Unable to print from Word or Excel 2003

[pennywest]

An HP Deskjet 720C is connected to a new Dell Vostro laptop (XP pro) using a parallel lead with USB adapter. The laptop can print a test page quite happily to the printer but nothing from Word or Excel 2003. Strangely it worked last week OK but suddenly stopped working.

Have re-installed the USB adapter drivers
Uninstalled and reinstalled printer (unable to get updated drivers as all links state the drivers within XP.)
checked printer configuration in Word/Excel.

Has anyone got any other ideas?

All gratefully received.

[Michael]

So the physical connection to the printer and the port should be ok (as you can do a test page), but can you print from other applications (such as Adobe Reader?)

[pennywest]

Hi Michael

Thanks for the response. Yes, it can print from other programs though I haven't tested pdf files, it can print her emails and pages from the internet. Just the problem with word and excel.

Regards
Penny

[Michael]

For experimental purposes, can you print from Word and Excel to other printers?

If you can't, I would recommend you re-install Office.

[pennywest]

Thanks Michael.

Will try connecting to another printer and if necessary reinstall MS Office. I'm away for a few days so it may be a day or two before I return here to the forum...but thanks for taking the trouble to reply to my query.

Regards
Penny

[SpuffMonkey]

Have you checked that the paper size is set correctly (ie A4) - I think they tend towards Letter size which might get rejected

[pennywest]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

After reinstalling all software, all drivers, stop/starting various services and still not having any luck, it will print from Word or Excel only when printing direct to the printer ie not spooling. So got a workaround - not ideal but at least we are now able to print.

Thanks again.

[Michael]

It sounds like a driver or more likely a configuration issue. Typically enabling Bidirectional Support can solve these sort of problems, or alternatively using a local port as you have done. Glad you got it sorted

[lovegurumn]

install the service pack 3 for the office.. should resolve the issue