Printer Activity or Garbled Text Printed When You Start Windows

ID: Q157145

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, a small amount of text may be sent to the local printer. When this occurs, the printer may or may not eject the page after the text is printed. The text varies, but typically includes extended or unintelligible characters. The printer may also display an error code. On Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers, "Error 22" may be displayed and the printer may stop responding (hang). When you attempt to print a document, you may receive a message that the printer is offline or out of paper.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the Drvwppqt.vxd virtual device driver is loaded or if you are not using an IEEE 1284 printer cable.


RESOLUTION

To prevent this driver from being loaded, follow these steps:

NOTE: Do not implement this resolution if you have a tape backup device connected to a parallel (LPT) port on your computer. Also, if you are using the incorrect printer cable, replace it with an IEEE 1284 printer cable.

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type drvwppqt.vxd, and then click Find Now.


  3. Rename all instances of the file by changing the file name extension. You must change the extension to prevent the driver from being loaded.



MORE INFORMATION

This file is installed by Seagate (formerly Arcada) Backup software and is typically located in the Windows\System\Iosubsys folder as well as the Arcada\System folder.

This driver is also installed by Windows 98 Backup. Backup is installed when you upgrade to Windows 98 if you have a previous version of Backup installed before you upgrade to Windows 98, or if you choose to install Backup using the Custom installation option.

The driver detects tape devices connected to a parallel port. During the detection process, a string of text is sent through the parallel port to be interpreted by tape devices. Some printers interpret this string as printable text. The output may also be sent to the printer during modem or port detection as well.

Seagate (Arcada) Backup is manufactured by Seagate Software, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.



This issue is also known to occur on the following printers:

Additional query words: garbage boot 22 PAR I/O ERROR hp 4 


Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbprint win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: August 2, 1999