DOCUMENT:Q105249 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Serial Printers May Print Garbage During Windows NT Startup PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:3.1 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbsetup ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== If a printer is attached to the serial port (COMx) of a system running Windows NT, the printer may eject blank pages or print garbage during the startup of Windows NT. CAUSE ===== When you start Windows NT, NTDETECT gathers information on the hardware that is installed in the system. One of the functions that NTDETECT performs is a search for the pointing device (usually a mouse). In the course of this process, data is sent to the serial ports. This data may be interpreted by the printer as incoming information upon which to act. Depending on the baud rate setting and the particular printer attached, this may result in the ejection of printed pages with random characters or unprinted pages. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, make sure that the power is off on the printer before you start Windows NT. After Windows NT is loaded, then turn the printer back on. You can also specify "/noserialmice:com(n)" on the BOOT.INI file. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces): S E R V P A C K Additional query words: prodnt garbage junk ====================================================================== Keywords : kbsetup Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search Version : WinNT:3.1 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.