Printing Woes

[slbr549]

I'm using FM5.5 Server (MAC) and FMPro 5.5 (MAC and PC's). My problem is inconsistent printing between buildings. When printing from my PC, the layout prints perfectly - rather it is for 1 page or multiple pages. When printing from another building (using PC's), it cuts off the last 2 or 3 lines on page 2. The document always ends in ###. Is this a special control character that could goof up some drivers, particularly when it needs to print multiple pages? The PC's are using Win98.

Both printers are HP's, although different models. However, the layouts print fine on various other printers in my building.

I have tried different layout setups, such as fixed page margins at 0, and also .50, as well as no fixed margins.

Can anyone tell me what other things I need to look at? Do I need to set the resolution differently, install another driver?

Thanks for any thoughts or assistance you can give. I haven't run into this problem before, and have run out of my own ideas.

[Kurt Knippel]

Sounds to me like there is some issue with the printers and/or printer drivers in that other building.

It is possible that the "###" on the layout is screwing up the printers, but I doubt it.

What kind of printers are we talking about here. You said HPs, but which ones specifically. Which ones work and which ones do not.

[slbr549]

Wow, that was a quick reply. Thanks!!

The printer that it is printing correctly to is a HP LaserJet 2100M, the one that is not printing correctly is a HP Laser 5.

Thanks again.

[Kurt Knippel]

I am not familiar with the 2100M, but I would have suspected that the 5 would be OK and the other would be problematic.

I would start by making sure that the drivers are installed properly and that it is the latest version from HP.

It is also possible that the 2100 allows a larger printable area on the page and that you tested using this, so that when you print to the 5 it simply cannot print to the lower area of the page and it will just cut it off.

The above is a classic problem when reports are designed on a laser printer and then you try to print on an inkjet, which have a much smaller printable area on the page.

[slbr549]

The cutoff point is not stable. For example, sometimes it cuts off the last 3 lines on page 2, sometimes the last 2. In both instances, it does this about 1/4 of the way down the page, so there is plenty of room left to print on.

There have also been instances where there will be a "double" space on the first page, and the first line will print after that space, then print again on the second page.

I have a script that removes the ### and puts it back in. So far, it's working, but I'm not comfortable that this is the last this problem will appear.

I will check the drivers and download new ones. Is there a reason why other programs don't have trouble printing to this same printer? (I'm sure there is, but I'm at a loss).

Thanks for your help.