A printer will not function with NetWare print services if it does not function without NetWare print services.
To determine whether your printer is functioning properly, first print the job to the printer locally. If the printer is connected to a server, issue the server DOWN command and bring the machine up as a workstation so you can print the job to a local printer. This will determine whether the problem exists within network printing.
Check for the following problems:
During printing, the printer must have sufficient memory to hold the entire page to be printed. If it does not, it will print the part of the page it has in memory and continue printing on the next page. This problem occurs when printing large graphics jobs.
If unexpected strings or characters appear in your printer output, and you are sure that the printer language in your print job is the same as the language supported by your printer (see ``Determining the printer language of your print job'' and ``Determining the printer languages your printer supports''), you may have different language versions.
If the language version used by the print driver in your application is newer than the version your printer can interpret, some commands may not be recognized by your printer. This can cause unexpected strings or characters to appear randomly throughout your print job.
Try using an older language version to create your job. For example, if this symptom occurs while printing to an HP LaserJet IIIsi and the print driver you are using is for an HP LaserJet 4si, try using a printer driver for an HP LaserJet IIIsi.
If your print job is printing slowly, you may have an interrupt conflict between the port and another device.
Reconfigure your printer to run in polled mode. Polled mode is the default in NetWare Services software. If printing performance improves, either continue using polled mode or configure your printer to use a unique interrupt. See ``Polled versus interrupt mode'' for more information.
If random, unexpected characters appear in your printer output, your printer cables may be too long or improperly attached. Make sure that everything is connected properly and that the cabling is within specified lengths and in good condition.
For more information on cabling, see ``Cabling printers''.
Run the configuration program supplied with the printer, or use DOS commands like MODE or PRINT to check that the printer settings are accurate. For example, if the printer is cabled to LPT2, make sure to send print jobs to LPT2. Use the documentation supplied with the printer to check other necessary settings.
If you cannot get a printer cabled to a workstation to print locally, check the workstation's NET.CFG file to see if it contains the following line:
LOCAL PRINTERS=0If NET.CFG contains this line, temporarily ``remark'' it so it is not executed (place a pound sign # in front of it) or change the line to read as follows:
LOCAL PRINTERS=number(The number should be the number of printers attached to the machine).
The printer may be failing and need service or replacement. If necessary, have faulty hardware repaired. See ``Setting up and servicing printers'' for more information.