Customer runs win98, and is having problems with her deskjet 640C printer.

I take a look, and everything seems ok.

I try a test print, but only half the page prints… almost as if there is a comms problem between the PC and the printer (or the print buffer is cleared before it gets a chance to download to the printer).

I try to eliminate a cable problem by swapping from parallel to usb… I need to put the printer driver CD in the tray, as the usb software driver needs to be installed.

But I can’t see a CD drive in windows explorer… looks like a faulty CDROM drive as well. I go to the car and get a spare cdrom drive.

I install the CDROM drive… after struggling to open one of those old HP “origami” mini cases. You know the ones: you have to take out 5 screws in order to swivel the motherboard tray out the way, so that you can get access to the screws that are holding the CDROM in place… all within a very tiny and cramped case.

Anyway… CDROM is installed, I install the usb drivers, start printing again, and I get the exact same problem.

OK, its just not worth fixing the printer. I offer to sell a new printer to the customer. She agrees, so I return 2 days later, with a new printer (canon pixma).

Installation is flawless, except for it taking 15 minutes.

Test print works well, I do the requested print head alignment, and I’m on my way again.