Microsoft KB Archive/104971

"Error 21" Print Overrun on HP LaserJet 4 Printer

"Error 21" Print Overrun on HP LaserJet 4 Printer

Q104971

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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Publisher for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a
 - Microsoft Publisher for Windows 95
 - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.1
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SYMPTOMS
========

An "error 21" Print Overrun may be displayed on the printer when you use
the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet 4 printer. This error is most likely to
occur when you use a lot of Picture or BorderArt images opn a page.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has reported this problem to HP. We are researching this problem
and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it
becomes available.

WORKAROUNDS
===========

Method 1: Switch from HP-GL/2 (Vector) Mode to Raster Mode
----------------------------------------------------------

1. From the File menu in Publisher, choose Print Setup.

2. Make sure the LaserJet 4 printer is selected

3. If you have Publisher 2.x:

      Choose the Options button.

   If you have Publisher 95:

      Choose the Properties button.

4. If you have Windows 3.x:

      In the Graphics Mode list box, select Raster instead
      of HP-GL/2.  Choose OK to return to Publisher.

   If you have Windows 95:

      In the Graphics Tab, select Use raster graphics.  Choose 
      OK to return to Publisher.

Method 2: Use the HP LaserJet III Printer Driver
------------------------------------------------

Print to the HP LaserJet 4 printer using the HP LaserJet III printer
driver:

1. From the File menu in Publisher, choose Print Setup.

2. Select the LaserJet III printer. If you do not have a choice for a
   LaserJet III, you will need to install the driver. Consult your Windows
   user's guide for instructions on  installing printer drivers.

Method 3: Use the Add-on PostScript Option
------------------------------------------

Print to the HP LaserJet 4 printer using the add-on PostScript option,
if it's available:

NOTE: You can try this workaround only if your HP LaserJet 4
printer came with the PostScript Option.

1. From the File menu in Publisher, choose Print Setup.

2. Select the LaserJet 4 PostScript printer driver and choose OK. If you
   do not have a choice for the LaserJet 4 PostScript printer, you will
   need to install the driver. Consult your Windows user's guide for
   instructions on installing printer drivers.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The HP-GL/2 printer language is vector based. It defines a curve using a
recursive algorithm creating a series of very short lines. Some basic
objects such as a circle in BorderArt are printed by defining thousands of
lines. This may overflow the printer's memory. Adding memory to the printer
does not necessarily resolve the error message.

In Raster mode your image is interpreted as a bitmap, so the printer memory
does not become overloaded with an untold number of line descriptions.

NOTE: Other memory issues could be considered--for example, making sure
that you have a valid SET TEMP= statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, and
that the directory it points to exists.

Additional query words: 2.00 mspub error 21 20 HP4 print printing
2.00a rastor 3.00