Known printer issues for upgrading to Windows ME...

What are the known printer issues with upgrading to Windows ME (Millennium Edition)?

This question was answered on September 9, 2000. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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According to the printers.txt file that is included in Windows ME, here are the known printer issues:

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CONTENTS

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PRINTING OVER A NETWORK

TRUETYPE FONT AVAILABILITY FOR PRINTING

CANON COLOR BUBBLE-JET SUPPORT

FARGO PRIMERA AND PRIMERA PRO SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET 400 SERIES, 500 SERIES,

600 SERIES, 700 SERIES, AND 800 SERIES PRINTER

SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET PORTABLE 310 AND 320

PRINTER SUPPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET 340, 1000C, 1100C, AND 1120C

PRINTER SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD OFFICEJET PRO 1150C SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD PRINTER/SCANNER/COPIER SERIES 300 SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD PHOTOSMART PHOTO PRINTER SUPPORT

HEWLETT-PACKARD LASERJET PRINTER SUPPORT

QMS JETSCRIPT BOARDS

LASERMASTER PRINTER SUPPORT

NEC SILENTWRITER SUPERSCRIPT 610

PANASONIC KX-P 6100, KX-P 6300, KX-P 6500 PRINTERS

SUPPORT FOR LEXMARK MARKVISION AND CUSTOM

PRINTER DRIVERS

AUTO PRINT INSTALLER ISSUES

PRINTING WITH INTERNET PRINTING PROTOCOL

----------------------------------------------------

NOTE: For any given printer, the printer drivers provided

with Windows Me are generally preferable to drivers included

with previous versions of Windows However, you might want

to consult the printer manufacturer to determine the best

printing solution for your printer.

=======================

PRINTING OVER A NETWORK

=======================

By default, Windows Me uses the network path as the port

designation for network printers Because this is slightly

different from the path used in Windows 3.1 and some programs,

you might have problems A network path (also known as a UNC

name) typically appears in the following format:

\\server\printqueue

However, network paths in Windows Me tend to be longer than

their Windows 3.1 equivalents, which creates problems for

some programs If you experience problems, you can revert

to the Windows 3.1 method of addressing network resources

Some programs may experience similar difficulties if the network

path contains a space character This problem can be resolved

if you revert to the Windows 3.1 method of addressing network

resources or if you change the network path so it does not

contain spaces For help with changing the network path name,

see your network administrator.

Problems Printing to PostScript Printers

Over a NetWare Network

----------------------------------------

If you have trouble printing to a PostScript printer over a

NetWare network, separator pages (also called banner pages)

may be configured incorrectly on the NetWare server Unless

separator pages are configured correctly on the NetWare server,

they cause errors and nothing prints To solve this problem,

you can try one of the following:

- Disable separator pages by clearing the Separator Page check

box in the Printer Properties dialog box.

- Ask your network administrator to configure separator pages

correctly for a PostScript printer on the NetWare server.

Unwanted Separator Pages on a

NetWare Network from MS-DOS Programs

------------------------------------

If you clear the Separator Page setting (described in the

previous section) and you still receive unwanted separator

pages when you print from MS-DOS programs, change the port

designation for the printer from the network path (UNC)

name to the captured port

To change the printer port designation port:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

2 Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and

then click Properties

3 Click the Details tab.

4 In the Print To The Following Port box, click the LPTx

(\\Server\Printqueue) entry, and then click Apply.

This is the LPT port you have captured.

5 Click Capture Printer Port, and then click OK

6 Clear the Separator Page setting as described in the previous

section.

=======================================

TRUETYPE FONT AVAILABILITY FOR PRINTING

=======================================

TrueType fonts are not usually available on inkjet printers

with lower resolutions (75 to 150 dpi) This limitation does

not apply to laser and dot-matrix printers TrueType fonts

are also not available when you use the Generic/Text Only

printer driver.

==============================

CANON COLOR BUBBLE-JET SUPPORT

==============================

You may notice some printing differences in the Windows Me

drivers for the Canon Color Bubble-Jet (BJC) printers if you

upgrade from an earlier version of Windows As part of the

Windows Me installation, the Canon BJC-70, BJC-600, BJC-600e,

BJC-800, and BJC-4000 drivers from Windows 3.1 are automatically

upgraded to Windows Me drivers because earlier versions do not

work with Windows Me

For information about updated driver availability, contact your

local Canon representative (or refer to the "Where to Find More

Help" section of your printer's manual).

=====================================

FARGO PRIMERA AND PRIMERA PRO SUPPORT

=====================================

Some older versions of the Fargo Primera and Primera Pro printer

drivers do not operate correctly under Windows Me The Fargo

Primera requires version 4.3 or later, and the Primera Pro

requires version 2.7 or later To obtain either of these drivers,

contact Fargo's Bulletin Board System or its technical support

at the numbers listed in your printer documentation.

