Lexmark Printer problem

[Maurice]

Trying to help a good friend;-
His PC isn't recognising his printer, it was functioning, but now a banner states "cannot communicate with printer" He tried the "help" function, & checked all connections as was suggested, but all were OK.
His PC was built to order by a reliable firm, & runs Windows XP, the printer is a Lexmark "X" etc., he was away from his PC & couldn't remember the exact printer model, can you help him please?

 

[Godataloss]

usb or parallel?

 

[DLx/P]

I would make sure the cable is good. I once messed with a printer for over an hour to later discover that the cable I had just taken out of the box, brand new, was bad.

 

[poertner_1274]

If it was built by a reliable company, possibly look into getting service from them. If they sold him a defective part, they should repair or fix it.

 

[Maurice]

Thanks, folks;-
[1] Poertner, I'm not knocking your comments, you may well be correct, but perhaps he could look at the printer cable first, [thanks Dlx/P] then when that angle is eliminated, then investigate his PC?
[2] Godataloss, it's a USB connection.

 

[SNGX1275]

The printer likely came with a cd that would have the printer drivers on it. This may be something as simple as putting that cd in and re-installing the driver. I think the chances of having a cable go bad all at once aren't real good.

 

[poertner_1274]

Originally posted by Maurice
Thanks, folks;-
[1] Poertner, I'm not knocking your comments, you may well be correct, but perhaps he could look at the printer cable first.....

I'm not saying it isn't something simple, I am just saying if he got it from a reliable company, then they should take care of the problem. One way or the other.

 

[Maurice]

Thanks Poertner, didn't mean to offend, I see what you're saying, I'll see that he looks into both possibilities.

 

[DLx/P]

I think the chances of having a cable go bad all at once aren't real good.

Yeah but how do we know he isn't using a old crappy cable that he found somewhere. I mean they don't come with new cables in the box with the printer.

 

[jdman687]

who knows

I've dealt with several Lexmark printers showing out before. One of the more common things I've run across is that the printer wasn't properly protected from a lightning storm. For some reason, Lexmark printers seem to lose their communication functionality rather than power or something else whenever they get hit by a power surge. My guess is to try another printer with the same cables (borrow one) and if it works, then it's the printer.

 

[Network geek]

yea i have seen the same thing that jdman687 is talking about, i would try that soon!!