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Windows Update borks elderly printers in typical Patch Tuesday style (Dot Matrix? Who knew?)
The Register ^ | Nov 17, 2017 | Shaun Nichols

Posted on 11/17/2017 4:00:31 PM PST by dayglored

Updated Microsoft's latest batch of software updates for Windows has been blamed for a mysterious ailment befalling some poor old Epson dot-matrix printers.

Reg readers let us know that, after installing this week's Patch Tuesday payload from Redmond, their Windows boxes no longer work with Epson's dot matrix printers (which are still a thing, apparently, especially among those working with accounting software like Sage).

"I had two clients today whose Epson dot matrix printers stopped working after applying this month’s cumulative update on Windows 10 and Windows 7," one tipster told us. "It just seems to eat the print job."

In a discussion thread on the cockup, netizens report having the same problem with their Epson printers being unable to print out documents when the dot-matrix devices are connected to their Windows 10 PCs via USB.

Other printer types, such as inkjet printers, are not thought to be knackered by the latest patches.

"I have 40 computers in my firm with dot matrix," wrote user Saintneo. "My customers are upset I can't print invoices to them. This is outrageous."

Other folks have suggested the problem can be traced back to the KB4048954 update on Windows 10, KB4048958 on Windows 8.1 and KB2952664 on Windows 7. Some users have reported that removing those updates fixes the problem.

The software patches were bundled with Microsoft's November security fixes that addressed multiple exploitable flaws in Windows, Edge, and Office. It is not unusual for Patch Tuesday releases to cause unintended stability problems, which is rather annoying: either don't patch and get hacked, or patch and lose access to stuff.

Last month, for example, a misconfigured update was blamed for a bad batch of patches that caused Windows boxes on WSUS to blue screen when trying to boot up.

Neither Microsoft nor Epson have responded to a request for comment on the matter, and there's no word yet on when a fix could be released. Once again, Patch Tuesday is followed by Facepalm Friday. ®

Updated to add

Microsoft and Epson are now officially working to resolve this bug.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: printers; windows; windowspinglist; windowsupdate
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To: zeugma
I prefer "real" books but I do have to admit the electronic ones are easier to move.

Since I deal in used and rare books I have access to a bunch of books that I pick up for pennies so I can indulge my vice cheaply where I would have to pay through the nose for electronic books.

21 posted on 11/19/2017 12:54:47 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear
Since I deal in used and rare books I have access to a bunch of books that I pick up for pennies so I can indulge my vice cheaply where I would have to pay through the nose for electronic books.

Speaking of used/rare books... One of these days I'm going to get serious about picking up a 1910 Brittanica set. If you're interested in some ebooks that won't break the bank and are into science fiction, check out the Baen Free Library. They have a bunch of them available for free download in just about any format imaginable. Beware though, the evil bastards at Baen understand the concept of "the first one's free". The 1632 series is especially good, and it has expanded from a single novel into about 15 books and over 70 "gazettes" of short stories set in the 1632 universe. I also recommend anything by John Ringo. I'd read a grocery list if he put it together.

22 posted on 11/19/2017 5:06:40 PM PST by zeugma (I always wear my lucky red shirt on away missions!)
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To: zeugma

About 80% of the current sci-fi I read is printed by Baen. I enjoy their “Monster Hunter’s International” by Larry Correia too. Ryk E. Spoor is a good author if a bit predictable.


23 posted on 11/19/2017 6:57:25 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

The MHI stuff is great. Lots of interesting characters. And guns. lots of guns. :-)


24 posted on 11/20/2017 6:21:23 AM PST by zeugma (I always wear my lucky red shirt on away missions!)
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To: dayglored

Accounting firms use dot matrix printers for old forms.


25 posted on 11/20/2017 6:21:55 AM PST by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: Elderberry

My wife’s company was sending their Laserjet 4100’s to Goodwill. I snagged one with an extra toner cartridge. They are battle printers. All I had to buy was a 90 degree power cord because it was duplex.


26 posted on 11/20/2017 6:23:47 AM PST by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: AppyPappy

You definitely scored. I just did a price check. MSRP - $1,405.00 Refurb $189 - $99


27 posted on 11/20/2017 6:33:34 AM PST by Elderberry
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To: ShadowAce

lol


28 posted on 11/20/2017 7:16:30 PM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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