning restore your computer to an earlier time.

Undo recent system changes, but it leaves files such as documents unchanged. This will remove
recently installed programs and drivers.

This can be found under control panel.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/29/11 10:25pm
Msg #402191

Late to the party ...

Sounds like your computer is having issues finding the printer ports .....

I am assuming you are using some version of windows. Uninstalling your print drivers and reinstalling should work, but first let me ask a few questions.

Have you accepted all windows updates?

Are all the programs on your computer up to date?

After you insure that is completed, have you scanned for spyware and viruses? They can block installation of drivers.

Have you done a hard re-boot after uninstalling the drivers? . By that I mean unplug it from the wall after shutdown. Some computer/power supply / mother board combinations can stay on a low power mode even when switched off in the conventional manner. The only way to ensure the memory is cleared out completely is to unplug it for a few minutes. Have you ever had the power go out at home and then some time later notice that your computer is running better? That's why.

Next try re-installing the drivers without the printer plugged into the computer. Only connect the USB cord when prompted by the installation program. If you leave it plugged in while installing the drivers, it will confuse the situation. Your problems sounds like this happened, but it's hare do know unless the computer is in front of me.

Be careful with using restore. That is an absolute last resort and you should only use it if everything you want to keep on your computer is backed up somewhere. While restore can reset you computer to a time where it worked, it can also re-set your settings to values that are not up to date if you have installed new software.

Good Luck.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 10/29/11 10:40pm
Msg #402192

Re: Late What Glen and all others have said, but

while these are all GOOD suggestions and trouble shooting options, we STILL do not know anything about the computer/ operating system you're trying to connect to. Desktop, laptop, operating system, WinXP home, professional, Vista, Win7 or even a MAC? Help us to help you please?

Reply by Susan/CA on 10/30/11 9:20am
Msg #402196

Re: Late What Glen and all others have said, but

I am going to try these suggestions. BrotherOwner my computer is a desktop, Windows 7, 64bit.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/30/11 11:46am
Msg #402200

Make sure you downloaded the 64 bid drivers ....

They are not the same as the 32 bit and the older printer may not have them available. That may be where your issue is.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/30/11 11:57am
Msg #402202

Windows 7 drivers not available on Brother site.

Now we get to the importance of specifying brand of computer and version of the operating system, in this case Windows 7 when asking for computer help.

According to the Brother site, you must get the windows 7 drivers from Windows update.

http://www.brother-usa.com/lp/windows7compatibility.aspx#.Tq2AKHLryuI

Since I am not running 7, the Microsoft site will not recognize my computer to see the update procedure. So you will be navigating that on your own unless another 7 owner can help.

Reply by Gavina Franklin on 10/31/11 12:13am
Msg #402227

Re: Late What Glen and all others have said, but

Forget about it! I changed my desktop also with window 7, my 2 HP 4100don’t work. I spent 1 month trying…I just give up and by another printer.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/31/11 2:11am
Msg #402229

HP 4100 Windows 7 drivers are available here



http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?pnameOID=29118&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=83436&cc=us

Reply by wv/or on 10/31/11 10:55am
Msg #402244

I have a hp 3650 that I bought used, so it did not come with original disks. I am pretty good at figuring out how to install printers, but I could not get mine to install. I worked on it for days, but could not get it to work. I took it (approximately 100 pounds) to a computer store and they got it to work. There is a certain sequence that hp printers have to be installed. Last month my computer crashed, and had to have my printer set up again. I paid the same guy to come and install my printer again. So, long story short, I would pay someone who does that type of stuff for a living to fix it. It will save you a lot of stress and time.

Reply by Susan/CA on 10/31/11 12:16pm
Msg #402258

Re: Printer issues-- NEED HELP--I'm back, nothing is working

I am sorry for the late response and I truly appreciate all the answers and suggestions howeever, I needed to walk away for a while (a day or two to be exact). I hope someone is still here to help. In the meantime I am going to look up the HP support number and try to reach someone there. I am however, open to any and all suggestions and recommendations.

You are right wv, this has caused me so much stress and time!

I would like to ask a question about the drivers. Do I uninstall the drivers? And if so, where do I find that & how do I know which to unistall? Secondly, when I went to the HP link for drivers which one do I install? I installed the PCL 6 driver but I am not sure if that was the correct one. Previously I intalled the 64 bit but after reading Glenn's response I tried the 64 bit. I am still not getting my printer to work.

I forgot to mention when I send a job to the printer it says "Data Received" but nothing happens. I think Glen is right and my computer and or printer is confused...very confused. I have had this happen in the past and just left my printer hooked up to the computer and one day it simply started printing again.

Reply by Susan/CA on 10/31/11 12:40pm
Msg #402260

Okay...something worked... IT'S WORKING!!! YAY!!!

Bless you all for your prompt, efficient and sincere support. You are all so very helpful, and for that I am truly grateful...

Have a great holiday for those who celebrate it and for those who don't just have a heck of a great day and an even better month!

Susan

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/31/11 2:41pm
Msg #402284

One thing I left out ......



Computers only know what they are told, and by going slow we can usually figure it out. However, about 10% of the problems can be attributed to "Voo-Doo". Or sometimes, it's just "F.M." that fixes the situation.

Hope it keeps working for you.

For future reference "Control Panel" is where you can go to uninstall programs and drivers.