Printing is slowing down my computer

[Shaka]

I posted this in the Peripherals forum only to get 1 response. Although the response did confirm that it is not just my computer which suffers from this problem, it did not explain why the slowdown happens. I hope someone can help. Thanks.



Hi,

I have my HP Deskjet 812C hooked up to my Win2k System. I have it shared across a 100Mbit network with 3 other computers. My system is a P3-800Mhz with 256MB of ram. I get transfers of ~9MB/s across the network.

The problem is there is a noticeable drop in performance on my computer whenever someone on the network prints something. When I play Diablo2 and someone starts printing during my game, the framerate goes down so bad it's like a slideshow. I usually get 70+ fps even in scenes with a lot of action.

Is there something wrong with my settings? computer? printer?

Please tell me if I need to supply additional information about my setup. Thanks.

EDIT: grammatical errors

 

[DaddyG]

Have you tried playing with Process priorities under 2K ?? I'm not an NT/2K wiz, but in most multi-processing OS's you can adjust priorities to correct this type of problem. It could be possible that yor NIC is sharing an IRQ with some other critical device and effectively shutting out the other device. Wish I could be clearer.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

usb or parallel?

 

[kuk]

If parallel: ECP, EPP or neither ?

 

[NforSa]

I have a HP-695C printer and have the same problem!
It only happens when I use the HP drives, using defult in-built windows drives causes no problems.

Whenever I print, the entire comp slows to a craw (I can hardly play mp3's!)

It happens on all my systems (both Intel and AMD)

All I can think of is that HP writes sh1t drivers!

 

[JellyBaby]

<< All I can think of is that HP writes sh1t drivers! >>

While I've not had this particular problem I might agree HP's drivers could be better. They tend to cause occassional system lockups and other grief...at least I believe the printer drivers are at fault, either directly or in concert with something else in my config.

 

[Shaka]

Hi,

It's a parallel printer. I think it's using Printer Processor: WinPrint, and Default Datatype: RAW.

I don't think RAW is good... should I pick from:
a) RAW
b) RAW [FF appended]
c) RAW [FF auto]
d) NT EMF 1.003
e) NT EMF 1.006
f) NT EMF 1.007
g) NT EMF 1.008
h) TEXT

Also it is:
1) Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster
2) Start printing immediately

That stuff was from the Printer Properties

Also, this is from the Device Manager settings for the parallel port.

Filter Resource Method: Never use an interrupt.


Ok, I hope this is enough info cause I need help! Please help!

 

[Sugadaddy]

Is it set to spool print documents?

 

[Shaka]

Yes, it is.

 

[Quickfingerz]

set bios to ECP/EPP for your parallel port.

 

[Shaka]

Ok, I set it to ecp/epp. But, it had a lot of different settings. I don't know which one to use...