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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 02:59:39 PM

Title: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 02:59:39 PM
Since an Avast update, my wife has been unable to print off. Could that update be the cause of the problem or is it just a coincidence?
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 17, 2015, 03:01:58 PM
What error messages is she getting ???
What OS, What printer and what version of Avast ???
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 03:09:10 PM
Windows 8.1 EpsonXP312, and Avast Internet Security.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 17, 2015, 03:12:07 PM
Windows ??? XP, 7, 8.1,10 ???
Is this a shared printer ???
What error messages are you getting ???

Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 03:20:24 PM
The message roughly stated that her laptop couldn't connect with the printer.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 17, 2015, 03:27:56 PM
The message roughly stated that her laptop couldn't connect with the printer.
Is the printer setup for sharing and, is the laptop finding the printer ???
(Please remember, I'm not sitting in front of your computer so you need to give me as much information as possible. )
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 03:31:16 PM
Windows ??? XP, 7, 8.1,10 ???
Is this a shared printer ???
What error messages are you getting ???
W8.1
Shared in the sense that it is used wirelessly by various family members.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 17, 2015, 03:40:12 PM
Here's what my shared Epson printer looks like:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1431869865897-46948.png)
Was the driver installed on your wife's Laptop ??? Is that computer finding the printer ???
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 04:48:42 PM
Hi. I don't have access to the laptop at the moment but can tell you that all members of the family can print from the Epson wirelessly. Until a few days ago, my wife was printing from her laptop without problem. Using my iPad, I can still print without problems.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 04:51:27 PM
Hi. I don't have access to the laptop at the moment but can tell you that all members of the family can print from the Epson wirelessly. Until a few days ago, my wife was printing from her laptop without problem. Using my iPad, I can still print without problems.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 17, 2015, 04:54:16 PM
When you get access to the laptop, refer back to my post and see if the laptop finds, the printer.
If not, is sharing set up properly ?
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 05:58:10 PM
One thing you have to make clear is what Avast you are running. Your answer to Bob was Avast Pro, but your signature says AIS.

If you got AIS you have to open Avast Firewall in Options. There is a section about System Rules and Allow Windows to share files and printers. Sorry I can't be more specific but it has been a while I used AIS.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 17, 2015, 09:51:20 PM
One thing you have to make clear is what Avast you are running. Your answer to Bob was Avast Pro, but your signature says AIS.

If you got AIS you have to open Avast Firewall in Options. There is a section about System Rules and Allow Windows to share files and printers. Sorry I can't be more specific but it has been a while I used AIS.
Although I still don't have access to the laptop, I believe you are right and my wife does have AIS. IF so, will follow your advice.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 04:56:55 PM
Here's what my shared Epson printer looks like:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1431869865897-46948.png)
Was the driver installed on your wife's Laptop ??? Is that computer finding the printer ???

Have the laptop in front of me now and the properties window has only 3 table; General, Hardware and Web Services. No sign of 'sharing' choices.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 18, 2015, 05:14:35 PM

Control Panel> Devices and Printers> Right Click your printer > Select Printer Properties:


(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1431961775023-64497.png)


Once you do that you should see the following for your printer:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1431961870948-64581.png)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 07:59:27 PM
Thank you for the simple step-by- step instructions. Using them I found the right window and altered the the share settings. My wife tells me that the main problem is that when she clicks to print, for example, a document, the print window does not appear. Instead another window offering to save or cancel is offered.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 08:10:52 PM
If you got AIS you have to open Avast Firewall in Options. There is a section about System Rules and Allow Windows to share files and printers. Sorry I can't be more specific but it has been a while I used AIS.

AIS it is but couldn't find Options.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 08:23:58 PM
Have just tried to print a document but just as my wife said, am being offered  a save window instead of the usual print one. :(
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: essexboy on May 18, 2015, 08:31:15 PM
A picture is better than a thousand words..  Set your preferences as shown

Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 08:50:51 PM
Hi essexboy.

Could you tell me if under System Rules in your image you have this:

Image is for Avast 8. The only AIS I've tried.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: essexboy on May 18, 2015, 08:55:07 PM
Yes same in 2015 :)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 09:08:03 PM
 
Yes same in 2015 :)

 ;D Thanks.

@ blowtorch73

Look at esseboy's screenshot. Make sure you have it the same. Then, down below in Packet rules, click on System rules. Now look at my screenshot and enable "Allow Windows to share files and printers"

That is the setting I want you to tried. Cross fingers and toes ;)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 09:52:04 PM
Won't have access to laptop until tomorrow when I will re-read the whole thread and carry out recommended action. Being in the UK, I'm not sure of best time for communication.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 18, 2015, 09:59:14 PM
Won't have access to laptop until tomorrow when I will re-read the whole thread and carry out recommended action. Being in the UK, I'm not sure of best time for communication.
essexboy is also in the UK so there shouldn't be any problems. :)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 10:57:23 PM
Here's what my shared Epson printer looks like:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1431869865897-46948.png)
Was the driver installed on your wife's Laptop ??? Is that computer finding the printer ???
Bob, should I click on additional drivers?
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 18, 2015, 11:08:11 PM
You need to do that from a computer were the printer works.
Download it to USB drive and have it ready on the laptop that's not working if it can't find the driver.
I've never needed to do that.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 18, 2015, 11:47:07 PM
You need to do that from a computer were the printer works.
Download it to USB drive and have it ready on the laptop that's not working if it can't find the driver.
I've never needed to do that.

