Hardware Tips

Keep your PC as neat as a pin; check your printer driver; control your drive letters.

Test Your Printer Driver

If your printer doesn't print, the fault could lie with its software or hardware. A quick way to check your hardware connection is to print from DOS. From Shutdown select "Restart in MS DOS mode" to get to the C:> prompt. Then type dir C:\windows>lpt1. If you get a printout, the hardware connection to your printer is fine and the trouble stems from the software. Try reinstalling the printer from the Add Printer icon in Control Panel. Also check the CMOS setup program for the proper EPP or ECP settings.

Send your questions and tips to kirk_steers@pcworld.com. We pay $50 for published items. Kirk Steers is a contributing editor for PC World.

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