WHOH! First page prints blank????

[BrentHedden]

I've come across several unusual printing problems, but this one has me scratching my head.

Here is the situation - I've got one layout I'm trying to print. The layout is only viewable as a Form, it's about 7 pages long, with fixed 1/2 inch margins all around. It only contains a body and no other parts. This layout contains only one large text field that spans the whole space of the layout. This text field is formatted Left-justified, 10pt Times New Roman with no other formatting. The file only contains one record, because it's pulling all info from other files.

When I print it, the first page comes out blank. The other 6 pages look just fine. I am using an HP LaserJet 2300. When I print the same thing to a different printer (A Xerox brand), it looks A-OK. When I use the Preview mode, it looks fine, too. When I create a PDF, that looks fine too.

I have tried - 1) updating printer drivers 2) changing fonts 3) setting no fixed margins 4) making sure the field is ONLY in the printable area of the layout, with some white space to spare on the sides.

None of my attempts have resulted in anything positive. What's weird is that this file comes from a template that I've used hundreds of times with no previous problems.

I'm beginning to think that there is something wrong with this printer, but this file is the only one giving me trouble with this printer.

I'm using Windows 2000 with FM Developer 6.0v4

Any ideas?

[BrentHedden]

I knew that I'd forget to include something.

I also tried printing in different resolutions, from the minimum to the maximum.

[DykstrL]

I have seen this on other HP printers, but it is usually the last page that prints blank or gibberish.

A few things come to mind as possible culprits.

The printer does not have enough RAM to render the pages - or the RAM amount is being relayed to the print spooler differently than whats actually installed.

A corrupt printer driver or print spooler. If the printer is a network printer, the print server may be sending out a corrupt printer driver - I've seen this quite a few times. Also if it is a network printer, the IP stack might be corrupt - which usually means a trashed network card.

Also, if there is a graphics option for the printer, make sure it is set to "Raster" and not HP-GL.

Good luck - I would be curious if you find out the problem - maybe you could post your results.

[BrentHedden]

Thanks for the insights.

This is a network printer, I guess I forgot to mention that. It's obviously a problem with the print server, because when I hooked up the printer strait to my computer (using a parallel cord), it works just fine.

None of the options that you mentioned I could access, except for the RAM amount being relayed (I'm using a Hawking PN7127P Parallel Printer Server).

I'm not going to sweat this much more. It's obviously an isolated problem, and doesn't have to deal with FileMaker. Maybe I'll update the memory someday to see if that changes anything.

[DykstrL]

I would guess then that your print server is distributing a corrupt printer driver. Replace the driver on the server with a fresh one from HP - you might even try the generic HP driver set for that series - and re-install the printer on the workstation. That just might fix it.