Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Kevin:

I've been using Illustrator since Illustrator 7.

For whatever reason, I cannot Print in CS3 without rebooting my computer. I'm using Windows XP.

Never experienced this problem with any version of Illustrator to include Illustrator 7,8, CS, CS2.

Initially, I thought I didn't have enough Memory because I was using 1 GB of RAM.

I've since upgraded my RAM to 4 GB. The problem continue to occur. With exception to one time I was able to go into Illustrator after installing the RAM upgrade. While performing other task on my computer I was able to print a page without rebooting my computer.

When I click on items to print within Recent Saved Items within Open Recent Item within Illustrator CS3 Welcome Screen. Saved items open. Designs and/or imagery are within work space template. Design and item(s) DO NOT Print. When I click on print to my non postscript printer the print page is BLANK. If I play around with Do Not Scale, Fit to Page or Custom Scale an image appear with print frame template to print. Nothing is printed.

I've noticed when I reboot my computer and click on saved work within Recent Saved items an image is loaded in layers. When I click on print the image is loaded within  print frame and an image is printed.

In the past with older versions of Adobe Illustrator programs I could work three four, eight hours or longer on other projects with my computer Design Related or non Design Related. Open Illustrator Print Images with No Problem Flawlessly. I've never had to reboot my computer to print an image in Illustrator.

Other Abobe Program(s) Print Flawlessly i.e. Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat 8 Professional.
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Other pertinent information:

I turn off my computer in Sleep Mode. I was informed many years ago constant rebooting of the computer places undue stress on the computer and will eventually cause instability. Best to leave in Sleep Mode.

If resources were low you could always reboot. I'm now utilizing 4 GB of RAM. Resources shouldn't be low.

Partial Specs on System, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 3.0 GHz with H T Technology, Memory, 4096 MB DDR2 Ram.

Kevin, Thank for your time and attention.

Looking forward to your response.

ANSWER: Hi Larry,

The one specification that you did not give me is your printer.  But I believe the answer is in your question. You are printing to a NON-postscript printer, which may not be compatible with AI CS3.

Also 4 gigs of RAM is not that much, my new mantra on this site is it is not how much RAM you have - its how much you have available.

If you have a lot of fonts loaded without a font management app, or a lot of windows supporting apps running they eat up all your RAM and leave you with very little to do other things, such as print. The fact that you restart and things get better leads me to believe that this may be the case. Check your memory usage control panel and watch how it increases as you work. AI CS3 required a LOT of free RAM.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kevin:

Many thanks

I'm using an HP Deskjet 9800d Printer.  

http://search.hp.com/query.html?lang=en&submit.x=3&submit.y=6&qt=HP+9800d&la=en&

I'm certain this problem wouldn't occur with a Brand New
Computer.

Eventually the problem would occur with saving files, installing more applications to hard drive and general wear of the computer

My XP is now three (3) yrs old.

"Also 4 gigs of RAM is not that much".

Please be reminded, I'm using an XP and using the maximum RAM required for my XP

BTW, I upgraded to 4 GB RAM. I'd been running on
1 GB for several yrs. It got to the point I couldn't open Illustrator, Photoshop and/or InDesign at the same time.

If I did the programs would crash or I couldn't cut and paste images from one application to the other.

With 4 GB of RAM I'm able to open Illustrator, Photoshop  InDesign and Acrobat at the same time, and listen to music or watch television with my Media Center PC.

I don't do it because it uses a lot resources. Since I've upgraded I now have that capability.

I'm very Cognizant of the Fact I'm running several applications at the same time.

In reference to a lot of fonts being loaded. Other than a couple of additional fonts I loaded on my computer. Mostly using default fonts with windows and my printer.

Generally when I turn on my computer from Stand By Mode I go to Illustrator and problem is the same.

I need to reboot to print an image in Illustrator CS3.

What's open?

Internet service on

Task Panel, Internet Service, Menu Bar

Outlook Express, to include 2 or 3 open email templates  to write letters.

Several  Webpages are open.

It need to be said, when I reboot my computer and go into Illustrator CS3 to print an image. Everything is fine as long as I leave Illustrator open.

Once I close Illustrator CS3 and open again trying to print an image again after 10-20 minutes I cannot.
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Other than buying a new computer which I'm not in the market to purchase.  My XP runs Flawless except for this one problem with Illustrator CS3

??? Why does this happen in Illustrator CS3 and not Photoshop and InDesign.

??? How do I alleviate this problem without shutting down my computer to print in Illustrator CS3.

Meaning, increasing the Available Phycial Memory, shutting down applications doesn't solve the problem. I still have to reboot to print in Illustrator CS3.

Kevin, Thank you for your time and attention.

Looking forward to your response.

Answer
Larry,

First, just because 4 gigs of RAM is what is required for XP, does not mean that it is optimal for your work environment. As applications update and new versions come out, more memory will be required, as you found out. To be honest you have a lot of things open and they all take away RAM from AI.

Second, there has to be something taking away your memory like a time bomb since you restart and it works, but then after a certain amount of time, it doesn't. Have you tried printing with NOTHING else open?

I have two solutions which will narrow down your issue.

1. Reinstall your print drivers again, making sure that you run all updates from both Adobe and HP. Your printer is not on the list of incompatible drivers so in theory it should work.

Then try working around AI again with nothing open but the application. If it works, then try it with your normal workspace running (e-mail, etc.) and again see what happens.

2. Uninstall and reinstall Illustrator and the print driver. Many times changing the application environment (memory upgrade, printer installs, etc.) can corrupt resources needed to run or in this case print properly.

If none of these work, then I am out of options. The puzzling thing is I know AI uses a lot more memory than ID or PS to keep rendering and such, so it may be a larger issue that you just haven't discovered yet. In other words, if you kept PS running for a longer time and worked in it longer, you may run out of memory with those too.

Thanks

Kevin