printing problem

[StackOverflow]

I have an xfx KT400ALH mobo which has suddenly started having printer problems. The printer (HP all in one) prints a few random characters at the top of a page and goes to the next sheet of paper. i have to stop it or it will print this rubbish for ages.
I have reinstalled windows thinking it was some driver conflict.. reset the bios to defaults and even upgraded the bios .. all to no avail.. Also tried an epson 760 and it prints the same garbage. So its not the cable at fault or the printers. i'm at a loss .. anyone know what else i could try ??

regards

[robbie]

Sounds like you might have corrupted the driver. I would uninstall the printer (just delete it) and reinstall it. Check HP's website for a new updated driver and use that.
Rob

**edit* when ever I have this on a customers box this is what I usually do and it seems to work just fine.

[Aedan]

USB or parallel connection? If it's a parallel connection, it's possible that the parallel port on your machine might have been damaged somehow.

Stupid question - You're sure you're using the driver for the printer?

[StackOverflow]

i thought at first it was a corrupt driver.. but reinstalling windows should have sorted that out.. its a parallel port by the way. Both printers are detected by windows xp and the drivers install without a hitch. I'm starting to think the port is damaged somwhow now. I am going to try adding a parallel port pci card. hopefully that should to the trick !

[StackOverflow]

Originally Posted by robbie

Sounds like you might have corrupted the driver. I would uninstall the printer (just delete it) and reinstall it. Check HP's website for a new updated driver and use that.
Rob

**edit* when ever I have this on a customers box this is what I usually do and it seems to work just fine.

Yeah i tried deleting and reinstalling the drivers .. for both printers. The HP site said to use the drivers that are with xp so no update was available. I'm convinced its not a driver issue now. No amount of fiddling in the bios has changed the print output. I will see if a parallel port pci card changes things.
I certainly hope so !

[StackOverflow]

it turned out to be the parallel port on the motherboard that was faulty. A parallel port installed to a pci slot and now both printers work fine.. no idea why the port suddenly went but the system is working fine with the onboard parallel port disabled .. happy ending !

[Aedan]

Be a little cautious in the future with the board you currently have - the chip that handles the parallel port also handles the serial ports, the floppy drive and the PS/2 keyboard and mouse sockets.

[robbie]

I'd replace your cable.
Rob