Any Ideas Major Computer Troubles!

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-24-2008, 08:07 AM

I've been MIA due to my "wonderful" computer. It's been doing so many crazy things, it's taken on a life of it's own. Last week we finally figured out that the modem for the DSL and the router were over heating so I that is why I could not get on line at times, or stay on line too long.

Programs would work only when they wanted too and my printer thought it was a rabbit and by noon yesterday I had 28 icons of of printer in my printer folder and not one of them would work.

Gave in and zapped the hard drive clean. Slowly started to reinstall things.
Now the printer is saying communication error and to check connections. It's all connected properly. I've connected, disconnected, reconnected, installed, uninstalled, reinstalled and the printer just will not work. Box comes up saying communication error.

I have no clue what to do next and I dont think I"m going to finish reinstalling my other programs quite yet because I really need this printer to do my pet sitting...........forms I need that I can't get.

Any ideas what I should try to get this printer working?

The icon at the wee bottom in the tray now has a red question mark over it.

Fautps · 01-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

I've been MIA due to my "wonderful" computer. It's been doing so many crazy things, it's taken on a life of it's own. Last week we finally figured out that the modem for the DSL and the router were over heating so I that is why I could not get on line at times, or stay on line too long.

Programs would work only when they wanted too and my printer thought it was a rabbit and by noon yesterday I had 28 icons of of printer in my printer folder and not one of them would work.

Gave in and zapped the hard drive clean. Slowly started to reinstall things.
Now the printer is saying communication error and to check connections. It's all connected properly. I've connected, disconnected, reconnected, installed, uninstalled, reinstalled and the printer just will not work. Box comes up saying communication error.

I have no clue what to do next and I dont think I"m going to finish reinstalling my other programs quite yet because I really need this printer to do my pet sitting...........forms I need that I can't get.

Any ideas what I should try to get this printer working?

The icon at the wee bottom in the tray now has a red question mark over it.

Operating system? Computer make and model? Printer make and model?

Ill do some digging and try to have an answer by noon for you.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-24-2008, 08:29 AM

I'm running windows XP professional

Computer is a Dell Dimension 8250

Printer is a Epson Stylus Photo 825

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Fautps · 01-24-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

I'm running windows XP professional

Computer is a Dell Dimension 8250

Printer is a Epson Stylus Photo 825

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

ok first click start-my computer. right click, select proerties. this will bring up a screen, select the hardware tab, click device manager, and make sure that there are no yellow or red error icons. if there are, you need to install more drivers. you can get the ones you need from dells website. also make sure your windows is completely up to date. if that is all ok check your usb cable if you have a spare. it sounds to me however, that your usb drivers may not be properly installed. if that doesnt work let me know, and I'll go from there.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-24-2008, 09:33 AM

Nothing yellow or red in the device manager area

Dumb Question.....how do I know if my windows is up to date? I just reinstalled it Again yesterday

I do not have an extra cable, but was thinking of running to town and picking one up to see if that did the trick.

I see in my printer folder today I have 2 printers icons again.....

by noon yesterday I had 28 and none worked. That is why I zapped the hard drive clean and reinstalled.....

here is a the message that is blinking in my epson status monitor box that I can't get to close and go away

Communication Error
Check all connections and make sure all devices are on. If the power was turned off during printing, cancel the print job. If the error does not clear, see your printer documentation.

I see nothing no where no how on fixing this.

Fautps · 01-24-2008, 09:53 AM

to update, open internet explorer select the tools tab, and click windows update. you can then configure windows updates from there The error is due to the printer not communicating with the computer. one of 3 things is happening. the drivers are wrong, the usb cable is bad, or the printer is bad. I would also recommend trying epsons tech support, before purchasing anything, as they may have more updated known issues list on that printer than I do. their phone # is (562)276-7202 , or you can email from the website. Hope this helps!

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-24-2008, 10:17 AM

It wont let me update......it starts, gets to 23% and then this error message below pops up

Microsoft Windows Update

[Error number: 0x80244022]
The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem.
For self-help options:

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Solutions

Windows Update Newsgroup
For assisted support options:

Microsoft Online Assisted Support (no-cost for Windows Update issues)

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-24-2008, 10:18 AM

thru all this I forgot to mention I'm also running service pack 2

Fautps · 01-24-2008, 10:44 AM

if you are running sp2 already the updates are most likely not the issue. however, to turn on automatic updates, you can use start, control panel, and in the left column is windows updates, select download automatically, but let me choose when to install, and you will be set

I would highly recommend calling epson support for the printer issues, as without having the machine to look at, I couldnt tell you a lot more. If you have more questions, feel free to post or PM or call me.
Rob

**CarolsCritterCare** · 01-25-2008, 04:26 AM

I dont know how, but I finally got it working. I did a few uninstalls, reinstalls, add/remove. Did have to do some updates to windows because that was turned off.
I could not make the "regular" printer icon the default. I keep getting copies showing up, so I made copy 1 my default and when I did that the printer started to work.
Dunno.....just glad it's working.....for now