Print Server Troubleshooting

Also refer to Troubleshooting Print Servers for common problems.

• Using an operating system or application software newer than your printer or print server sometimes resolves problems. It may difficult for you to upgrade, however that may be the only way to resolve a problem.
• Equally, an operating system that is a year or two older than your printer or print server is likely to cause problems or to limit the usable printer features.

Can't See Printer in Wizard in Windows XP

See Firewalls that Conflict with NETGEAR Such as Windows XP — unless you know for sure this feature isn't on. This is particularly true if you cannot see a printer when using the Windows "Add Printer Wizard" or the NETGEAR "Print Server Wizard".

Print Jobs are Too Large for the Print Server Buffer

The Print Server Buffer is only 64K, so large print jobs are nearly always not executed correctly or at all. Do not use the Firstgear setup program to install the printer port. Instead, follow the instructions in the document above for adding the port. This will not always work, but it will help the buffer to execute larger print jobs than it would if the printer had been installed with the Print Server Setup program.

Printer Stops During Printing

Make sure that the spool settings for the print server are set to ""Print after the last page is spooled"". Then make sure that the data format is set to RAW. These settings should make a difference on how the print server responds.

Print Jobs are Slow or Print is Garbled

Don't use the First-gear setup program. Instead proceed to the ports program for the printer (now, be sure that the printer is already installed by way of the LPT port on the computer) and change the port of the printer to \device_namep1.

HP Printers Will Not Install Using NETGEAR's First-Gear Program

Don't use the First-Gear setup program. Instead, install the printer to the computer's LPT port. Then, connect the printer to the parallel port on the print server. Finally, go to the printer's ports program and change the printer port to \device_namep.

Doc:  N100033.asp March 26, 2004