Printer Won't Print...BIOS Problems?

[sjaguar13]

I can't get my Alps MD-1000 to print. It keeps getting "I/O Device Error". I have a Compaq (yeah, I know they suck) with Windows 98SE.

I found this from www.AlpsUSA.com:
First, make sure the printer is connected directly to the LPT1 in your computer.

Second, install by downloading from our web site or request the latest printer driver for your Micro Dry printer model.

Third, before setting up the newest driver, please make sure you have removed any previous older MD driver versions. Once you have installed the latest MD driver version, open the MD-XXXX printer properties and select the MD_LPT1 as the ALPS printer port, in case it's not selected.

If this does not make a difference, please check and make sure the LPT parameters in your system BIOS comply with the printer requirements as follows:

LPT port set to ECP mode, DMA#3 and IRQ7.

If you are not familiar on how to access your system BIOS, please consult with your computer's manual or your system administrator.


I checked my BIOS and LPT is set to ECP. I have no idea what DMA #3 is or IRQ7. I did find some IRQ settings, but none of them looked like a printer. I just picked on and it couldn't get to 7, just 3, 5, and 11. Does that mean the printer won't work with my computer?

[Designer]

Should'nt think that the IRQ and DMA settings will prevent the printer from working, go into control panel>system>device manager and open the printer properties and check for conflicts.

BTW IRQ is an acronym for Interrupt Request Line and DMA is an acronym for Direct Memory Access.

[sjaguar13]

Well I checked, apparently the LPT thing is on ECP, DMA is on 3, and IRQ is on 7, and not conflicts. Is the printer junk?

[Designer]

There are a few other avenue's to explore before deciding the printer is junk

I know it's a silly question but is everything ok on the printer (online and paper). Is it configured in "my printers" as the default printer?

Have you tried another parallel-centronics cable yet?

[sjaguar13]

The printer is online. There is paper. It is installed, and the cable I am using came off my old printer, so I know it works.

[glc]

Just because the cable came off your old printer and worked doesn't mean it's gonna work with it - is it a IEEE1284 certified bidirectional cable?

[sjaguar13]

I have no idea what kind of cable it is, but if I uninstall the printer and turn the computer on, it comes up as finding new hardware. I figured that would mean the cable is good.

[glc]

Not necessarily - that just means it can see the printer, not communicate with it properly. Try a different cable, and look on the jacket for "IEEE1284".

[sjaguar13]

The only thing I can see on this cable is a box with for arrows, one on each side pointing towards the center. I think I only have one other cable.

[sjaguar13]

The other cable didn't do anything either, but it doesn't say IEEE1284, in fact, it doesn't say anything.

[sjaguar13]

I got an IEEE1284 cable and nothing. I was looking at the properties and it says the port is MD_LPT1 (Unknown Local Printer). I figured it shouldn't be unknown, so I was going to delete it and install it again. I couldn't delete that port becuase a printer was using it. I set the printer to another port and tried to delete it, but it still wouldn't let me. I only have Adobe Acrobat and those weren't using the port. I deleted the printer and it said there were files that were only used my this printer, do I want to delete them, too. I said yes, but that port still stayed there. I still can't delete it. Could that be what's causing the problem?

[glc]

Boot into safe mode and remove all LPT's from device manager.