Old Hardwa Timeout Problems?

Hello, And thanks for reading.

I work for a community outreach center. Naturally we are underfunded
and we have obsolete technology. We have computers available for
people to use with printers, but the printer had stopped working
before I started working here.

INFORMATION : We're talking about really old computers. 32MB
processer. Windows 98. And the printer is an HP LaserJet 1200 Series.
There are two different sets of drivers installed, but neither of them
work. One is labeled PS and the other is LP or MP. I'm not sure what
the difference is however. The printer itself is functional and
responds to typical tests.

PROBLEM: Whenever a job is sent to the printer, there is a timeout
error. I have tried altering the timeout settings, but it didn't
help.

Is there anything that can be done? If we could get these working,
they would be invaluable.

On 22-Jun-2009, Zach wrote:

Is there anything that can be done? If we could get these working,
they would be invaluable.

The printer driver has to be configured to use the port that
the printer is connected to, there may be somewhere to
view properties. And you might have the wrong cable, how
is the printer connected?
I think that it can be USB or parallel.
(if USB then BIOS USB support is needed, and maybe you
also need a USB driver as well as the printer driver).

I'm assuming that computer is a 320 Mh processor, rather than a 32. Or
do you mean it is using 32 MB of memory?

I run a number of Win 98(SE) systems here. The HP 1200 is not that old
a printer, and should be able to work for you.

Before doing anything, do you still have the Win 98 driver disks that
were probably provided with the printer? The reason I ask is that if
not, do NOT uninstall or remove the drivers from the computer until you
locate copies of the driver(s). HP no longer supports or offers Win
98/98SE or ME drivers on their website due to issues regarding the use
of some internal driver code which is Win 98 Microsoft code, which OEMs
like HP are no longer allowed to publish and provide.

Time out errors can be due to a number of issues. If the printer is not
on line (check the status on the front panel, and if it is not showing
as being on line, see if there is a front panel button you need to
press to get it on line.

Also, a bad cable or partially unplugged cable can cause a time-out
error. Make sure the printer cable is in good condition and plugged in
properly on both the computer and printer sides. This is best done with
both the printer and computer OFF.

Next check to make sure the appropriate driver is selected as the
default printer for that computer. To check this, double click on "My
Computer" and then double click on the "printers" folder. When the
window opens up, there should be an icon for each printer which is
installed. A check mark should be visible next to the icon that
represents the printer you are using. If not, click on the icon of the
printer you wish to be the default, and another window will open. Under
the printer menu above, click on "set as default" and accept the change
if required.

Next, check to see which port the printer is accessing to print.

If you have several drivers for the same printer, you may have to test
each to see which one refers to the printer attached to the computer.
If the drivers offer several port options, like USB, versus LPT, LPT1,
or LPT2, you need to determine what the printer is attached to.

A USB cable is a thin cable with two small rectangular or modified
square metal projections one on each end. These cables are fragile and
may sometimes fail or the ends may get bent and not plug in correctly.

If you have a spare, or can temporarily exchange it with another in use,
you can try to determine if the problem is the cable. These can be
purchased in most $1 stores for under $2, so don;t go to a computer
store and spend $10-15 on a gold plated one, the cheap ones typically
work fine.

If the cable is relatively thick and has some large plugs on each end
with many pins or connections, you are probably using the printer's
parallel or LPT port. Make sure again that the cables are properly
connected and not damaged.

If you are sure which port you computer is set to look for the printer,
again double click on the printer icon (My Computerprinters) for that
printer, and a small window will again open. Under the "Printer" menu,
click on "Properties" and another window will open with many tabs, click
on the "Details" tab. The box should have an area that states: "Print
to the following Port" and under a small area which describes the port,
which may say USB, or LPT1: or LPT2:, etc. That area is a drop down menu
so you can change it if necessary to one of the others shown, most
likely it should read either LPT1: or USB:. The driver name will be
shown in a space below it, in a second drop down menu. Again, if it is
showing the wrong name, you can change it.

The second area underneath that is the Timeout settings, which you state
you adjusted. Under that is a box indicating "Spool settings". If you
click on that another box will open. For my HP printer, I have those
options set to:

* Spool print jobs so program finishes printing faster
* Start printing after first page is spooled
and spool data format at EMF

This may not be the best settings for your printer, as the one I use is
actually older than yours (An HP Laserjet II)

My Time out settings a 15 seconds and 45 seconds. This was running a
500 Mh Celeron processor with considerably more than 32 MB of memory, so
your numbers may have to differ. However, my HP Laserjet II is pretty
slow, in fact, probably slower than your 1200, but I don't know if the
issue with time out is how long it takes to access the printer or to
spool and raster the image.

If things are slow on your system, I do suggest you have the print job
spooled and then sent to the printer, as mine setting are set(above)*

Going back one level, click on the "Port Settings" box. Again a new box
will open.

I have mine set with "check port state before printing" checked ON

If now of that helps, please post again, and I will see if I can come up
with some further suggestions.

Oh, yes, the PS and LP on the drivers. PS probably stands for Post
Script, LP could be anything from Line Printer to Laser Printer to
another printer language, so I'm not sure. I'd try LP first.

Art


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I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

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Zach wrote:
Hello, And thanks for reading.

I work for a community outreach center. Naturally we are underfunded
and we have obsolete technology. We have computers available for
people to use with printers, but the printer had stopped working
before I started working here.

INFORMATION : We're talking about really old computers. 32MB
processer. Windows 98. And the printer is an HP LaserJet 1200 Series.
There are two different sets of drivers installed, but neither of them
work. One is labeled PS and the other is LP or MP. I'm not sure what
the difference is however. The printer itself is functional and
responds to typical tests.

PROBLEM: Whenever a job is sent to the printer, there is a timeout
error. I have tried altering the timeout settings, but it didn't
help.

Is there anything that can be done? If we could get these working,
they would be invaluable.