Microsoft KB Archive/27684

“Printer Not Ready” Error Message with Parallel Printer

PSS ID Number: Q27684 Article last modified on 11-02-1994

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MS-DOS

= SUMMARY =

If the “Printer not ready” or “Enter Y to continue, Esc to cancel” error messages continue to occur while printing with a printer connected to a parallel port, there is probably an improper communication process in use.

The problem is caused by Word trying to send information to the printer, but the printer is still processing what had been previously sent and is not ready for the new information.

The problem can be corrected by issuing a DOS MODE command prior to entering Word, to tell both Word and DOS to continuously retry sending information to the printer if the printer is not ready the first time.

The general syntax of the MODE command shown below; however, the syntax may vary with different versions of DOS. Please consult your DOS manual for additional information.

MODE LPTx:,,p

Be sure to enter the name of the port that your printer is connected to (LPT1:, LPT2:, or LPT3:) in place of LPTx: in this example.

KBCategory: kbother kberrmsg KBSubcategory: Additional reference words: ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.