I recently moved my NEC SuperScript 870 laser printer (no USB
connector) to a new Dell 2350 computer running Windows XP Home. Using
either the driver that XP installs, or the one that the NEC website
offers (the same one?) I get very slow response from the printer:
roughly 60 seconds for the first sheet and 30 secs/sheet after that.
Sometimes I get sheets full of horizontal smears in which
one-inch-tall words from my file are discernable. Cycling the printer
power before printing seems
to prevent smearing, but not the slow response. I have looked at
tech support websites but did not find an answer. What can you suggest
to help me?

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Request for Question Clarification by sgtcory-ga on 15 Jun 2003 07:51 PDT

Hello gojohns,

Do you have the basic memory (2MB) installed, or have you upgraded it to maximum?


Thanks for the clarification -
SgtCory

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Clarification of Question by gojohns-ga on 16 Jun 2003 05:24 PDT

Printer has the original 2 MB.

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Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 23 Jun 2003 01:11 PDT

Hi gojohns,

Odds are good this could be your problem:

Go into your BIOS. Normally, this is done by hitting the DELETE key
when your computer is booting up. Navigate to the page that shows the
port settings for LPT1. Could be called standard chipset options, or
the like. You are looking for LPT or Parallel Port.

Use the arrow keys to navigate. You can change the setting by hitting
the page down key. Choices will be similar to Standard, ECP, ECP+EPP,
EPP. Choose ECP. Right below that (normally as BIOS's are different)
enable DMA for the port. IF there is a choice, choose 3, or just
ENABLED if there is not a numerical choice.

To exit and save, hit esc to get back to the main page, then usually
F-10 and it will ask if you wish to save it. Click "y" for yes, then
enter.

If this doesn't work, you can always go back to your original setting
the same way. If you are uncomfortable working in the BIOS, ask a
knowledgeable friend to help.

But I'm willing to bet...

Other possibility, if you are already set to ECP, is that your printer
cable is not bi-directional. Is it a new cable? This is also worth
checking.

Let me know how it goes.

-=clouseau=-