Inspiron 8500 - Parallel Port Connection Problem

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

My Inspiron 8500 has developed a problem at the PP. No matter what
cable I use (and I've tried many), the connection is inconsistent at
the PP. I belive there is a cracked or loose connection inside the
back panel where the port is attached to the motherboard. Is there
any reasonable way to get into that area and look for a bad
connection?

Anybody else had this problem?

Paul

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Follow-up: Tried three different cables. Printer prints fine on all
three cables when attached to another computer. So the printers
and the cables are not the problem.

If I attach a cable to the PP port on the Inspiron 8500, it usually
will not print unless I wiggle the connector a bit and hold it as
I hit the Print button. It will then print just fine. I really
believe I have a broken or loose connection from the PP connector
to the motherboard.

What's the drill to remove the bottom of the computer and inspect
the connections?

Paul


On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 17:34:15 -0400, "BigJIm" <Jim10277@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>could be but I would try another printer first to see where the problem is
><pj.chris@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:19oi61pa37l7ca46j7r2begqmq1c7q1929@4ax.com...
>> My Inspiron 8500 has developed a problem at the PP. No matter what
>> cable I use (and I've tried many), the connection is inconsistent at
>> the PP. I belive there is a cracked or loose connection inside the
>> back panel where the port is attached to the motherboard. Is there
>> any reasonable way to get into that area and look for a bad
>> connection?
>>
>> Anybody else had this problem?
>>
>> Paul
>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Yes. No USB option. It's a Lexmark Optra S 1620....ancient these
days....but, printer is fine.

Paul

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 14:08:36 GMT, "Laura" <invalid@sample.invalid>
wrote:

>Does this printer also give you an USB option? It does sound like the PP is
>the culprit. It might be easier to switch to USB than to open up the case.
>
><pj.chris@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:5ehk6198kj9qqp2fea2a5ekdeaq4245jlb@4ax.com...
>> Follow-up: Tried three different cables. Printer prints fine on all
>> three cables when attached to another computer. So the printers
>> and the cables are not the problem.
>>
>> If I attach a cable to the PP port on the Inspiron 8500, it usually
>> will not print unless I wiggle the connector a bit and hold it as
>> I hit the Print button. It will then print just fine. I really
>> believe I have a broken or loose connection from the PP connector
>> to the motherboard.
>>
>> What's the drill to remove the bottom of the computer and inspect
>> the connections?
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>
>> On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 17:34:15 -0400, "BigJIm" <Jim10277@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>could be but I would try another printer first to see where the problem is
>>><pj.chris@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>news:19oi61pa37l7ca46j7r2begqmq1c7q1929@4ax.com...
>>>> My Inspiron 8500 has developed a problem at the PP. No matter what
>>>> cable I use (and I've tried many), the connection is inconsistent at
>>>> the PP. I belive there is a cracked or loose connection inside the
>>>> back panel where the port is attached to the motherboard. Is there
>>>> any reasonable way to get into that area and look for a bad
>>>> connection?
>>>>
>>>> Anybody else had this problem?
>>>>
>>>> Paul
>>>
>>