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i have an hp deskjet 3940. it has done well for me, but now, it is acting up.
when i want to print a webpage, it prints just fine.
however, when i write a letter on wordpad, it will not print anything. the paper goes through the printer, but comes out blank.
i printed a test page, but the only thing it printed was the top with the windows logo, and the windows xp printer test page. it has been a long time since i've printed a test page, but i seem to recall that there is a full page of something.
why would it print webpages but not wordpad?
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Will it print from Word/Excel etc. - presuming you have those M$-Office items installed?
If you access the printer properties and opt to print a test page what happens? Likewise if you access the printer menus (directly n the printer itself - not via any software etc..) and choose to print a test-page - again what happens?
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the printer name is correct in the properties.
i don't have the excel word. i just have notepad and wordpad. i guess i actually have three wordpads.
there is no menu on the printer itself. when i print a test page from the printer menu, i get the top of the page and the rest is blank
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http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manua...
is the source for the user-manual - in-case you don't have a copy (anymore...)?
and:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...
is the support area for sed printer; may be worth a browse too...? Perhaps download -install latest drivers - as it is remotely possible they have become corrupt (although I tend not put much weight there just now...)
That you get some of page (the top line/header?) is somewhat a puzzle (as you already know)...; especially as you can print off the www...? There may be an issue with the printer path, streaming/spooling etc... Have you disabled any spooling settings (as in print directly)?
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thanks for the links. i do appreciate that.
i know how to use the computer, but i don't know anything about making it work. i don't know what spooling settings are, but i don't mess with anything, just to make sure that i don't disable something i need.
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spooling is within printer properties - settings? - (if I remember correctly)... In effect data is "stored" before it's printed; then passed on to the printer. Disabling the spooling option (as in print directly) means data goes straight to printer.
Also... a couple of long shots: Have you any other applications etc. that allow you to print their output as part of their normal process; and if so can you test it with those? And if you have the cd (hopefully - yes) perhaps re-install wordpad.exe... It is remotely possible that the installed version is slightly flakey/damaged? I suggest this latter as you appear to be OK printing from the www?
A test page does indeed usually fill (or almost) a standard page...
I doubt the printer itself is duff/faulty; as if it was... then why will it print from the www and not a simple item like wordpad/notepad?
Even thought the printer is 4yrs old... might not hurt to contac HP and wsee what they may sugest by way of a fix; emails/phone-call?
This link includes (towards the end of text/info) how to re-install wordpad from the XP install CD (note it seems to start out as write.exe).
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Windows-...
Incidentally how long this been going on; and do you have valid restore-point that predates it? If so - perhaps also try resetting to that earlier point and see if it works? If it fails to resolve... then restore to current setting?
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Incidentally a brief search at the last link I sent you above... does suggest the normal.dot template might be the culprit... (the actual item refers to a W2K installation, but could equally apply to any flavour of windows...):
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One more option - and this may be the easier to try initially...
Go to Add\remove programmes and remove wordpad. Reboot. Then back to Add\remove programmes again and re-install it (it's under accessories by all accounts). All things being equal it may resolve it all?
Also run a full malware/anti-virus check too; there are few nasties out there that apparently can/will affect wordpad...
Trend.com - freebie "housecall" is one to run; and also ensure you have at least the M$ Windows defender util installed etc (and definitions up to date).
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the lexmark chaps were talking about cleaning the ink cartridges and so on, which obviously isn't the solution, since the printer does print.
i had a problem with the trend thing. it stalled or something. my avasti ball was turning showing that something was coming in, but nothing happened after i let it run for three hours.
that allexperts site described my problem exactly. unfortunately, it don't say how to fix it either.
i don't have the cd for it. i bought the computer from a computer liquidation warehouse, and it has what it came with.
i do have another printer, but haven't used it because i can't install it. when i installed the hp, i had to be on the phone with them for an hour because apparently there is some trip in windows that won't let you install things and all you do is get the stupid run dll error thing
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