PLEASE HELP!!

[John Sheffield]

I have been using a mail merge routine for several years,
starting with Windows 95 and Word 6.0. The routine
extracts data in an Access database and dumps it into a
Word document that is subsequently printed as a
catalogue. Originally it worked perfectly. Then as the
systems were upgraded, or computers replaced, the problems
began. Today I use XP as the operating system and Office
2000. Here's the specific issue. The mail merge still
works but when I send the document to the printer
it "stalls" the printer. When the printer is reset it
prints a few pages of garbage then stops. I can print all
my other documents so I think it is not a printer issue.
I've also been downloading all the updates for Office 2000
as they become available and wonder if there is a conflict
with Norton. I can't seem to find anything in the
knowledge base that addresses this so any help from
readers of this post is appreciated.
Thaks!

 

[Peter Jamieson]

I don't have any particular ideas on this one, but
a. Is it a large document?
b. Do you have any formatted bullets in the mail merge main document?
c. is the printer connected to the PC performing the merge or is it on a
network?

Do you have some evidence that NAV is interfering (i.e. have you had more
success when you turn NAV off) ? It has certainly been known to interfere
with other things related to merge.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Still no particular ideas, but...
a. have you got the latest version of the drivers for the printer? (What
printer is it?)
b. are you printing directly from the merge or creating a new document
first then printing it?
c. is it possible to identify a specific point in the document which causes
the problem, e.g. by printing each page of the document separately?
d. does it make any difference if you change any of the print options (e.g.
via the "Options" button in the Print dialog box - perhaps uncheck
background printing, Allow A4/Letter paper resizing etc.)?

 

[John Sheffield]

And the solution is.......
Yes I downloaded the current, updated drivers for my printer which is
HP5p. However installing the new drivers did not make any difference.
However (drum roll please), installing a HPIII printer seems to have
solved the problem. Everything is now printing as it should, all mail
merge routines work fine.
Thanks to all for thier suggestions and advice.