Windows 7 updates - printer problem

[charlie]

It is credible: bizarre happens.


If there were only one kind of printer, or at least, only one kind of
interface to a printer, and if there were only one kind of computer
hardware, or at least, only one kind of hardware interface to the
peripherals, and if there were only one operating system, or at least
only one kind of software interface to peripherals, it might not be
problematic. And I left out other considerations, especially the ones I
haven't thought of or don't know about...

Microsoft is in the not so enviable position of herding cats, IMO.

If the printer in question is connected via USB - -
Determine which USB port and controller are used.
Make sure that it's a different controller than that used
by the keyboard and mouse. (Unless you happen to be using a P/S 2 mouse
and keyboard.

The real problem may be to identify which port and controller is used.
One some systems there may be multiple drivers for the same controller,
standard and enhanced.

Basically, the idea is to shutdown the port and controller, and if
necessary, disconnect the drivers for that particular controller.
That should break any of the existing software paths in the drivers to
the USB controller, the port, and the printer driver(s).

With the printer (and drivers) disconnected from the USB port and the
P/C, shutdown and reboot.

What usually happens next is that windows re-installs the USB controller
and port drivers automatically. If not,
You may have to use control panel, device manager, etc. to enable the
controller and ports, and install the USB drivers, etc.

Assuming that this works, it's time to shutdown, and restart.
Then, usually, install the printer driver and the printer.

This is a legacy method. I haven't had to use it with win 7 and my
current printers and P/C. I did use it last with an HP laptop running
Vista. Older printers and legacy based drivers (updated, sort of) for
win 7 may benefit from this method.




Anyway - -

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

If the printer in question is connected via USB - -
Determine which USB port and controller are used.
Make sure that it's a different controller than that used
by the keyboard and mouse. (Unless you happen to be using a P/S 2 mouse
and keyboard.

The real problem may be to identify which port and controller is used.
One some systems there may be multiple drivers for the same controller,
standard and enhanced.

Basically, the idea is to shutdown the port and controller, and if
necessary, disconnect the drivers for that particular controller.
That should break any of the existing software paths in the drivers to
the USB controller, the port, and the printer driver(s).

With the printer (and drivers) disconnected from the USB port and the
P/C, shutdown and reboot.

What usually happens next is that windows re-installs the USB controller
and port drivers automatically. If not,
You may have to use control panel, device manager, etc. to enable the
controller and ports, and install the USB drivers, etc.

Assuming that this works, it's time to shutdown, and restart.
Then, usually, install the printer driver and the printer.

This is a legacy method. I haven't had to use it with win 7 and my
current printers and P/C. I did use it last with an HP laptop running
Vista. Older printers and legacy based drivers (updated, sort of) for
win 7 may benefit from this method.

Anyway - -

Anyway, I'm not the one with the problem. The post you replied to is
where I was discussing, in response to Scott's complaint, why there
might still be a printer driver problem in the year 2012.

Scott is the OP.

 

[charlie]

Anyway, I'm not the one with the problem. The post you replied to is
where I was discussing, in response to Scott's complaint, why there
might still be a printer driver problem in the year 2012.

Scott is the OP.

The herding cats remark is also quite apt when programmers are involved.
I was too lazy or too quick to post the reply.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

The herding cats remark is also quite apt when programmers are involved.

True enough. And in newsgroups too

I was too lazy or too quick to post the reply.

Since I am on occasion also guilty of that, I hereby formally withdraw
my complaint.

 

[Scott]

Okay folks, now an update.

The problem occurred again when using Adobe Reader. It seems not that
the Windows updates may not be at fault but the Adobe package. This
seems even more odd as I thought the relationship between the printer
and the computer was wholly independent of any application software.

This time the expedient of pulling out the USB cable and putting it
back in again restored the printer.

Could it be that the driver can cope with Word but not Adobe?

I am totally confused now.

 

[Scott]

Okay folks, now an update.

The problem occurred again when using Adobe Reader. It seems not that
the Windows updates may not be at fault but the Adobe package. This
seems even more odd as I thought the relationship between the printer
and the computer was wholly independent of any application software.

This time the expedient of pulling out the USB cable and putting it
back in again restored the printer.

Could it be that the driver can cope with Word but not Adobe?

I am totally confused now.

It looks like it could be an Adobe issue:
http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/printing-problems-acrobat-9-4.html