You cannot print to HP Color LaserJet in PowerPoint 2002 (322281)

SYMPTOMS

If you print a Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 presentation that contains slides with a gradient background, only blank pages may be printed. The blank page is followed by a page with the following printer error message:

MemoryFull, Offending Command: image.

This problem occurs with the following Hewlett Packard printer:

HP Color LaserJet 4550 (Postscript)

CAUSE

This problem is caused by the way that PowerPoint 2002 sends the gradient background to the printer. In PowerPoint 2002, printing is controlled through a component called GDI+. Unlike previous versions of PowerPoint, GDI+ does not render the full gradient background in memory on the computer. Instead, a single one-pixel line is rendered in memory with a repeat command sent for the printer to render in the printer's memory. This process causes the printer listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article to run out of memory.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, either remove the gradient background before printing, or increase the memory in your printer.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

For information about how to contact HP, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z