HP Deskjet 693C

  • Thread starter Thread starter WmassKLM
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WmassKLM

My hard driver recently died and when I got a new one, I
installed Windows XP - previously I used ME. My printer
now doesn't work - it communicates with the PC as the
light blinks when I try to print something but nothing
comes out. I think my problem is that I don't have any
printer software loaded - lord knows where the original
CD software is from when I bought the printer. The HP
website doesn't let you download software - it says that
XP comes with the appropriate drivers so load the drivers
from XP - which I've done. I've even removed the printer
and did the drivers again - but same thing. Any advice
on what I can do next? Thanks.
 
Ensure the LPT port is set to EPP in the BIOS.

Go into the Device Manager, click on Ports (Com and LPT) and then right
click on the entry for the LPT port..... Under the Port Settings tab, ensure
that you have the box for Enable legacy Plug and Play Detection checked.

Go into the Control Panel and click on Printers & Faxes. Use the Add
Printer Wizard to install the printer... the drivers are built into XP.
 
How do you get into the Device Manager?
[I have the same symptoms as WmassKLM, only with a HP Deskjet 660cse. When
I was upgrading from ME to XP, I got a warning of a possible hardware
incompatibility in "HP Parallel Adapter". I have been trying to find out
what that is, but haven't gotten a straight answer from Dell or HP.]
 
I have been corresponding with Dell tech support and with HP tech support for
three days, in neverending circles of advice (mostly automated, or suggesting
web sites, troubleshooters, etc, and never answering a question directly),
and nobody talked about how to check on and change the properties of the LPT
port. The advice you gave worked like a charm. Thank you so much!
 
Alas, the story is not over.
After initial flush of success, the good luck went away. The EPP option is
now set on the port, but I cannot print even the test page. The little green
light on the printer (HP660cse) blinks for a little while when I try to print
something, but then it stops blinking and it never prints. Yesterday I tried
removing the parallel port via the Device Manager and then letting the OS
reinstall it at reboot time. It came back with the EPP box checked. Still
no good. Could this be related to whether the printer is connected and/or on
at time of XP upgrade, or at the times of the various reboots?
 
Only think I can think of now is perhaps changing the cable. The HP660
series is really very old...... if possible, how about replacing it with a
USB printer. I know you love the one you have, but it may be time for its
retirement.
 
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