The quoted reply apart, I believe that I have carried out all of the advice given in the replies above and having done so, when I attempt to print, I am still being offered 'Save'.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 12:15:07 AM
Is the shared printer set as the default device on the laptop that's giving you a problem ???
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 06:53:45 AM
I really don't know what's causing the problem Bob because until last week, there were no problems. And I can still print from my iPad. That said, it is the iPad that highlighted the problem. I have a pdf file that I couldn't print from my iPad, so I forwarded it to the laptop to print from there not knowing that the printer wasn't responding to the laptop. A friend suggested that I re-install the printer but at that time I felt that to do so would be using a sledgehammer and I therefore decided to come here for help.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 03:30:57 PM
You still haven't answered the basic question. Is the laptop showing the printer as one of the option to print ???
If it is, print a test page and see if that works. If it does, make sure you select your printer as the device to print what ever you want it to print.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 03:47:04 PM
Yes same in 2015 :)

 ;D Thanks.

@ blowtorch73

Look at esseboy's screenshot. Make sure you have it the same. Then, down below in Packet rules, click on System rules. Now look at my screenshot and enable "Allow Windows to share files and printers"

That is the setting I want you to tried. Cross fingers and toes ;)

Done! Will try printer now.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 03:50:48 PM
You still haven't answered the basic question. Is the laptop showing the printer as one of the option to print ???
If it is, print a test page and see if that works. If it does, make sure you select your printer as the device to print what ever you want it to print.

Bob, I am not getting the options window when I click on print. The window that comes up is one giving the choice to save or cancel.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:03:20 PM
You still haven't answered the basic question. Is the laptop showing the printer as one of the option to print ???
If it is, print a test page and see if that works. If it does, make sure you select your printer as the device to print what ever you want it to print.

Bob, I am not getting the options window when I click on print. The window that comes up is one giving the choice to save or cancel.
Then your printer isn't assigned or available.
Solve your problem of setting up the printer first. Unless that's resolved, you'll never be able to print.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 04:15:06 PM
The printer is shown in Printers and Devices. Do you mean reinstall it Bob?
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:17:40 PM
Do you mean reinstall the printer Bob?
No, but the printer needs to be installed on the laptop. Actually your Laptop need to find the shared printer.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 04:39:31 PM
No, but the printer needs to be installed on the laptop. Actually your Laptop need to find the shared printer.

Can anyone tell me how to go about this given that the Epson XP-312 printer is shown in devices and printers? The real problem seems to be that when I click on print, the machine wants to create and save a pdf file.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:43:03 PM
Is it set as the default printer and can you print a test page ???
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:45:03 PM
 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432046639572-27783.png)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 04:48:39 PM
A right click on the device brings up the following options:
 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432046834842-23741.png)

You could also choose the Troubleshoot option if you can't get it assigned as the default.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 04:59:10 PM
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432046639572-27783.png)

Same as yours Bob.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 05:16:06 PM
A right click on the device brings up the following options:
 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432046834842-23741.png)

You could also choose the Troubleshoot option if you can't get it assigned as the default.

The printer was not set as default but is now. However, when I click on print I still get the save (as PDF) or cancel option.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 05:20:17 PM
Did you try to print a test page ???
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 06:04:59 PM
How do I do that?
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 06:16:22 PM
How do I do that?
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432051990466-8731.png)

 (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1432052135270-95046.png)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 06:55:51 PM
Thank you for that, I have now printed off the test page. :)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 07:08:29 PM
That means the printer is now ready to print anytime the print function is available.
Still need to know what it is that you are trying to print and why Print isn't an option.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 07:17:07 PM
My wife is trying to print off documents for a forthcoming holiday, some work related documents and a couple of emails. I've been trying to print a PDF document from an email. Tried again a few minutes ago with the same result: no which printer, no number of copies, no number of pages and so on.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 08:21:12 PM
Managed to print off the emails and PDF files by forwarding them to my iPad and printing from there. However, no improvement on printing from the laptop.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 08:28:23 PM
Managed to print off the emails and PDF files by forwarding them to my iPad and printing from there. However, no improvement on printing from the laptop.
How are you opening the pdf file ??? What program are you using??? If you simply right click on the pdf file the only options you get are to download or delete.
Once the pdf file is opened then you should be able to use the print function within the program you used. Just make sure that your printer is one of the device available for printing.
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: REDACTED on May 19, 2015, 08:38:49 PM
Bob, your latest questions don't really matter because thanks mainly to you, our printer is up and running again. Wasn't so half an hour ago but it is now so thank you and your forum colleagues so much for the tolerance, patience and of course advice given. :) :) :)
Title: Re: Printer
Post by: bob3160 on May 19, 2015, 08:53:15 PM
Bob, your latest questions don't really matter because thanks mainly to you, our printer is up and running again. Wasn't so half an hour ago but it is now so thank you and your forum colleagues so much for the tolerance, patience and of course advice given. :) :) :)
My please, glad I was able to help. :)