Surviving the Blizzard: Printer Troubleshooting and Why You Should Avoid Inkjet Printers
Welcome back, information technology enthusiasts and fellow frustrated souls! Today, we are diving into the chaotic world of printers with a focus on a recent support ticket that left me scratching my head and questioning the sanity of certain claims. The ticket read, “My printer is not working due to a bad snowstorm”. Yes, you read that right. I had to pause and ask myself, can a snowstorm really take down a printer?
The Snowstorm Excuse: a Clown's Tale
First things first, let us address the elephant in the room. The idea that a snowstorm could disrupt communication between a printer and a computer is laughable. Sure, we have all heard about electrostatic discharge taking out electronics during a thunderstorm, but snow? Come on! Unless your printer is directly exposed to the elements, it is not likely that a snowstorm is to blame for your printing woes.
This particular enduser was trying to connect their ancient printer, fifteen years old, mind you to a computer running Microsoft Windows seven operating system with a universal serial bus cable. Now, I am not here to knock Micorosft Windows seven operating system; it is a classic! But trying to run modern expectations on an old machine is like trying to run a marathon in flip-flops. Spoiler alert: it is not going to end well.
The Fix: a Step-by-Step Guide
So, how did we resolve this enduser's printer dilemma? It was not because of the weather but through a good old-fashioned software removal and installation again. Here is a quick rundown of the steps I took:
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You Will Want to Remove the Printer Software: Then you will need to navigate to
Programs and Featuresin the Microsoft Windows operating system Control Panel, find the printer software, and remove every entry associated with it. If there are multiple entries, you will want to remove them all. -
Check Devices and Printers: After removing the software, you will want to check
Devices and Printersin order to ensure the printer is no longer listed. If it is, you will need to right-click and remove it. -
You Will Want to Manually Remove the Printer Driver: This is a crucial step! You will want to open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys on your keyboard and then type in
printui /s /t2. This will take you to the Print Server Properties where you can manage your printer drivers. You will want to remove the driver associated with the old printer. -
Now You Can Reboot Your Computer: After removing everything, you will want to restart your computer. This ensures that all changes take effect.
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Now You Can Install the Software Again: You will want to download the latest printer software, but do not connect the printer until the installation program prompts you to do so. You will want to follow the on screen instructions, then connect that printer with a universal serial bus cable when prompted! You should be printing again.
The Case Against Inkjet Printers
Let us talk about why I believe you should think twice before investing in an inkjet printer. Here is the deal: inkjet printers are notorious for their annoying clogs and complex circuitry. They often come with a hefty price tag for ink replacements, and if you leave them dormant, you might as well consider them a decorative piece of art.
If you are in the market for a printer, I strongly suggest looking into used or refurbished laser printers. They are generally more reliable, easier to maintain, and you will not find yourself running to the store every month for ink refills.
Final Thoughts
After resolving this enduser's printer issue, I cannot help but reflect on the absurdity of blaming a snowstorm for technical difficulties. Remember, electronics do not care about the weather; they care about being properly maintained and updated.
If you find yourself constantly battling with printers, consider alternatives like using a local library or a print shop. Trust me, sometimes it is worth the small fee to avoid the headache of printer ownership altogether.
So, the next time someone blames a snowstorm for their printing troubles, you will know better. Stay logical, stay sane, and as always, keep your information technology devices running smoothly!