Can't print to ANY Printer

**88hawkfan** · 03-20-2015, 07:03 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Have you checked SNMP?

**KenB** · 03-20-2015, 07:17 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Try printing something very simple, like a one line text file, but point to file, and post it here.

That way we can analyze it to see if it's something in the way the data stream is being created.

**sandmanmac** · 03-20-2015, 07:27 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by 88hawkfan

Have you checked SNMP?

No. I have not. I'm mostly an MFP connectivity guy (more specifically, Ricoh), so much of the I.T stuff relating to the PC end of things is not exactly my strong suit.
Is there a quick and easy instruction you can give me to get me started? Do I use a specific program?

Originally posted by KenB

Try printing something very simple, like a one line text file, but point to file, and post it here.
That way we can analyze it to see if it's something in the way the data stream is being created.

You guys are really exposing my shortcomings today

I just tried printing from "notepad" and that worked.
Not sure what you mean by "point to file", Ken

**KenB** · 03-20-2015, 07:59 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by sandmanmac

No. I have not. I'm mostly an MFP connectivity guy (more specifically, Ricoh), so much of the I.T stuff relating to the PC end of things is not exactly my strong suit.
Is there a quick and easy instruction you can give me to get me started? Do I use a specific program?

You guys are really exposing my shortcomings today

I just tried printing from "notepad" and that worked.
Not sure what you mean by "point to file", Ken

Sorry, fat fingers. I meant "print to file". Duh.

In any case, seeing how notepad seems to be OK, please try a file which bombs: Word, PDF, etc...

**rthonpm** · 03-20-2015, 08:41 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Are you using the drivers from Ricoh on the Windows 8 machine, or did they get sucked in from Windows Update?

Have you checked to make sure all of the driver settings are correct? Happy fingers maybe turned a setting on in the driver by mistake?

Try a repair install of Office through Add/Remove programs and a repair of Acrobat from its Help menu. You'll need a reboot after each, and I've seen them hose the print function.

Have you tried changing the printer port to LPR, queue name lp? Ricoh always recommended LPR as the preferred printing method.

**sandmanmac** · 03-20-2015, 08:45 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by KenB

Sorry, fat fingers. I meant "print to file". Duh.

In any case, seeing how notepad seems to be OK, please try a file which bombs: Word, PDF, etc...

I should have been able to put that together.

Just had to research how to install "Print to file", since it's not a standard option in the dialog box anymore. I've always seen it in the "ports" box but never knew what it was for. (I'm learning already!)

Just FYI, and it may mean nothing....I was originally going to upload a document that simply read "test", but it will print any document with up to 4 letters - NO PROBLEM.

I tried almost every 4 LETTER word l know!

The minute I add a 5th letter, it gives me the middle finger. (Although Notepad still works)

I tried to upload the PRM file, but it is not a 'valid" type.
Here's a link to download it from my dropbox.

Dropbox - 404

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/94334475/TEST.prn

Thank you!

**sandmanmac** · 03-20-2015, 08:51 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by rthonpm

Are you using the drivers from Ricoh on the Windows 8 machine, or did they get sucked in from Windows Update?

Have you checked to make sure all of the driver settings are correct? Happy fingers maybe turned a setting on in the driver by mistake?

Try a repair install of Office through Add/Remove programs and a repair of Acrobat from its Help menu. You'll need a reboot after each, and I've seen them hose the print function.

Have you tried changing the printer port to LPR, queue name lp? Ricoh always recommended LPR as the preferred printing method.

Thanks, but Yes, I always use the ricoh factory drivers, the other printer is an OKI, and I'm the only "happy fingers" in the place.
Also, No, I haven't tried a reinstall of my PDF reader (foxit reader) or MS office. Maybe that's next

Edit: Tried uninstalling Foxit reader, and tried the stock Viewer in Win 8 afterwards. No luck yet. MS Office may be a chore for another day.... if it comes to that

**blackcat4866** · 03-21-2015, 01:53 AM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

You can open and read your .prn file in Notepad, Textpad, and XVI32 text editors. Notepad is the weakest of these options because you can't do anything with the null characters. Personally I prefer Textpad for it's simplicity.

