Cannot print reliably

[oldhamer]

Hi there:

Recently, the company I work for purchased a Vista 64 workstation. Great machine except for one issue. I cannot get this machine to print to save my life. All other machines on the same switch using the same OS print fine to the two networked computers, but not this.

I tried using a generic PCL6 driver and I could successfully print an excel file. I have call the printer manuf. for support and they told me I used the wrong drivers. I uninstalled and re-installed their drivers for Vista x64 and still no luck. Pretty much refused to help once they got stumped. I also tried the PC manuf. for help and they had me retry everything I previously tried and finally suggested an OS wipe.

Anyone out there have an answer that does not involve wiping a high-usage workstation ?

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

[hang-the-9]

How are you prinintg? Directly to the printer, through a server? What happens when it does not print, errors, does it pop up a message saying it's pinting but nothing comes out on the printer, do you print but get garbage outupt?

 

[oldhamer]

I am printing over the network. The PCs and the printer are sitting on a local WAN. No error messages are given so you think all is well. But, nothing useful comes out the other end.

 

[hang-the-9]

I am printing over the network. The PCs and the printer are sitting on a local WAN. No error messages are given so you think all is well. But, nothing useful comes out the other end.

Closer but still missing info, How are the printers conected are they running off a print server or directly off IP printing? When you print, the print job goes through, and what comes out on the printer? Nothing or a page with an error or many pages with a few characters on each one?

What's the model of the printer? Are they both the same?

 

[oldhamer]

Directly off IP printing.

Printer #1 (the important one): Ricoh Aficio BP20N
Printer #2 (the not-so-important one): Okidata C5200N

After getting my hands on the machine, I must now inform you that I was mistaken. The issue is that I cannot install the drivers at all. They give me some kernel mode error issue. So, the drivers themselves will not install at all.

I apologize for my failing memory.

 

[hang-the-9]

I take it you got the drivers from http://support.ricoh.com/bb/html/dr_ut_e/ra/model/bp20n/bp20nen.htm#Microsoft%20Windows%20Vista%20(x64)?

Have you tried to install any other printer drivers? See if there is a similar driver model to the ones you have built into Vista and see if you get the same errors. Did you do a search off that error you got?

 

[oldhamer]

Correct. That is where i downloaded from. I did a search for the errors and tried a few suggestions, but none applied to my situation.

I will try to install a similar Ricoh driver set built into Vista and report back.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[oldhamer]

I installed a different driver set for the AP series and it works perfectly - great suggestion! Thank you very much!

 

[hang-the-9]

I installed a different driver set for the AP series and it works perfectly - great suggestion! Thank you very much!

You're welcome. Just keep an eye for odd printing issues if using a non-standard driver for the model. I have used this trick on old computers and new printers, LJ 4 drivers work with just about anything and are built into every version of Windows I have seen. They may not print everything with 100% accuracy but have never had any complaints.

 

[oldhamer]

So far, so good. Thanks again!

 

[oldhamer]

Best answer selected by oldhamer.