How to fix my printer?

Question

printer wont print. I have probably pushed too many buttons? Could we get back to the basic settings? I know zilch about printers computers-can fix?

Answer

This question was answered on December 27, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

If the printer is printing out strange characters, then it is likely that the PC is printing to the "wrong" printer or the driver is incorrect. Even a slight difference in the model number could make all the difference -- if you have a HP DeskJet 640C, then make sure the printer is installed as a 640C and not a 650C.

If you have more than one printer installed on the PC, make sure that the application (e.g. Microsoft Word) is selecting the correct one -- click on File > Print and check the Name box. If it's wrong, select the printer by using the drop-down list.

Can't see the printer icon in the system tray? Open the printer properties by going to Start > Settings > Printers and faxes. The printer should be listed there. If it's the printer that you normally print to then it should be marked with a tick to indicate that it's the default printer. Right-click on it, and click "Set as default printer" if it isn't.

Right-click on the printer name and select Properties. Try printing a test page -- click the "Print test page" button. Check all the properties you can see. Is it printing to the correct port? Modern printers will have both a parallel port or a USB port connection. Make sure the port indicated is the correct one (parallel cables have a wide connector, USB is slim). If it's a parallel connection, then the port will normally be LPT1.

If the printer's not listed, then try reinstalling it -- click on "Add a printer," and follow the wizard. You may need the installation disk that came with the printer. If Windows can't find a suitable driver (software that the computer needs to be able to "talk" to the printer) then you can usually find one on the manufacturer's Web site – see its support pages or its drivers or downloads pages.

Author

Posted by Kareem of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on December 27, 2004