Embedded .jpg/Excel files and plot failures

I've got one computer where I can't figure out why it simply will not
correctly plot AutoCAD files embedded with any sort of image file (usually
jpegs) or MSFT Excel spreadsheets to our HP 1055CM large format printer. I
can get partial plots to work from our HP Laserjet 5000, but nothing usable
from the big printer. Both printers are hooked up to separate machines on
our P2P LAN.

The computer in question is not the most sophisticated or up-to-date, but
other than this printing issue it seems to operate AutoCAD sessions without
heartache. The machine is a 2.0Ghz based Celeron with 256 MB of RAM. It's
equiped with a 128MB FX5200 video card with the latest nVidia drivers, if
that matters (installed recently, but the printing problem was an issue even
before the new card was installed). We are running 2K2 on this one, along
with an ArchT menu add-on. BTW, it's also the only machine in the office
with this sort of configuration (a Celeron).

The general problem is that during the plot generation process, the AutoCAD
session will suffer a fatal error or even sometimes will simply crash the
session and close itself out without any sort of warning popup. This occurs
with larger embedded files or multiple embedded files. With smaller
embedded files (like a jpeg of a site map or a project logo), the plot
generation process will generally finish, but the end result at the hardcopy
will be mixed; most times the printer will plot portions of the jpeg, then
will a) stop plotting the remainder of the image or Excel page, or b) plot
the remainder completely black.

We plot directly to our printers since we do not have any sort of plot
lauching software. However, this does not seem to matter; I've tried
generating plot files written directly to the hard drive and those sessions
nearly always end with a fatal error popup, and a required closing of the
2K2 session.

If I truly had to guess, it seems to me like this is a memory problem, but
I'm not certain enough to really say for sure. Moreover, all other apps see
m to work fine, and more importantly print correctly to the big HP. I'm
hoping that there's a setting or variable within 2K2 I can adjust before I
go through the hassle of getting approval to buy new modules that I may not
even need. I'd appreciate any feedback or advice. TIA.

 

Oh, I forgot...I've also reinstalled the printer within Windows XP Pro
multiple times, with zero effect.

 

The printer was indeed set for In Printer, but changing the setting made no
difference; 2K2 still suffered a fatal error during the plot generation
process (I did a plot to hard drive test) just as quickly as before. BTW,
we do use PC3s for all plot generation.

I suspect you are correct about the lack of memory, though it's curious that
we have two older sub 1GHz P3 Dells that are operating with only 256M of
memory (one with the dreaded RDRAM, which is one excuse why we haven't
boosted the amount) and both running XP Pro (clean installations) and
2K2...no apparent problems aside that the initial file and ArchT load-up
sometimes seem to be longer than it probably was when they were running
Win98/Me.

This is my first experience with Celerons...I didn't do the purchasing of
this particular machine and if I have any say I truly doubt I'd ever
consider one again for anything other than word processing, browsing and
simple office apps. WHY we bought this thing for the CAD side is still a
mystery to me: it just doesn't pay to leave on vacation for all the
'wonderful' surprises I invariably get when I return. Despite the clock
speed, it far too often seems slower than our comparible-RAM P3s, even
though this particular generation of Celeron is supposed to be based off the
late P3 or early P4s. Must be that overlong Intel CPU pipeline rearing its
fugly head once again.

Thanks for your advice...guess I've got to get the purchase order process
going.