Print icon brings up print properties box

uThere is no fax installed.
The printer was disconnected (while both it and the computer were switched
off - just the USB cable pulled out).
The laptop had some work done on it.
Everything reconnected while switched off.
Computer switched back on, then printer switched back on.
It prints OK - just that it doesn't recognise the default printer by use of
the printer icon button. There is no other printer installed - is there any
other reason why the "select printer" box would come up?

This computer is my Mum's and when it was disconnected I did some work to
"fine tune" it for her. The only thing I remember to do with printing was
somewhere there was an option to make the computer automatically search for
and find networked printers or not. I thought it was in system settings but
can't find it now. Since this computer is not networked and has only a local
printer I deselected this option as somewhere I read that having the computer
search for networked computers & printers that aren't there slows it down.
It may have even been a file in the startup programs - anyone know where
this setting would be so I can check it out again? Thanks

"Byte" wrote:

> If you have Fax installed your printer is not the only printer. Your Fax
> app itself (Capture BVRP) will become a printer and can be set as default.
> Rightclick the printer in Control Panel/Printers and Faxes and click "Set as
> Default". You may need to uninstall and reinstall the printer, due to the
> fact
> that you disconnected it and probably rebooted your PC without it.
> Uninstall & reinstall Printer
> http://www.coribright.com/windows/Article%20One.htm
> --
> Some days you're the windshield,
> some days you're the bug.
>
>
> "ozegirl" wrote:
>

> > Win XP Sp2 all new & patched
> > HP PSC 1310 printer
> >
> > All worked as normal Printer icon would print automatically with default
> > print settings; File - Print would bring up print properties dialogue box to
> > select options.
> >
> > Unhooked printer from laptop. Since reconnecting printer, the print icon
> > button reverts to bringing up the print properties box as happens with going
> > File - print.
> >
> > There is only one printer attached - it is shown in "Printers and Faxes"
> > with a tick. There is nowhere to check it as the default printer as it is the
> > only printer.
> >
> > How can I make the print icon button just do straight default prints again?
> > thanks

I think I have figured something out. This behaviour has been occurring since
the latest Windows update. I have several computers and they are all
exhibiting the same behaviour - whether XP or Win 2000 and irrespective of
printer. The print icon still performs "auto" for a word document, and File -
print still brings up the "old" properties box, but it is in Outlook express
where I have noticed the change - previously the print icon would print out
an email automatically, and File - print brought up the properties box. Now
whether using the print icon or File - print the same box comes up: with
General/Options on the main tabs, and now instead of a "properties" button
there is a "preferences" button which must be used to get to the options for
orientation, etc. My husband said this definitely didn't happen on his
computer before. So it must be a change brought about by the Windows update??

"ozegirl" wrote:

> uThere is no fax installed.
> The printer was disconnected (while both it and the computer were switched
> off - just the USB cable pulled out).
> The laptop had some work done on it.
> Everything reconnected while switched off.
> Computer switched back on, then printer switched back on.
> It prints OK - just that it doesn't recognise the default printer by use of
> the printer icon button. There is no other printer installed - is there any
> other reason why the "select printer" box would come up?
>
> This computer is my Mum's and when it was disconnected I did some work to
> "fine tune" it for her. The only thing I remember to do with printing was
> somewhere there was an option to make the computer automatically search for
> and find networked printers or not. I thought it was in system settings but
> can't find it now. Since this computer is not networked and has only a local
> printer I deselected this option as somewhere I read that having the computer
> search for networked computers & printers that aren't there slows it down.
> It may have even been a file in the startup programs - anyone know where
> this setting would be so I can check it out again? Thanks
>
> "Byte" wrote:
>

> > If you have Fax installed your printer is not the only printer. Your Fax
> > app itself (Capture BVRP) will become a printer and can be set as default.
> > Rightclick the printer in Control Panel/Printers and Faxes and click "Set as
> > Default". You may need to uninstall and reinstall the printer, due to the
> > fact
> > that you disconnected it and probably rebooted your PC without it.
> > Uninstall & reinstall Printer
> > http://www.coribright.com/windows/Article%20One.htm
> > --
> > Some days you're the windshield,
> > some days you're the bug.
> >
> >
> > "ozegirl" wrote:
> >

> > > Win XP Sp2 all new & patched
> > > HP PSC 1310 printer
> > >
> > > All worked as normal Printer icon would print automatically with default
> > > print settings; File - Print would bring up print properties dialogue box to
> > > select options.
> > >
> > > Unhooked printer from laptop. Since reconnecting printer, the print icon
> > > button reverts to bringing up the print properties box as happens with going
> > > File - print.
> > >
> > > There is only one printer attached - it is shown in "Printers and Faxes"
> > > with a tick. There is nowhere to check it as the default printer as it is the
> > > only printer.
> > >
> > > How can I make the print icon button just do straight default prints again?
> > > thanks