thanks FunkyM thats a lot of tech support. the printer cannot print a test page without the pc according to HP. in device manager i can either disable or uninstall printer port LPT1 and i chose disable. when i reconnect the printer and power up the pc it doesn't recognize the printer or ask about choosing a driver. also there is no printer icon in the control-printers- icons box. i go to the device manager, open port lpt1 and select settings. here only "Never Use An Interrupt" is checked. i uncheck it and check "Use Any Interrupt......" and "Enable Legacy Plug & Play.......". i still can't print a test page. next, control panel and click on printer icon and port tab. the "ENABLE BI-DIRECTIONAL SUPPORT" option is disabled. that is the check area is greyed out. i try to enable it but can't. the BIOS is factory-set to ECP, and EPP option is disabled until a later upgrade. the win 2k troubleshooter determined that my printer cable may be at fault. i will obtain a cable and do a change. thanks again to all.