'Print Preview Failed', Fao Of Buenchico (Or Other Smart People)

[Neveracrossword]

My previously fine Kodak printer is now not printing. It's not printing off emails, it's not printing documents - all I get is the 'Print Preview Failed' message. I had problems a few years ago, and Buechico and others suggested re-installing the printer driver,. I used Buenchico's link for that and it worked, but can't do so today - clicking on the link brings 'Can't retrieve that page'. That's possibly because the link is so old now? Is there a more up-to-date one I can use?

The printer is a pretty basic Kodak ESP 1.2. I'd be grateful for any help or advice... or magic wands!

[Buenchico]

It seems that the driver for your printer is no longer available from the official Kodak website. If you're still using the same computer as you were the last time that you had a problem, the driver installation file might still be in your 'Downloads' folder. (It's called 'aio_install.exe' but the 'exe' bit might not be shown in your file list). If so, use that file again because you know that it's 100% safe.

If you've not still got the file on your computer though, Google appears to suggest that this link is safe:
https://drv.oemdrivers.com/dl/get-dl.dln?soc=Kodak&sploc=digital/software/inkjet/v7_9/Bits/webdownload/aio_install.exe

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Buenchico. I have a newer laptop, so I won't have the Download (though I'd probably never find it anyway!). There's now an additional nuisance - there's no problem with my husband printing from HIS laptop! If I install the latest driver stuff on my laptop, will that muck up my husband using his?

[Buenchico]

No, it won't cause any problems. However you might want to ask him where he got the driver installation file from. If he managed to dig out the disk that came with the printer, use the driver installation file from that. If he downloaded the file from somewhere, get him to check whether 'aio_install.exe' is still is in his 'Downloads' folder. If so, you can use a USB pen drive to copy it across to yours or, of course, he could email it to you.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks again, Buenchico. My husband knows even less than I do, and it would have been me who installed stuff in/on his laptop! I decided to just work from the link you gave - seeing as it shouldn't affect the other computer/laptop. I got the Error Pape 404 message, 'doesn't exist or was hot-linked...' 'Hot-linked? This techy vocabulary is way beyond me!

[Buenchico]

Oh blast!

I'd already eliminated one link that I'd found, as it didn't work, but I failed to check that one out thoroughly. Sorry!

You could try the zip file here:
https://www.driverscape.com/download/kodak-esp-1.2-aio

Use the first of the three 'Download' buttons. Enter the security code and click the button again. Download the file to your desktop (or perhaps to a new folder somewhere). Double-click on it. Press Ctrl and A together to select everything. Click 'Extract'. Then double-click on 'Setup.exe' on your desktop (or wherever).

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks yet again, Buenchico. As your latest advice/information isn't a simple one-click thing, I will make myself a strong coffee and take a note of what's to be done. I like things all set out, better for me than jumping between windows. I'll update (!) you later.

[Canary42]

Why not just swap laptops with your husband.

:-D

[Tuvok]

https://www.kodakdriver.com/kodak-esp-1-2-driver/

[Neveracrossword]

Buenchico and Tuvok, I give up! Buen... I got so far with your Download, but stalled/mucked things up at "Double click on it. Press Ctrl and A together..' - I kept just getting a list of files, techy info. I moved on to Tuvok's suggestion and downloaded, installed, whatever - then got a message saying the driver on my laptop was 'current'. My hopes were dashed (again) when I tried to print and got 'Print Preview Failed'. I'll just have to email my stuff to my husband and he can print it off.
Canary, swapping laptops would be horrible, for all sorts of reasons. It's taken us, separately, years to master the few bits we CAN do on our respective machines.

[Neveracrossword]

Buenchico - hope your sigh or groan isn't too loud- I'm back again. You previously gave suggestions for a new printer, but Brexit, Covid, supply problems meant that I just limped along with what I had. I'd be quite happy to replace it with something more reliable. John Lewis stock two Pixmas. Are those still good buys?

[Buenchico]

Ah! I'd forgotten that (because I've got some third-party software on my computer) what you see on your screen might not be exactly the same as I see on mine. I've now gone upstairs, to a different computer (that's just using the basic Windows software), to see if I can emulate what it is that you're seeing.

If you've still got the downloaded file on your computer, double-click on it again. If you've not still got it, download it (as above) and then double-click on it.

Then click on 'Extract all files'.

You'll be asked to select a destination but just leave what's already filled in unchanged. Click 'Extract'.

Once the process is finished, you'll be shown the contents of the extracted folder. 'Setup' will be listed twice, once as the name of a folder and once as the name of an application. Ignore the folder and double-click on the application to start the driver installation process.

After the driver has installed, restart your laptop.

Good luck!

[Neveracrossword]

Buenchico, thanks for your patience as well as for your know-how! I followed your instructions. I clicked on 'Application' to start the Driver Installation Process, it moved on - as if it was starting - and within a couple of seconds I got the 'All-in-one printer software is current'.* I am convinced there's a little gremlin in there somewhere, clinging on to something vital. I think a new printer/scanner is needed - as much for my sanity as anything else! Are the Pixmas still highly recommended?
*And when I did a trial print, the 'Print Preview Failed' reared its very ugly head.

[Buenchico]

Start typing 'printer' into the Windows search box.

When 'Printers and scanners' appears above it, click on it.

Click on the name of your printer.

Click 'Remove device'. (If asked to confirm your action, do so).

Restart your laptop.

Return to, and run, the Setup application.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks again, Buenchico. I might - only might - work up to trying that tomorrow. As the Kodak has been a bit of a pest at times, I want to have a back-up plan for a replacement. I bought one once, years ago, and discovered that the ink cartridges cost around the same as the printer. Do you have any recommendations for reasonably-priced printers with reasonably-priced cartridges? PS We've been using your inkredible people for a while now.