======================================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET 400 SERIES, 500 SERIES,

600 SERIES, 700 SERIES, AND 800 SERIES PRINTER SUPPORT

======================================================

Windows Me Default Driver Support

---------------------------------

After you install Windows Me, you may see poor print quality

or you may lose some functionality on your DeskJet printer If

this happens, delete the installed DeskJet driver and get the

latest driver from the Hewlett-Packard Web site at:

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/eschome.html

Download the appropriate driver for your printer, and then

follow the installation instructions.

Get New Drivers for Your HP DeskJet Printer

-------------------------------------------

The recommended drivers for HP DeskJet printers are available

at http://www.hp.com/cposupport/eschome.html.

Drivers for the DeskJet 660C, 68XC, 69XC, 850C, 855C, and 870C

models are available in Windows Me in the \Drivers\Printers

folder The drivers in this directory are English only, and

may not work properly on some localized versions of Windows Me.

The Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me driver that shipped

in your printer box will also work correctly in Windows Me.

To install your HP DeskJet printer driver:

The simplest and most complete method of installation is to

run the Setup.exe program that comes with your HP DeskJet

driver For more information, see the instructions that came

with your driver.

============================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET PORTABLE 310 AND 320

PRINTER SUPPORT

============================================

The recommended drivers for these printers are included as

a standard part of the Windows Millennium Edition operating

system Follow the standard Windows printer installation

process for these printers, using the drivers that came with

your CD or floppy disks.

===================================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD DESKJET 340, 1000C, 1100C and 1120C

PRINTER SUPPORT

===================================================

To make full use of the capabilities of your DeskJet 340,

1000C, 1100C or 1120C, please use a Windows Me-compatible

printer driver If you do not have one or if you have problems

during installation, you can find more information at the

following the Web site:

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/eschome.html

===========================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD OFFICEJET PRO 1150C SUPPORT

===========================================

If You Installed the Microsoft Me Default Drivers

-------------------------------------------------

After installing the default drivers that came with Windows Me,

you will lose scanning functionality on your OfficeJet Pro 1150C

To resolve this problem, delete the Microsoft OfficeJet Pro 1150C

printer driver from the printers folder and install the Windows

95 driver that shipped with your OfficeJet Pro 1150C.

Upgrading from Windows 95 or Windows 98 to Windows Me

-----------------------------------------------------

If you have upgraded to Windows Me from Windows 95 or Windows 98,

the Scan Picture function of your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C may not

work with some programs If you experience a problem, uninstall

your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C software and then reinstall the

Windows 95 software that shipped with your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C.

How to Install Your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C Printer Driver

---------------------------------------------------------

You can install your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C driver software using

any of the supported methods in Windows Me The simplest and most

complete method is to carry out the following steps:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2 Click Printers, and then click Add Printer.

3 Click Local Printer, and then click Next.

4 Click Have Disk, and then specify the path to your CD-ROM

drive or wherever you saved the downloaded driver.

See the software installation instructions that came with your

device for Windows 95 or Windows 98; the same instructions apply

for Windows Me.

If You Do Not Have the CD that Came

with Your HP OfficeJet Pro 1150C

-----------------------------------

You can download the latest Win 9x driver from the Hewlett-

Packard Web site at http://www.hp.com/go/officejet-pro

Download the appropriate OfficeJet Pro 1150C driver and

follow its installation instructions.

======================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD PRINTER/SCANNER/COPIER

SERIES 300 SUPPORT

======================================

Windows Me Software Updates or Software Replacement

---------------------------------------------------

To determine whether software updates are available for Hewlett-

Packard printer, scanner, or copier products, please refer to

the following Hewlett-Packard Web site, or contact the nearest

Hewlett-Packard Support Center for more information:

http://www.hp.com/go/all-in-one

For replacement software, contact your nearest Hewlett-Packard

Support Center To locate the nearest Hewlett-Packard Support

Center, see the documentation that came with your product.

================================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD PHOTOSMART PHOTO PRINTER SUPPORT

================================================

Windows 95 to Windows Me Upgrade Process

----------------------------------------

The Windows 95 or Windows 98 driver software that shipped

in your printer box also works correctly in Windows Me If

the driver software is already installed on your computer,

it should be ready to use.

How to Install Your HP PhotoSmart Photo Printer Driver

------------------------------------------------------

Use the Setup.exe program to install the driver software either

from the driver software CD or from the temporary location of

the downloaded Web version Do not use the Plug and Play or

Add Printer wizard.

