Problem communicating with the printer

I have a new Lexmark Z33. I get the voice saying "problem communicating with the printer" and sometimes the voice says "printing started" at the same time. Sometimes it prints, sometimes it does not, regardless of any or all those voices. I cannot purge print documents without restarting my computer. Lexmark support told me to try the printer on another computer to see if it works there. I have not done that yet. The computer tells me I have proper drivers, etc. and indicates things are fine. Why would it work sometimes, not work sometimes? The "Read Me" file says if trouble communicating I can remove the usb port hub and connect direct to the computer. What do you think about that? Do you have a better idea? I use Windows '98

Norma

 

Sounds like an excellent place to start. Eliminate each link in the chain until you find the broken one. You could try a different port on the hub, bypass the hub as you said, try a different cable, etc.

 

Perhaps you could mention the make and model number of your computer.

From the little information given it could well be that you have a motherboard with a VIA chipset. If so, the USB ports and any Hubs connected will always give flaky connection to any devices connected and the only satisfactory long term solution is to install a USB2 PCI card in your computer and connect the devices & hubs to that.

Ensure that the PCI card itself is not based on a VIA chipset or you are back to square one.

 

A few things to try...

Uninstall and re-install the drivers.

Disconnect the power supply at the back and reinstall it to insure it is seated properly. Also make sure the desk the printer is on is solid and stable.

Plug the printer power cord into a different outlet separate from the one the computer is using.

Try a different USB cable.

Reseat both of the printer's cartriges.

Do these things one at a time, if one of these ideas does work...Then we will know what the problem was.

Dale

 

I am replying for synthoniser as she is a friend of mine and I was trying to help her through the internet chat msn etc and found out all about her computer anyway tried everything finally bought the new USB PCI card now printer is working so thanks for suggestion and help to all from her and wanted to let you now what was done to get it working.