"Error writing to LPT1 for the..." error message when you try to print a project in Picture It! or in the Digital Image Library (893715)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium version 7
  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo version 7
  • Microsoft Picture It! Digital Image Pro version 7
  • Microsoft Digital Image Pro 9
  • Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9

Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to print multiple images, large images, or a project, you receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Error writing to LPT1 for the printername. There was a problem printing to the printer due to an unknown system error.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if one of the following conditions is true:
  • Manual duplex settings for the printer are incorrect in the Microsoft Windows Registry.
  • Unnecessary printers are installed on your computer.
  • Image files in the project are too large.

RESOLUTION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Method 1

If manual duplex settings for the printer are incorrect in the Windows Registry, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all the programs that are running.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. In the left pane, locate and then double-click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Picture It\7.0\ManualDuplex

    Note Step 3 may vary depending on the product and its version that you have installed on your computer. For example, if you have Microsoft Digital Image Pro 9 installed on your computer, the registry path in step 3 will be:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Digital Image\9.0\ManualDuplex

  4. In the list of printers, click the name of your printer.
  5. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  6. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  7. In the left pane, locate and then double-click the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Picture It\7.0\ManualDuplex

    Note Step 7 may vary depending on the product and its version that you have installed on your computer. For example, if you have Digital Image Pro 9 installed on your computer, the registry path in step 7 will be:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Digital Image\9.0\ManualDuplex

  8. In the list of printers, click the name of your printer.
  9. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  10. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  11. Quit Registry Editor.

Method 2

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
If unnecessary printers are installed on your computer, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
  2. Right-click any printer that you do not currently use, and then click Delete.
  3. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  4. On the File menu, click Close.

Method 3

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
If image files in the project are too large, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
  2. Right-click the printer that you use, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Print directly to the printer.
  4. Click Print Processor, click WinPrint in the Print processor box, click RAW in the Default data type box, and then click OK.
  5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
  6. On the File menu, click Close.
  7. Convert the project image files to Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) files, compress the JPEG files, and then insert the JPEG files in the project to reduce the size of the project. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Open the image file in an image editing program.
    2. On the File menu, click Save As.
    3. In the File name box, type the name of the image file, and then click JPEG in the Save as type list.
    4. In the Save in list, click the location where you want to save the image file, and then click Save.
    5. Use the compression settings in the image editing program to compress the JPEG file. Save the JPEG file.
    6. Insert the JPEG file in the project, and then save the project.
    7. Close the project.
  8. Open the project, and then try to print the project.
Note If you still receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, repeat steps 7 through 8. However, in step 7, increase the compression level for the JPEG file without decreasing the quality of the JPEG file.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/4/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot KB893715 kbAudEndUser