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)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm