performa 475 says "serial port" in use, won't print

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performa 475 says "serial port" in use, won't print

My elderly mother uses a Performa 475 with an HP Deskwriter printer, which is very important to her (and all she can handle for a computer). Print function doesn't work; the error message says, "Sorry, couldn't complete the operation because of a system error. The serial port is already in use."

It had other problems, such as slow start, and that seems fine after replacing the battery. I tried unplugging and ran a test print on the printer and that works. Then I ran MacCheck which says, "Volume/System File check detected problems." I got the same thing running it after starting without extensions. With the Utility disk in I double-clicked the Apple HD SC setup icon and tested the hard disk and that was "successful". When I ran Disk First Aid from the Utility Disk to verify, it said, "Problem: Invalid catalog, PEOF, 4, 319998 . . .problems were found but Disk First Aid cannot repair them." MacCheck, before I ran it also said duplicate system folders were found.

I'm not a techie but hope I can help her get the system printing. I would greatly appreciate any help with this problem. Thanks.

ibook G4

Posted on Nov 8, 2007 3:16 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 8, 2007 5:51 PM in response to suses

Print function doesn't work; the error message says, "Sorry, couldn't complete the operation because of a system error. The serial port is already in use."

51447- StyleWriter 1500: Serial Port in Use By Another Application

The article says do a restart and all will be well again.
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"Problem: Invalid catalog, PEOF, 4, 319998 . . .problems were found but Disk First Aid cannot repair them."

You have a file that ends before it is supposed to. (PEOF -- Premature End Of File). You will need a more industrial-strength Disk Repair utility to fix it, or back up what you can and reformat (all files on the drive will be lost). Be very cautious about Norton Utilities -- the wrong version will wreck your Hard drive.

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Answer 2

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Nov 8, 2007 11:05 PM in response to suses

Would it be correct to assume that this is a normal serial printer connected to the Printer Port (that is, a LocalTalk network is not used)? If so, it is a good idea to switch off AppleTalk (in the Chooser).

Jan

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Answer 3

Nov 9, 2007 5:51 AM in response to suses

If a restart doesn't clear the problem, zap PRAM. See Mac PRAM, NVRAM, CUDA/PMU & Battery Tutorial

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 4

Nov 9, 2007 5:56 AM in response to suses

Re: PEOF Error

Look at *Disk First Aid: Invalid PEOF Error*
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=16231

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 5

suses Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2007 3:12 PM in response to suses

Re the serial port issue, I tried restarting first and that didn't help. So I went to Chooser and opened DW 3.1 (AppleTalk) and clicked Inactive on its menu. I saw the phone icon was selected rather than the printer one, so opened other Chooser icons and the phone was selected on all. Then I went back to DW 3.1 (AppleTalk) and had to click Inactive again, then checked DW 3.1 (Serial) and it had the printer icon chosen. I went to File-Page Setup as it told me to and clicked OK. And then the port issue was resolved and the printer worked (although it hasn't been used lately and doesn't want to grab the paper some of the time, rusty I guess.) Thanks, Jan.

(I'm wondering if a power surge or if the battery draining caused that serial port setting to revert to default?)

I haven't addressed the PEOF issue because the computer is doing what my mother needs it to, but printed out the information shared; thanks Tom and Grant.

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Answer 6

Nov 14, 2007 5:58 PM in response to suses

(I'm wondering if a power surge or if the battery draining caused that serial port setting to revert to default?)

Yes, it does. Serial Port settings, including AppleTalk settings, are some of the many parameters stored in Parameter RAM (PRAM). The parameters are normally maintained by a tiny "always on" 5 Volt Power Supply. If the power fails, the battery kicks in to protect the parameters across the power failure. If it is over 3 years old, sometimes it can't do the job and the parameters get corrupted.

Sometimes you can get much more life from a backup battery. If you do, Merry Christmas! But if it's over three years old, you should be suspicious of the battery. If you turn off the power strip at night, you may get quite a bit less service from that battery.

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