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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Alternative Operating Systems > Troubleshooting Windows Printing Problem

Troubleshooting Windows Printing Problem
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TribeLeader
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Oct 4, 2011, 12:34 PM
 
My church's (small) office is having trouble printing (wirelessly) from the Windows computer (Windows XP on a not-too-old Dell). Now, I have no trouble printing (wirelessly) from my MacBook Pro.

Here's what's being experienced by the person using the computer ...

After clicking "print," the printer starts but soon becomes extremely slow/intermittent. Then, the computer screen becomes unresponsive (cursor freezes, error message about the display driver becoming unresponsive but then becoming okay again, screens blacks out intermittently, an analog input icon appears on black screen saying something about an energy saver).

When I took a look at it, I also saw an occasional error message about an audio jack being plugged in and/or unplugged.

I'm not very familiar with Windows these days, but I ran the printer troubleshooter and one downloaded from the Microsoft website, which found no problems. I deleted the printer and reinstalled it (but installed the recommended/same? driver).

We're not really sure what to do next. Any ideas, or questions for more info?

Many thanks!
     
ibook_steve
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Oct 4, 2011, 05:02 PM
 
Is this a true wireless printer or is it connected to some other device to print through (computer, router, etc.)? Can you plug the printer into the computer directly and see if you can print?

Steve
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TribeLeader  (op)
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Oct 4, 2011, 05:10 PM
 
It's a true wireless printer (doesn't go through another device). Yes, I should try connecting a cable but haven't found one to try yet.
     
olePigeon
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Oct 4, 2011, 05:36 PM
 
Silly question, but are you using the latest drivers and is XP fully updated?
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you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
seanc
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Oct 5, 2011, 01:04 AM
 
What model of Dell PC and printer please.
Do you know how to find out which model the graphics card is?
     
TribeLeader  (op)
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Oct 5, 2011, 10:44 AM
 
Thanks for the follow-up. In checking on the answers to your questions, I updated the drivers and firmware from HP's site. Then I did a test print and it worked.

So, unless, the problem reappears, this issue is resolved. Thanks for your help!

(Now I can go back to my Mac.)
     
olePigeon
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Oct 5, 2011, 12:22 PM
 
I ran into that problem with a friend's printer. It wouldn't print wirelessly, but all they did was install the drivers from the CD. After downloading the latest drives from HP's website, it worked fine.

Makes me wonder how they ever sold the thing if it never worked right out of the box.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
TribeLeader  (op)
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Oct 6, 2011, 10:24 AM
 
Ah, the secretary just emailed to say that the problem reappeared today.

I don't have access to all the info/specs I looked up yesterday, but here's what I remember: The Dell is a Vostro (don't remember exact model). It's actually running Windows 7 (w/ latest updates).

The printer is HP Officejet Pro 8500 (wireless).
     
TribeLeader  (op)
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Oct 10, 2011, 11:06 AM
 
This looks to be more than simply a printing problem. Here's what we're noticing ...

In IE (latest update), cursor freezes intermittently. Occasionally, screen goes black, an analog icon appears briefly in the upper left corner of the screen, then message message appears: "Auto detect analog display input" "Entering power ave mode." But then the screen reappears. I've checked all the cables.

Still getting message, "just plugged a device in the audio jack," even though we didn't.

Still trouble printing, slow, intermittently (screen flickers, goes back to normal after print job finally done).

Thanks for any suggestions!
     
Cold Warrior
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Oct 10, 2011, 11:12 AM
 
Try
* another user account in Windows
* booting into safe mode (not sure if printer drivers will load, but you could at least test the audio jack issue and IE freezes here).

I'd also input the service tag into Dell's support site and see if that machine has any critical or important updates for it, such as BIOS or other things.
     
seanc
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Oct 10, 2011, 08:14 PM
 
This sounds like a hardware issue, but it shouldn't be on such a new machine.

Printing is triggering some part of the driver system to reset/flake out. Usually where a faulty printer driver is involved in Windows 7, the print spooler just stops.

I would try upgrading the graphics drivers. I assume it's a PCI Express card by ATI or nVidia? If not, update the chipset and onboard graphics drivers.
If it's a machine from Dell at the factory you should be able to get most updates from the Dell support site by inputting the service tag.
     
TribeLeader  (op)
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Oct 11, 2011, 04:24 PM
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I tried your suggestions, including several updates at Dell's support site. After installing/restarting, everything seems to be working. I'm cautiously optimistic!

Thanks again!
     
   
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