Bell+Howell printer problems???

tjsmith · Post by **tjsmith** » Tue Aug 20, 2002 4:53 pm

Has anyone come across a fix for adding a printer to your Bell+Howell System. Here is my problem....I had a LexMark Optra E printer, it has kicked the bucket. So I went and found a Canon Printer/Scanner/Copier all in one. Which is the perfect solution for back here, but it will not work with my Bell+Howell System, because of a little black box connected to my printer port, which carries the License to use Bell+Howell. I called them & they told me that all they support is LexMark Optra E printers...end of discussion...We cannot help you GOODBYE!!!! And now the office manager says that the LexMark Optra E is old & has been upgraded to an Optra S. The Canon printer I bought will work if you take the black box off the port, but my Bell+Howell system will not. So I was wondering if somebodyelse has ran accross this problem and if so,is there a fix for it?

callbob · Post by **callbob** » Tue Aug 20, 2002 6:12 pm

I have a Canon Ink Jet on my B&H, works fine of course had to set up in Windows. Be certain you have a 1284 compliant printer cable. You might also look at aetting up via USB if your printer and B&H have USB. Would be best to have Win98 on the B&H is you try to use USB. Hope this is helpful.

tjsmith · Post by **tjsmith** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 8:43 am

Thanks for the reply. I am running Windows 95B, & I am in the process of trying to hook up a USB connection, but seems not to be working. B&H told me that we did not qualify to be upgraded to Windows 98, and we were on our own, what the heck that means. I tell you B&H tech support has very RUDE, I mean RUDE with me on this one.

I know darn well you can hook another printer besides a Lexmark. I know that every dealership that is on B&H does not use a Lexmark...sorry I just felt like venting.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 1:58 pm

OK, I'm a bit confused here. I am NOT a B+H customer, I use EDS PI2, but I am getting in a situation I might need to know a little bit about B+H. When you say they told you you don't qualify, do they own the equipment, like on a lease? That was one of the main selling point on EDS for me, I own my equipment, and I decide what I do with it. (Currently running Win2000 Server). As a customer, can't you INSIST that they upgrade your equipment periodically? Or is this only at contract renewal time? I get confused sometimes over computer issues, mainly because I own all my equipment, and don't get involved in any leased equipment anymore. Let me know more about this, as I may need to know when D2D is deployed.

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riley1319 · Post by **riley1319** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 3:37 pm

Hello. I have been a Bell and Howell customer for over 8 years now. I just signed a new contract and purchased all of my own computers. I am running Windows 2000 on all 7 of my computers. I have to printers hooked up right now. The first one is a network computer and plugs into the hub that all my computers plug into. I can print to that printer from any computer in the dealership. I also have a printer connected via USB to my computer. The problem with yours seems to be that you have to use USB so that it does not conflict with your Bell and Howell adapter,but Windows 95 and USB do not work well together. I would say that it is time to upgrade your Windows system.

callbob · Post by **callbob** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 7:31 pm

Until recently B&H provided the equipment. The contract was usually for 5 years and did not require that they upgrade you to the latest and greatest. They did however maintain the hardware and overnite a replacement monitor or CPU as required. I switched to EDS a couple of year ago (at my GM store). Once parts got used to it they are happy with it, but no one likes change. You are right Win95 does not work well or at all with USB. My computers that run EDS Parts Imager also have a "dongle" on them. That is how they control the use of the software. No "dongle" no work. At the Chrysler store my B&H runs on a Canon printer OK. Hopefully at the end of this contract with B&H Starparts will be completely operational to where I won't need B&H. All considered the cost difference between the two is not significant when you consider the hardware maintenance that comes with B&H.

tjsmith · Post by **tjsmith** » Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:32 am

Well, come to find out USB will not work, the parrell port will not work because of B+H license, & they will not support any printer but a Lexmark, & B+H says I cannot upgrade my Windows95. I guess I will just have to make due untill our contract is up.

Matt Parsons · Post by **Matt Parsons** » Tue Aug 27, 2002 9:06 am

TJSmith, what OEM's (GM, Ford, etc.) are you using your B&H system in support of?

tjsmith · Post by **tjsmith** » Tue Aug 27, 2002 11:45 am

Hey Matt,
"GM"
Thanks

daveb ASI · Post by **daveb ASI** » Tue Aug 27, 2002 9:05 pm

TJSmith, I have seen other stores add a second parallel port card if there was a slot available on the back of the machine. Once installed they simply run the printer off of that port. These cards can be had for around $50 or so and don't require a hardware engineer to install. Although it's not your pc, its just a thought...

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daveb ASI

[This message has been edited by daveb ASI (edited 08-27-2002).]