Word printing problems...

[fileuniverse]

Hi all -

Would really appreciate any help or advice on this one. I'm long time
mac user, and have had trouble free computing for a long time - but
I've developed a frustrating problem in the last few days:

I cannot print Word or EXCEL documents, but I can print my mail
messages. The printer tries to print--the paper runs thru just like it
should and the stylus sweeps back and forth, but nothing appears on
the page. Also the print display has changed. It used to come up with
two lines "Print All" or "print from ___ to __" . Now I get a third
line which is "Enter pages to be printed as 2, 5-8". This software
feature just started a few days ago.
Could this be some kind of virus? Because I can print mail messages--
note that in printing Mail I do not get the third option to print as
2, 5-8--it would seem to be a WORD and EXCEL related problem but why
should both have this problem. I looked at the PRINT preferences and
nothing jumps out at me. Should I reload MICROSOFT office perhaps?

Also when I read a WORD document and ask for a PRINT, when I go to
close the document I get the message "Do you want to save the changes
you made to the document" when I have not made any changes to the
document...frustrating!

Any ideas or advice would be greatly received...this is driving me mad!

Many thanks indeed.

 

[CyberTaz]

Have you updated anything recently - OS, Office, printer driver? Changed
printers? You might first run Disk Utility - Repair Disk Permissions & see
if that helps. Since you don't mention OS X or Word/Office versions or what
type of Mac it is there's not much more to be suggested right now.

The fact that Word & Excel are not printing correctly is certainly a
problem, but most of your other observations are quite the norm and problems
with printing are seldom the fault of the application.

Print services are actually provided by the OS & the print driver. There are
several to "choose" from & the program in which you're printing determines
which to call, so it's not unusual to see a somewhat different
dialog/options - it varies with the program in use. The Print dialog content
can also vary when you select a different printer.

Also, any time you specify/change settings & print a document you *are*
making changes that you may or may not want to save - regardless of whether
you actually edit the doc content. The print specs are saved in the file.
Are these perhaps files that were created using a different printer, now
being opened on another computer and/or using a different printer?

Further, reinstalling Office is *rarely* a cure for anything - in fact, it
_could_ create other problems and at best is typically a waste of time. Try
repairing permissions first - especially if this in an HP printer. You may
also need to see if there is a more current driver/patch available on the
printer mfr's web site. Should you need to install an update make sure to
repair permissions afterward. If that doesn't help, post back & go from
there. Please supply more info as indicated above as well as any other
details even if seemingly unrelated.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[fileuniverse]

I think I found the source of the problem - clogged ink cart head...!

trying to get it fixed now. Many thanks indeed for the help - really
appreciate it.