I can print with word but not excel or PDFs

[Nic]

Help, please!

 

New to the forum and hoping someone has the answer.

 

I have windows 7, windows 2003 and have installed an Epson stylus DX3850. It won't save as the default printer. When I go to word the printer is on the drop-down list and I can print fine with it, but on excel it's not present in the drop-down list. Similarly with a PDF file.

 

I've tried uninstalling the printers and installing just the one printer but to no avail. I'm reluctant to buy a new printer as it's clearly working fine on word. Any ideas gratefully received... nic

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Nic.

Firstly, I am not too sure how old this printer is so I need to ask if it was originally used with an XP based computer?

If so, the drivers disk you have may not be fully compatible with Windows 7 and you would need the latest drivers to suit.

 

you may find the Windows 7 drivers you need here :-

 

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Stylus%20DX3850&By=Epson

 

If your system is the 32bit, click the blue Windows 7 box, then scroll down to the download button to download.

If Windows 7 64bit, then click the 64 bit version and scroll down to the download.

 

See if that works for you.

 

Nev.

[Nic]

printing problems

 

Hi Nev

thanks for getting back to me - really appreciate it. yes, I think it might have originally been used with an XP computer so it may be compatability issue, but would that account for the problem that I can use it with word and print out a printer test page, but not excel? It's the 64bit so I'll try what you suggested and will get back to you

 

Cheers Nicolle

[Nic]

sorry - I've gone to the link but I'm not sure which one to download - could you help?

[KenB]

Hi Nicolle and welcome to ExTS

 

If Nev's suggestion doesn't do it then look at repairing Office 2003 ( I assume this is what you meant when you wrote Windows 2003 ? )

 

Take a look here:

click here

 

You will need to scroll down for the repair options.

[Nic]

Hi Ken - thanks for that suggestion - will give it a go. Nicolle

[KenB]

Hi Nicolle

 

There is a more up to date driver here:

 

click here

[Nic]

didn't work I'm afraid - still not showing the printer on excel. Not sure which button to press on Nev's suggestion, either. Reluctant to randomly press anything as I'm not that confident. Any thoughts? many thanks

[KenB]

Just added a driver update ( our posts crossed ) - see my previous post :)

[Nic]

also, I don't know if it's relevant, but when I try to save the printer as the default printer (cause it's showing in the printer box so is definltely there) I get the error message "0x00000709 double check the printer name and check that the printer is connected to the network" - I don't have a network - just the one desktop...?

[Nic]

thanks for the second email - got it and tried it, but still not working - strange...

[KenB]

Download and install the drivers that I linked to ( post 7 )

 

Before you do that uninstall the drivers as per the link in post 5.

Then install the new ones.

 

I will take a look at that error message now.

[Nic]

thanks

[KenB]

Let's know how the uninstall - re-install goes.

[Nic]

any luck with the error message?

[KenB]

A variety of scenarios - did the uninstall / re-install change anything ?

[Nic]

I did what you suggested in #5, but I thought that was a repair rather than an uninstall, or have I missed something?thanks

[Nic]

afraid not - I uninstalled it and installed it again, but it's still only showing the PDF writer in the printer box. I just don't get why I can see the printer in devices and printers and it's fine on word. Maybe Ishould just get a new printer but might I have the same problem again?

[KenB]

I did what you suggested in #5, but I thought that was a repair

Sorry - that was my error I wanted you to uninstall the Printer Drivers :(

 

Just to confirm .... was it the Printer Drivers that you uninstalled ............. and not Office 2003 ?

 

So far we have suggested:

 

1. - Uninstall the old printer drivers then re-install the new printer drivers from post #7

 

2. - Try a repair of Office 2003 ..... if that fails uninstall then re-install Office 2003. ( post #5 )

 

Please confirm that you have done all of the above.

 

Just a note:

When installing new Printer Drivers leave the printer cable disconnected form the computer until the install process asks you to connect it.

 

==========

 

It won't save as the default printer

You say that you had other printers installed ...... could you set them as the default ?

 

Has this printer worked OK on this machine before ?

[Nic]

no, it hasn't worked on this computer before. I uninstalled and installed the printer driver; I'm cautious about uninstalling office 2003 - how would I reinstall it? I don't have the discs. Also there's a 2007 windows compatability pack on the programme list - is that something I should have or get rid of? I'm thinking of giving up and just getting a new printer but my concern is whether I might have the same problem or is this problem associated with old software? thanks for your help - I appreciate it - and will try the uninstalling office 2003 if that might help. I have done the repair programme

[KenB]

Hi

 

DO NOT uninstall Office 2003 if you don't have the installation CD - you will not be able to install it again.

 

Let's try this instead:

 

Download Open Office it is totally Free and is compatible with Office 2003 ( and newer versions )

click here

 

Once you install it try printing something from the Text and Spreadsheet options.

 

If it prints from here then it looks like a problem with MS Office.

[Nic]

thanks for trying but what I don't understand if, it's potentially a problem with Office, why aren't PDFs printing either? don't get it

[KenB]

Hi

 

why aren't PDFs printing either?

That's a good point .............

 

Please try Open Office and get back to me.

It is useful to have anyway :)

 

If it is a problem here too - I will look deeper into the error code you posted earlier.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, to save Ken some work :D

 

I have had a look for help regarding that error code, Microsoft have a few fixits or other help, try this one first :-

 

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/printing_problems/en-us

 

If that doesn't work have a look on this page and look into the various pages from it to see if anything is relevant for you.

 

http://search.microsoft.com/en-us/supportresults.aspx?form=mssupport&q=error%200x00000709%20default%20printer

 

Nev.

[Nic]

appreciate all of you trying - I've tried Nev's suggestions but can't fix it still - - I'm confused why it prints fine with word but not excel or PDF's. anyway, I've kind of given up and have bought a new printer so I hope that works ok! thanks again - and happy to try something else in the meantime as I really like the printer.