Troubleshooting Install Error Messages

--------------------------------------

If you get a message that begins "Error finding LST file," click

Ignore and complete the installation Because of changes to the

Windows Me file system, you won't be able to access the

multimedia presentation without getting a newer version of the

driver from the Web.

If you get a message that reads "The file or folder

'REMIND.EXE'.. cannot be found," click OK and complete the

installation This file is used for running the On-Line

Registration You can start On-Line Registration by running

the following:

C:\Program Files\HP PhotoSmart\Photo Printer\IntQuest\Iqrunner.exe

========================================

HEWLETT-PACKARD LASERJET PRINTER SUPPORT

========================================

NOTE: If you have upgraded from Windows 3.1 to Windows Me,

you can disregard the following instructions; all of the

optimized software is installed on your computer during the

Windows Me installation.

If you are adding an HP LaserJet printer, or an HP Color

LaserJet printer to your Windows Me system, you can optimize

your printer's performance by carrying out the steps in the

following sections

If you have issues with your HP LaserJet printer or HP-provided

printer driver, contact Hewlett-Packard For more information,

consult Hewlett-Packard's Driver Distribution or Customer Support

centers listed in the documentation accompanying your printer.

For problems or to obtain updated drivers and additional support

information, refer to the HP Web site:

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/eschome.html

HP LaserJet 4 Printer - PCL Support

-----------------------------------

Recommended software: Windows Me printer driver and HP TrueType

screen fonts

HP TrueType screen fonts are available to LaserJet 4 printer

users so that you can match your internal printer fonts To

obtain these fonts, contact your Hewlett-Packard Driver

Distribution center.

HP LaserJet 4Si/4L/4P/4 Plus/4V/5

and 5P Printers - PCL Support

---------------------------------

Recommended software: Windows Me printer driver and HP TrueType

screen fonts

NOTE: You will need the HP TrueType screen fonts to match your

internal printer fonts.

1 Insert Disk 1 of the HP LaserJet Printing System disk set into

the appropriate floppy disk drive.

2 Click Start, and then click Run.

3 Type A:\Setup.

4 Click Custom Installation, and then click the appropriate HP

LaserJet printer

5 Click HP TrueType Screen Fonts

6 Clear the Printer Driver, Status Window, and Travel Guide

check boxes

7 Click OK, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

HP LaserJet 5L/5MP/6L/6P and 6MP Printers

-----------------------------------------

NOTE: You will need the HP TrueType screen fonts to match your

internal printer fonts Locate the disks that came with your

HP LaserJet printer, and then follow the steps below If you

cannot find your software disks, contact your Hewlett-Packard

Driver Distribution center.

1 Insert the HP LaserJet Printing System Disk 1 into the

appropriate drive.

2 Click Start, and then click Run.

3 Type A:\Setup.

4 Select Typical Installation, and then follow the instructions

on your screen.

Support for All Other Monochrome

HP LaserJet PostScript Printers

--------------------------------

Recommended software: Windows Me PostScript printer driver.

HP Color LaserJet Printer - PostScript Support

----------------------------------------------

Recommended software: HP Color LaserJet PostScript printer

driver.

NOTE: Locate the disks that came with your HP Color LaserJet

printer, and then follow the steps below If you cannot find

the disks, contact your Hewlett-Packard Driver Distribution

center.

1 Insert the HP Color LaserJet Printer disk (Windows 3.1

PostScript 2.1.1.) into the appropriate floppy disk drive.

2 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

3 Click Add Printer, and then follow the instructions on

your screen

4 Click Have Driver Disk If you are prompted to replace or

update the driver, click Yes.

HP Color LaserJet Printer - PCL Support

---------------------------------------

Recommended software: HP Color LaserJet driver and HP TrueType

screen fonts

NOTE: Locate the disks that came with your HP Color LaserJet

printer, and then follow the steps below If you cannot find

your software disks, contact your Hewlett-Packard Driver

Distribution Center.

1 Insert the HP Color LaserJet Printing System (Windows 3.1

PCL Printing System) Disk 1 into the appropriate drive.

2 Click Start, and then click Run.

3 Type A:\Setup.

4 Select Express Installation, and then follow the instructions

on your screen.

NOTE: To take advantage of Image Color Matching support in

Windows Me, install the HP Color LaserJet driver that shipped

with Windows Me.

HP LaserJet Troubleshooting

---------------------------

If the printer does not print, disable bi-directional support.

To disable bi-directional support:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers

2 Right-click the icon that represents your printer, and then

click Properties

3 Click the Details tab, and then click Spool Settings.

4 Select Disable Bi-directional Support for This Printer,

and then click OK

5 Click OK again to exit.

If you get an "Error 21 - print overrun" message on your LaserJet

printer, carry out the following steps:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers

2 Right-click the icon that represents your printer, and then

click Properties.

