"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote in message
...
In article , "Blair"
wrote:
I have installed the printer as a network printer and I now get the
message
"There was an error writing to LPT1 for the printer(Epson 880). Cannot
access the port. It may be in use by another printer."
I may have chosen the wrong port when installing it. Was LPT1 correct? I
always thought that LPT1 was the correct port for printers.
I should point out that I have also a laser printer on my desktop but I
can't see that would make a difference.
Regards
Blair

You don't understand what a "network printer" is. It means that the
printer is physically connected to another computer on the network,
and that the printer isn't physically connected to the Win98SE
computer.

If there were a cable running directly from the Win98SE computer to
the printer, it would be physically connected to the Win98SE printer,
and it would be a "local printer". But there isn't, so it's a
"network printer".

Since the printer isn't connected to your Win98SE computer, you can't
tell it to use the Win98SE computer's LPT1 port for the printer. LPT1
is your printer's parallel port, and the printer isn't connected to
your computer's parallel port.

This should get everything working:

1. Un-install the printer on the Win98SE computer.

2. Run the "Add Printer" wizard.

3. Tell it to install a network printer.

4. When it asks for the network path or queue name, press the Browse
button and locate the shared printer on the other computer.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Further to my last message I noticed that my HPLaser printer was blinking so
activated the printer and out came one of the items I had tried to copy and
then a window showing the printer appeared on the screen with the title PCL
printer. When I checked the list of printers there was the PCL printer and I
did not ask that printer to be shared.The printer continued to blink so I
tried to cancel the print jobs but it took no notice
Normally when I print on this printer a window appears showing the laser
printer.
Perhaps if I had managed to download the software this would have been
correct?
Any advice?
Regards
Blair