WD2000: ErrMsg: "'There is a printer error."

ID: Q224026

The information in this article applies to:

ERROR MESSAGE

When you try to print, the following error message may appear:

There is a Printer Error.
NOTE: Microsoft Office 2000 has built-in functionality that allows you to get more information about difficult-to-troubleshoot alerts or error messages. If you want to enable this functionality for this and other error messages in Microsoft Office 2000, please download the Microsoft Office 2000 Customizable Alerts file from the Microsoft Office Update Web site at the following address:
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/downloadDetails/alerts.htm
NOTE: If you reached this article by clicking the Web Info button in an error message, you already have Customizable Alerts enabled.


CAUSE

A default printer driver is not installed.

There is a damaged entry in the Windows registry.

A printer driver is damaged.

Windows printing subsystem files are damaged.

There is a device conflict on the printer port.


WHAT TO TRY

A default printer driver is not installed.

If you don't have a default printer, use the Add Printer Wizard to install one.

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Printers.


  2. Double-click Add Printer, and follow the instructions.


NOTE: If your printer model isn't listed in the Manufacturers and Printers lists, check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for an updated driver. If your printer isn't on the HCL, contact the printer manufacturer for drivers and instructions.



Back to Top

There is a damaged entry in the Windows registry.

To reset the registry, set another printer as the default, and then set your original printer as the default.

If you don't already have another printer set up on this computer:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.


  2. Double-click Add Printer.


  3. Click Next.


  4. Click Local, Local Printer, or My Computer, and then click Next.


  5. In the Manufacturers list, click Generic.


  6. In the Make/Model or Printers list, click Generic / Text Only, and then click Next.


  7. Click the LPT1 port, and then click Next.


  8. Click Next again, and then click Finish.


Then switch the default printer to the new driver and back:
  1. In the Printers window, right-click the Generic / Text Only printer (or your other existing printer), and then click Set as Default.


  2. Right-click your original printer, and click Set as Default.


  3. Try printing again.




Back to Top

A printer driver is damaged.

The damaged printer driver requires reinstallation. You need your Windows 95/98 CD-ROM or the printer driver disk or CD-ROM from the printer vendor to complete this procedure.
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.


  2. Right-click your default printer, and click Delete. If you're asked whether you want to remove extra files left on the system, click Yes.


  3. Double-click Add Printer, and follow the instructions to reinstall your printer driver.


When you reinstall your printer driver, Windows writes the correct entries for the Ports, Printer Ports, and Windows sections in the Win.ini file.

NOTE: If you are on a network, you may need to install the correct printer driver from a network printer share. Contact your network administrator for instructions.

Back to Top

Windows printing subsystem files are damaged.

The System File Checker verifies the integrity of system files. If it finds a corrupted one, it allows you to restore it. This tool is available only in Windows 98.
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.


  2. On the Tools menu, click System File Checker.


  3. Click Scan for altered files, and then click Settings.


  4. Choose the configuration you want to use, and then click OK.


  5. Click Start.


  6. If System File Checker finds any altered files, follow the instructions to reinstall them.




Back to Top

There is a device conflict on the printer port.

If you can't print to your local printer at all, there may be a device conflicting with your computer's printer port, or the port may not be turned on. Try removing and reinstalling the printer port.

  1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.


  2. On the Device Manager tab, expand Ports (COM & LPT) and double-click the port your printer is using.


  3. If the Device status box says that the device is working properly, you may have some other system problem. You may need to reinstall your operating system.


  4. If the Device Status box indicates a problem, click OK, and then click Remove.


  5. Click OK, and then restart your computer.


  6. After your computer restarts, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Add New Hardware, and let Windows detect the hardware in your computer.


If the port still doesn't work after you remove and reinstall it, you may need to check printer cable or the BIOS settings on your computer to make sure the port is turned on. Consult your computer documentation for instructions.



Back to Top

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbdta wd2000 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb


Last Reviewed: June 21, 1999
© 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.