3 Click the Device Options tab, and then clear the Page

Protection check box

On LaserJet 3 printers, you will need to set this option directly

on the printer's front panel If the Page Protection option is

not available and you are using an HP LaserJet 4 printer, try

changing the printer driver to Raster mode instead of Vector

mode (To do this, open the Printer Properties dialog box, and

then click the Graphics tab.) Sometimes you can also solve this

problem by reducing the complexity of the page.

====================

QMS JETSCRIPT BOARDS

====================

To print with QMS JetScript boards under Windows Me, create

a port named LPTx.dos (where LPTx is LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3,

depending on how the JetScript board is configured)

The following steps assume you already have a printer driver

installed If you do not have a printer driver installed,

click Start, point to Settings, click Printers, double-click

Add Printer, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

To create a port named LPTx.dos:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

2 Right-click the icon for the QMS JetScript printer, and

then click Properties.

3 Click the Details tab, and then click Add Port.

4 Click Other, and then click Local Port.

5 Click OK, and then enter the name of the port you want to

add (for example, LPT1.dos).

6 Click OK, and then click OK again to close the Printer

Properties dialog box.

===========================

LASERMASTER PRINTER SUPPORT

===========================

The Windows 3.1 printer driver for LaserMaster products will

not work under Windows Me For information about obtaining

drivers that are compatible with Windows Me, contact LaserMaster

Technical Support at the phone number listed in the documentation

that came with your printer.

================================

NEC SILENTWRITER SUPERSCRIPT 610

================================

The Windows 3.1 printer driver for NEC SilentWriter SuperScript

products will not work under Windows Me For information about

obtaining drivers that are compatible with Windows Me, contact

NEC Technical Support at the phone number listed in your printer

documentation.

==================================================

PANASONIC KX-P 6100, KX-P 6300, KX-P 6500 PRINTERS

==================================================

Some versions of the installation software do not operate

correctly under Windows Me, resulting in "Unknown Windows

Version" error messages

If you experience this problem when you try to install the

driver software for this printer, please contact Panasonic

for information about getting an updated driver.

==============================

SUPPORT FOR LEXMARK MARKVISION

AND CUSTOM PRINTER DRIVERS

==============================

Some early versions of MarkVision and the Lexmark Custom Printer

drivers are not compatible with Windows Me To avoid a problem

with your computer, Windows Me disables these components when you

upgrade from Windows 95 or Windows 98, if you currently have

LEXBCE version 1.03 or earlier If you have a version later than

LEXBCE 1.03, Lexmark software works correctly on Windows Me

To determine which version of LEXBCE you have, carry out the

following steps:

1 In your \Windows\System folder, locate the file Lexbce.dll.

2 Right-click the file, and then click Properties

3 Click the Version tab, and then locate the file version

information

You can obtain a newer version of the software from the

Lexmark Technical Support Center or from their Web site at

http://www.lexmark.com

===========================

AUTO PRINT INSTALLER ISSUES

===========================

Netcrawler is a new feature in Windows Me that searches a

workgroup every 15 minutes for shared folders and printers

When it finds a shared printer, Netcrawler creates a Point

and Print connection to install the driver on the client

computer Netcrawler maintains a compatibility list to

ensure quality and robustness of the driver models.

The following list represents the devices that will not be

installed automatically by Netcrawler However, you can install

these devices manually:

Canon MultiPASS C2500 Printer

Dataproducts LZR 1560 v2010.127

HP DeskJet 710C Series

HP DeskJet 720C Series v10.3

HP DeskJet 880C Series Printer

HP DeskJet 882C

HP DeskJet 895C Series Printer

HP LaserJet 6P/6MP - Enhanced

HP LaserJet 6P/6MP - Standard

HP OfficeJet Series 300 Printer

HP OfficeJet Series 600 Fax

HP OfficeJet Series 600 Printer

HP Printer Scanner Copier 300

Lexmark 1000 Series ColorFine

Lexmark 5700 Series ColorFine

Lexmark 7000 Series ColorFine

Xerox DocuPrint XJ6C

========================================

PRINTING WITH INTERNET PRINTING PROTOCOL

========================================

Windows Me ships with an Internet Printing Protocol (IPP)

client that supports the industry-standard IPP 1.0 protocol

You can install the IPP client from the Add-Ons folder on the

The IPP client allows you to print over the Internet With

the IPP client, your Windows Me computer can print to any

IPP-enabled printer or to a printer running on a Windows 2000

print server over the Internet The Microsoft IPP 1.0 client

uses standard Internet protocols (HTTP on TCP port 80), so no

special configuration of proxies/firewalls is required If

you can browse to the print server, you can also use IPP to

print to it.

About the author

Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on September 9, 2000

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