Changing the Parallel Port from "ECP" to Standard - Printer Prints Incorrect Information, Garbage Output or Blank Pages

Printer is printing garbled in Windows;
For computers configured for parallel (Centronics) communication. Insure the appropriate driver is selected to match the printer's emulation. Usually prints correctly from a DOS prompt with a command such as "DIR>LPT1".

This error may occur if you have a computer with an ECP port in Windows;
INCOMPATIBLE PARALLEL PORT PROTOCOL: During the PLUG n PLAY setup, Windows usually sets the parallel port driver for ECP mode if the computer's hardware port is set for ECP or, in some cases, ECP+EPP. Windows 95 will utilize data compression during ECP data transmission which can cause "garbled information" if the receiving device, such as a printer, is not ECP compatible.

Change the Windows Operating System's printer port driver (LPT.VXD) to the standard mode (non-ECP).

Follow these initial steps, - Except for XP (XP Complete procedure at end of document) - then go the appropriate section for your Windows environment and continue:
In your Windows environment,

1. Click on "Start", "Settings", then "Control Panel".
2. Double click on "SYSTEM" and click on "DEVICE MANAGER".
3. Expand the "PORTS (COM & LPT)" section.
4. Double click on "ECP Printer Port....".
NOTE: If you don't have this listed and the list shows a "Printer Port" already listed as your printer's connecting communications port, the correction is not needed and you should exit this routine without making or saving any changes.

Locate the appropriate Windows Operating System to continue....

Windows 95 or Windows 95 "A" version:
5. Click on "DRIVER", then "Change Driver"
6. Click on "Show all devices".
7. Select "Standard Port Types", then "Printer Port".
8. Click on "OK", and then "OK". (Configuration will save).
9. Click "Close", then click on the top right "X" icon to exit the folder.
10. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Windows 95 "B" version:
5. Click on "DRIVER", then "Update Driver"
6. Click on "NO", and then "NEXT"
7. Click on "Show all Hardware"
8. Select "Standard Port Types", then "Printer Port".
9. Click on "Finish". (Configuration will save).
10. Click "Close", then click on the top right "X" icon to exit the folder.
11. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Windows 98 or Windows 98 SE version:
5. Click on "DRIVER", then "Update Driver".
6. Click on "NEXT" - Opens up window.
7. Click on option to "Display list of all drivers" then "NEXT"
8. Select "Show all hardware." as your choice
9. Select "Standard Port" on the left window and "Printer Port" on the right window.
10. Click on "NEXT" then "YES"
11. Click on "NEXT"
12. Click on "FINISH" and close all windows.
13. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Windows Me Millennium:
5. Click on "DRIVER", then "Update Driver".
6. Click on Specify the location of the driver (Advanced) "Next"
7. Click on option to "Display list of all drivers."
8. Select all hardware. (choice)
9. Select "Standard Port" on the left window and "Printer Port" on the right window.
10. Click on "NEXT" then "YES"
11. Click on "NEXT"
12. Click on "FINISH"
13. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Windows 2000 Professional:
5. Click on "DRIVER", then "Update Driver"
6. Click on "NEXT" - Opens up window
7. Click on option to "Display list of all known drivers"
8. Click on "NEXT"
9. Select all hardware. (choice)
10. Select "Standard Port" on the left window and "Printer Port" on the right window.
11. Click on "NEXT" then "YES"
12. Click on "NEXT"
13. Click on "FINISH"
14. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Windows XP:
1. Click on "Start", then "Control Panel.
2. Double click on "System:, and click on "Hardware", then click on "Device Manager"
3. Click on "Ports (COM & LPT)" section, and click on "ECP Port".
4. Click on "Driver", then "Update Driver"
5. Click "Install from List or Specific Location (Advanced)", click on "Next"
6. Select "Don't search - I will Choose Driver to Install", click "Next"
7. Select "Show Compatible Hardware"
8. Select "Standard Port" on the left window and "Printer Port" on the right window
9. Click on "Next" and Click on "Finish" and close all windows
10. Reboot/Restart your computer to ensure the changes are activated.

Additional Info:
Most new computers, especially Pentiums and better, ship with their printer ports set for ECP or ECP+EPP. ECP, because of its high speed and data compression, is best used with Mass Storage devices such as tape units, external hard drives, etc. This setting can cause data transfer errors when connected to some of our dot matrix, LED, and inkjet printers and Windows Operating Systems 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP , etc..

The WINDOWS operating system's port driver configuration can be changed, so as not to use ECP, but Printer Port (normal). Please note that the procedure differs slightly for Windows 95 "B" version than other Windows 95 versions, and other versions of Windows, which you can check from the Control Panel, System properties/General tab.

If the procedures below do not correct the problem, have the customer contact the computer manufacturer for a resolution, as there are OEM versions of Windows 95, LPT.VXD patches, etc. Basically, the absolute resolution is to set the CMOS port to AT-Compatible, NORMAL, STANDARD, SPP or Bi-directional, depending on your manufacturer and computer BIOS type. However, making the following changes in your Windows environment usually corrects the problem.