Printing Error: Error Writing to LPTx the Device Is Not Ready

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

The following error messages may appear when trying to print under Windows NT version 3.5:

   Error writing to LPTx the device is not ready

   -or-

   Error writing to LPTx:
   The system cannot find the file specified.
   Do you wish to retry or cancel the job?

CAUSE

This can be caused by the following conditions:

• The parallel port is faulty or improperly configured.
• The cable is faulty.
• The printer device failed to respond with a 'not busy', 'not fault', or 'not printer' error after a reset is sent to the printer via the parallel port.
• Other hardware devices are conflicting with the I/O address of the parallel port.

RESOLUTION

Try printing directly to the parallel port from the command line. If you receive the same error message when trying to print from the command prompt, check your hardware configuration.

To check your hardware configuration, run the WINMSD.EXE utility (in the %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32 directory) and choose the 'IRQ/Port Status' button. In the ports section of the dialog box, find ParallelPort0 (LPT1) and/or ParallelPort1 (LPT2). Verify that no other devices are set to use I/O address 0x378 or 0x278. If you do not see the ports listed in WINMSD, confirm that the parallel port is enabled in your computer's CMOS memory and verify that the port is configured to use the standard I/O address setting of 0x378 for LPT1 and 0x278 for LPT2.

If this does not work you may need to replace your parallel cable or parallel port hardware.