Are you using WSD driver? I've had various problems with the WSD drivers, and generally select PCL6 or PS3. =^..^=

**KenB** · 03-21-2015, 02:49 AM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

There at least appears some issue in the file.

PageTech PCL Reader throws an error when I try to open (view) it, yet works correctly with a file I created with the Universal PCL6 driver.

I will try downloading the test file you provided to a few machines in my office on Monday.

BTW... Notepad++ is a good editor to look at the code in print files, although it can't wrangle non ASCII characters very well, as Blackcat mentioned.

It's a free download, and smokes Notepad.

**allan** · 03-21-2015, 03:00 AM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

I found a lot of problems if Win8 upgrades to Win8.1 with existing printers installed.

**sandmanmac** · 03-21-2015, 07:04 AM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by blackcat4866

You can open and read your .prn file in Notepad, Textpad, and XVI32 text editors. Notepad is the weakest of these options because you can't do anything with the null characters. Personally I prefer Textpad for it's simplicity.

Are you using WSD driver? I've had various problems with the WSD drivers, and generally select PCL6 or PS3. =^..^=

Thanks, Blackcat, but my issue isn't with opening the .prn file, it's having NO IDEA what any of the info means in the first place.
That type of stuff is not in my wheelhouse.
I just created it on the advice of KenB to see if there were any obvious errors that were preventing me from printing anything from any of my printers.
I'm using the PCL6 driver.
I just tried the PS drive on the Ricoh and it prints "some" of the page of a document, and then continuously shoots out pages with a little bit of an error message in the top corner of each

Originally posted by KenB

There at least appears some issue in the file.

PageTech PCL Reader throws an error when I try to open (view) it, yet works correctly with a file I created with the Universal PCL6 driver.

I will try downloading the test file you provided to a few machines in my office on Monday.

BTW... Notepad++ is a good editor to look at the code in print files, although it can't wrangle non ASCII characters very well, as Blackcat mentioned.

It's a free download, and smokes Notepad.

Thanks Ken. I looked at the .prn file, but it might as well be in Swahili for what any of the text in there means to me

I appreciate you taking the time to help.

Originally posted by allan

I found a lot of problems if Win8 upgrades to Win8.1 with existing printers installed.

I've had Win 8.1 for about a year now (give or take). Never had a problem...
Although, ironically, I have a client who upgraded to Win 8.1 several months back, and was experiencing the same problem, and has had printing issues ever since.
The 2 other people in the office have no issues, but he needs to connect via a USB cable to print.
He also has the exact same problem when trying to print on his home network.
No DICE!
So it seems there must be some issue with the OS or maybe a conflict in some combinations of programs

, but I haven't been able to find out anything at all.

**blackcat4866** · 03-21-2015, 05:22 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Another way that you can test the ability to print is to use LPR Jar to send a data capture (or print-to-file) directly to the printer's IP address. If you are having a problem with port 9100 (that print drivers use) LPR Jar will be able to send anyway. =^..^=

**sandmanmac** · 03-21-2015, 06:42 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Originally posted by blackcat4866

Another way that you can test the ability to print is to use LPR Jar to send a data capture (or print-to-file) directly to the printer's IP address. If you are having a problem with port 9100 (that print drivers use) LPR Jar will be able to send anyway. =^..^=

Unbelievable!!
Thanks so much!
Also to rthonpm who suggested LPR very early on in the thread, and I didn't pay much attention.
Remarkable, that I've heard LPR suggested to others many times in the past, and never, ever, have had the need to even try it as a fix for a printing issue myself.
I simply set both printers to "LPR" with queue name "Ip", and BINGO!
Still strange to me why both my printers would just go down out of the blue, for no apparent reason.

Admittedly I don't truly comprehend the protocols of how this end of things works, many thanks to all of you experts for sharing your expertise!
REP points earned!

**emujo** · 03-21-2015, 07:31 PM

Re: Can't print to ANY Printer

Windows 8 has a new port ( can't remember the exact name WSD or something to that effect), but look at the port settings in the driver and ensure you are attached to a standard TCP/IP port. Also if you let Windows choose the driver it might add the XPS version which IMHO is just about useless. Additionally, on some MFPs Post Script drivers need additional hardware installed in MFP. PCL would be my 1st choice..Emujo

Can't print to ANY Printer

Can't print to ANY Printer

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