Computer/Printer problems with

[SteveSierra]

I know this might be a long shot but, if anyone might know what is causing this, I'd really appreciate the feedback.

A couple days ago I got a new Dell 8200 w XP Home installed.

I also bought an hp photosmart 1115 printer.

Now, the problem is this.  If I turn off the printer while still in windows, I get an error saying that the connection with the printer was lost and get a yellow exclamation in the systray.

If I leave the printer on, shut down windows, I can turn off the printer.  Then when I restart windows and turn the printer on, it's fine.  The printer is fine with printing from word, email, the internet, etc.  It just loses the connection when I turn the printer off while windows is still running.

Also, the printer is installed in a removeable drive like with a digital camera.  I have it plugged through usb in a port on the back of the puter.  The whole installation process went fine.

Any ideas????  Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?  LOL

I checked the hp support and dell support pages and had no luck.  Maybe I'll just have to live with this glitch?

[bassdog]

I'll look into it for you Steve  

[RyanbabZ71]

i was told by dell when i bought my laptop a few months ago older printers or other equipment wouldnt work with windows XP.  I know i had trouble with a scanner i bought i had to get new drivers from the mfg.  It was a pain in the butt.

 

Call dell thy are very helpful

 

My laptop broke a few wks ago (keyboard went out).  SHipped it out on a thursday to be repaired got it back monday.  All better now

[GreenRado]

Sounds like a tough one.  I have no experience with your hardware and XP, but a couple of thoughts in general.

 

Cable might be an issue, but unless you have 2, kinda hard to diagnose.

 

Did you also get the printer from Dell?  If so, I would call tech support.  If not, you might check to see that you have the latest XP-compliant printer drivers from HP, even if you have native WinXP driver support.  This is because you really don't know how old the drivers are that were packaged when the printer was made, and this can also be true of the WinXP drivers that came with your puter, if any.  Also check w/ Microsoft to see if there are any known issues w/ that printer and XP - there may be fixes.

 

If you leave the printer on, then let it time out and shut off, do you get the pop-up window?  Does the printer work OK after you get the error, then turn it back on?

 

Sorry, that's about all I can suggest for now.  If I hear more, I'll pass it on.

[bassdog]

Steve,

 

Here is HP's site for downloading new software. Check your version to the newest download.

 

http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin....ndowsXP

 

I'll look up more info

 

Here's the installation link

 

http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin....tup&p=D

[CityTruck]

HP printers (most printers now) rely on 2-way (bi-directional) communication.  There should be no reason to turn the printer off though.  It should go into powersave after a certain period of inactivity.  USB connectivity has been somewhat troublesome for many devices (keep looking for updates and patches), but even if it were parallel connected, the OS (XP or not) would not like it if you turned it off while the PC is still running.  Maybe not the answer you wanted, but I'd say just don't turn it off.

[bassdog]

Steve...

 

A link to Microsofts Tech page

 

http://www.microsoft.com/technet....nPW.asp

[colosilverado]

I've got the same printer, and I think it does the same thing as yours with my Winblows '98 SE, but I'll check when I get home.

[SteveSierra]

Thanks you guys!  

Once again, GM-T.C folk come through!  I'm going to check out that link Bassdog.

CityTruck - I did read in the manual that windowspc users need to have a constant connection between the puter and the printer.  So should I just leave the printer on all the time?

I don't remember anything in the manuals about it needing to be left on all the time or about it going into a power saving mode, but, I, when reading the manuals, look for the installation info, and tend to skip a lot of the other stuff.

I did send an email to Dell, though I didn't buy the printer from them so they'll probably just respond with I need to contact HP.  

HP's site says that the 1115 is compatible with XP.  But I've seen that before with peripherals and Windows ME, so hmmm....

I'm going to try what CityTruck suggested and leave it on for a while and see how that goes.  I don't like to leave the pc on all the time though, as it gets super dusty inside and with our dog(Samoyed with VERY long hairs), her fur gets all twisted around the fan blades.

On a side note, I installed an old Pooh game(hey, it's for my 4 yo son, not me! LOL) and that runs fine with the XP. Will try Aliens vs Predator next.  I've heard that there may be problems with that game and XP.  We shall see. ;)

[SteveSierra]

I've got the same printer, and I think it does the same thing as yours with my Winblows '98 SE, but I'll check when I get home.

colosilverado -

Do you leave yours on all the time?  Lemme know if you can.

Thanks!

[bassdog]

Steve, it doesn't sound like a major problem. One suggestion, aside of downloading the new software, would be to uninstall and reinstall again.

You can also try to "Update Driver" and see if that clears anything up.

Dell techs should be able to walk you through most of it on the phone. And I know they have just an XP and a printing line for support.

[SteveSierra]

bassdog,

Yeah, I have the most current software on the cd.  According to HP's site anyway.  And I uninstalled/reinstalled it too.

Actually, this is the second 1115 I've used.  I set up the first one yesterday afternoon, then a paper guide got bent, paper jams and finally the printer ink cradle got stuck.  Took that back and got a new one, installed that, no problem.  Just the annoying connection lost message when I turn the printer off.

The first one had this problem(lost connection) as well, before it ate itself up.

[bassdog]

Just the annoying connection lost message when I turn the printer off.

The first one had this problem(lost connection) as well, before it ate itself up

 

This is probably due to two things-

1. XP is constantly talking with all it's connected hardware to check for connectivity.

2. HP's Photosmart printers are probably doing the same. I believe they have their own "chip" and memory installed,not sure

 

 

Until a solution is found, I'd just turn the printer on before the computer, then turn the computer off before turning the printer off when you are all done.

[bassdog]

Steve,

I just got these replies from microsofts xp newsgroup. Doesn't sound like you are the only one.

 

Your setup is just fine.  When you shut off the printer

while the computer is still running, XP identifies that

you have lost connectivity with the printer, and lets you

know this with the yellow triangle in the system tray. I

just leave my printer turned on when the system is on.

You have no problem.   Enjoy

 

I think that this is normal. I have the 1218 model and the same thing here.

Since you turned the printer off then the connection was lost.

[SteveSierra]

bassdog,

You are the man!  Thanks so much for posting that over there!  I'll definately just leave the printer on when the pooter is on.  Kinda more reassuring when other people are encountering this situation as well.  Whew!  

I just replaced my fried mircronpc with 1.0Ghz Athlon, 256, blah blah blah pooter with this one, and was thinking kind of the worst.  That this one was having probs too.

That's a relief.

Thanks again!