Summary: An
older Facit printer is
connected by parallel interface to a Windows based system, and prints incorrectly. It may not
print at all, it may print total 'garbage' or partial control sequences,
graphics may be distorted, or other printing problems.
Causes:
Older printers default to the original CENTRONICS
parallel specification, or variants. PC hardware advances, and changes in
parallel implementation cause problems with these printers.
The printer interface may be set to an incompatible
mode.
Solutions: Read the
following solutions completely to determine your operating system and the
simplest solution. Solutions may be tried singly or together.
Windows- all versions In the BIOS
for the PC (pressing DEL when pc is powered on), change LPT port type from Enhanced to Standard Install and use
a second parallel card. Most cards allow on-board settings to maintain
compatibility.
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME Disable the
bi-directional print support Change the printer port to use DOS printing
services Change the printer properties from ECP to Standard Change the
printer properties from ECP to Standard
Windows 3.x Turn off Fast Printing
Direct to Port Change the printer port to use DOS printing services
Printer Setup
Ensure the printer is set to the desired interface-
parallel, serial or network.
Clear any incompatible memory settings by reseting the
printer to factory defaults- refer to the printer documentation.
Check the printer cable- reseat and replace as
needed.
Older Facit printers may default to Busy-by-Line. Refer to the printer
documentation and set the interface to Busy-by-Character.
Line printers with the optional DataProducts parallel
interface are not compatibile with the CENTRONICS or IEEE-1284 parallel
interface. Refer to printer documentation to set the printer to CENTRONICS
mode.
Windows - all
versions:
In the BIOS for the PC, change LPT port type from EPP to
ECP, Enhanced, or Standard.
To change your BIOS settings, refer to the user's manual
for the PC. Most PC's enter the BIOS setup menu at boot-up by pressing a key
sequence (typically DEL). Some PC's (most laptops) use a setup utility run
from DOS or Windows.
Once in the BIOS setup, set the LPT port to Standard.
Most newer PC's default to enhanced, ECP, or EPP parallel port. Save the
changes and exit the setup utility.
After re-booting, the PC's printer port should be
configured for standard parallel printing.
or
Install and use a second parallel card. Most cards allow
on-board settings to maintain compatibility.
Windows 95, Windows
98, Windows ME
Change the printer port to use DOS printing
services:
Select Start | Settings | Printers.
Select the desired printer, then select File |
Properties.
Select Details | Add Port
Select Other | Local Port | OK - a dialog box will
display "Enter a port name".
Type LPT1.DOS in the box and select OK.
Select OK.
The port will show as LPT1.DOS unknown local port.
or
Disable the bi-directional print support:
Select Start | Setting | Printers.
Select the desired printer, then File |
Properties.
Select Details | Spool Settings.
Choose Disable bi-directional support for this
printer.
Select OK.
or
Change the printer properties from ECP to
Standard:
Windows 95, Windows 95A:
Select Start | Settings | Control Panel.
Select System | Device Manager | Ports(Com & LPT)
icon.
If ECP Printer Port (LPT1) is shown, this port needs to
be changed to Printer Port (LPT1).
Select LPT1, then select Properties
Select the Driver tab.
Select Change Driver.
Select the Show All devices radio button.
Under Manufacturers, scroll to the top menu and select
Standard Port Types.
Under models, select Printer Port, then select the
OK.
The Windows 95 disks or CD will be required to complete
installation of the standard printer driver.
Device Manager should now show Printer Port
(LPT1).
Windows 95B, Windows 95C, Windows 98, Windows 98
SE:, Windows ME
Select Start | Settings | Control Panel.
Select System | Device Manager | Ports.
If ECP Printer Port (LPT1) is shown, this port needs to
be changed to Printer Port (LPT1).
Select ECP Printer Port | Properties.
Select the Driver tab.
Select Update Driver.
The dialog "Do you want Windows to Search for the
Driver?" appears. Choose NO, then Next.
The dialog "Which driver do you want to search for?"
appears. Choose Original Driver, then select Next.
Select Show All Hardware. Choose Printer Port, then
select Finish.
The Windows CD may be required to complete installation
of the standard printer driver.
Restart Windows- the the PC's printer port should be
configured for standard parallel printing.
Windows NT 4.0
The CENTRONICS handshake in parallel.sys is too aggressive
for some older devices. This can be corrected by applying Service Pack 4 or greater.
Windows 3.x
Turn off Fast Printing Direct to Port:
Select Program Manager | Main Control | Control Panel |
Printers.
Select the desired printer.
Select Connect.
Unselect Fast Printing Direct to Port.
Select OK.
or
Change the printer port to use DOS printing
services:
Select Program Manager | Main Control | Control Panel |
Printers.