Compaq Preario doesn't recognise Laserjet 2100M printer

[TonyG57]

An HP Laserjet 2100M printer works OK with all the computers to which I have attached it - except a Compaq Presario 4526.
With help from others I have used 'debug' to check LPT1 is OK, the parallel cable works on the other machines and I have run through the 12 possible different options for the BIOS settings for LPT1 without success.
The printer runs happily on an ECP printer port on other computers and I have set this manually on the Presario as one of the options under all three initial options of 'auto','user-enabled' and 'PnP OS'.
Once or twice, while trying to print the test page from the Presario after a 'find new hardware' run, I managed to get an error message when the printer fault light went on and I ejected the paper - it read 'PCL XL error- Subsystem:Kernel, Error: Illegal tag, Operator: 0xf7, Position:75'.
Otherwise the printer has never been found on boot-up or by going through the 'Add new hardware' route.
This computer has been donated for use by a charity so we want to get it up and running with this printer.
Please - can anyone help?

TonyG57

 

[TonyG57]

I should have mentioned that the Compaq Presario is running under Windows 98 SE as are the other computers on which the Laserjet 2100M works OK
TonyG57

 

[franklin97355]

Disconnect the printer. in add remove programs remove any printer related entries.Remove all port info for parallel ports in device manager (using safe mode is best for this). in the bios set for plug and play aware OS (whatever it takes)Set the port for ecp and reboot. get the latest drivers from hp and install if needed. turn off the computer and connect the printer, turn it on and let it reset. Print the test page from the printer to make sure its working then turn on the computer. If at any time it asks if you want to reboot say yes. Let us know how it goes.

 

[TonyG57]

Many thanks for your prompt response. I followed your instructions but there was a slight problem when I attempted to load the drivers. Although the computer had found it needed to set up LPT1 as an ECP printer (and had) it was not recognised as being available when the drivers attempted to load.
However I proceeded to the stage of turning on the printer after rebooting but it was not recognised as Windows started.
I then tried setting it up as a new printer and, this time I was able to load the drivers.
The bad news is that the printer still does not work. It will not print a test page from the computer but only by pressing the button on the printer.
It is now getting past my bedtime in the UK so I hope you can offer more suggestions but it will be tomoorow (Sunday)before I can respond.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you again for your help

 

[franklin97355]

If you go to the device manager is there an ECP port installed? If not that is what you need to get working first. This would be either a bios or windows problem. On second thought it might also be a hardware problem with the MOBO but I doubt it.

 

[TonyG57]

I checked the Device manager list and LPT1 is shown as set up as ECP.
Does 'MOBO' mean the motherboard?
If so are there any tests which can be carried out? 'Debug' has confirmed LPT1 is properly set up.
I have now passed the computer back to my colleague who was going to use it for charity work.
Have you any advice other than 'scrap it and get a proper one'? If so I can pass on to him any more suggestions you may have to get the machines talking to one another.
Thanks for your help to date - at least it has eliminated some possibilities

 

[killowhat]

start>run>msconfig>uncheck; Load startup group items> shutdown>restart>reinstall' this was the only way i could get my hp 2110 to install properly. i am also running win98se on a compaq 7588. hope this helps. hp website does have a scrubber uninstall you can download to completely remove all traces.