Win7 64-bit: suddenly won't print; devices work fine

Windows 7 64-bit
Canon MP610 USB printer
Test Page works fine for the Canon Printer; it takes a long time but Test Page also works for Acrobat; works quickly for XPS Document Writer.

I honestly don’t know where to go next. I think the problem is in how Windows communicates the print instructions from applications to the print devices. But I don’t know how to go there. Hoping for help here and much appreciated.

No hardware changes; I had installed two software apps so I’ve uninstalled them with Revo so I don’t think there’s a software issue. Nothing else has changed since I could print merrily along.

My problem seemed to start in Acrobat 8 (Pro) and only intermittantly but it is now system-wide and inevitable. When I try to print to anywhere, I either get a "printer not responding" message or a stall requiring a task manager "task end". I've had failures with screen prints, MS Word, Acrobat (either in the browser or stand-alone). On the stalls, I get to preparing for background print and there it sits. That seems to be true for both the Canon and Acrobat.

I've checked everything I can think of printer-wise. I've always had the Adobe as default but I switched it to the Canon. No change so I switched it back.

I've run the oh so (not) helpful Windows 7 printer trouble shooter. Nothing found there except I had unchecked the share box as I tried to solve the problem. The troubleshooter suggested I turn it back on so I did. Still no change.

I installed the 64-bit driver for the Canon but that was when I thought it was the problem. I don't think so now but that's the driver that's on here now.

I wanted to send PDFs of my system and settings but I can't so, here's what looks like it might help and I'll add as requested.

From the properties on the Canon:
Sharing: Both Share this printer (Canon MP610 series Printer) and Render print jobs are checked. The only driver listed as installed says x64 Type3 - User Mode.
Ports: USB001 Virtual printer port for ... Canon Inkjet MP610 series [other ports listed but not checked] Enable bidirectional support IS checked; Enable printer pooling is not.
Advanced: Always available.

• Driver: Canon Inkjet MP610 series. That changed (I think) when I installed the 64-bit driver. Canon MP610 series Printer is on the drop down menu but not currently in use and neither are document converters or XPS document writer.
• Spool print documents ... radio box selected as is Start printing immediately
• Print directly to the printer is NOT selected.
• Below the line, Print spooled documents first and Enable advanced printing features are checked; the other two boxes are not.
• Printing defaults are what they've always been and not - I think - important here.
• Print Processor is BJ Print Processor4. Canon MP610 series Print Processor and winprint are not selected; I did try switching to the MP610 processor with no change. Default data type is RAW.

Color Management is set to the monitor's profile.
Security: I discovered that the two manage permissions weren't selected for everyone. I'm the only user so I changed that. Again, no change and, based on the Acrobat settings (below), I’ve changed it back. Seems it’s supposed to be that way.
Maintenance: There doesn't seem to be any issue to be worked with here.

Okay. For the printer settings for Acrobat:
Actually there were 3 documents stuck in its queue but removing them didn't cause any change in printing - to anything.
Sharing: Share this printer (Adobe PDF) and Render print jobs are enabled. x64 Type 3 – User Mode is the only installed driver.
Ports: “Documents\*.pdf” is the port. Description is “Adobe PDF Port” and the printer is “Adobe PDF”. Here bidirectional support is greyed out. Enable printer pooling is not checked.
Advanced: Always available; driver is Adobe PDF Converter.
Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster and Start printing immediately are also selected.
Below the line Print spooled documents first is the only box checked.
Color Management: again, I’m ignoring this.
Security: This is like the other was before I changed it, to wit, only “print” is checked allow for Everyone. Administrator and User (me) have all three permissions. I’ve changed the Canon back and left this.
Device Settings:
Form To Tray Assignment OnlyOne: Letter
After the Font Substitution Table,

• Available PostScript Memory: 4096 KB
• Output Protocol: ASCII
• Send CTRL-D Before Each Job: No
• Send CTRL-D After Each Job: Yes
• Convert Gray Text to PostScript Gray: Yes
• Convert Gray Graphics to PostScript Gray: Yes
• Add Euro Currency Symbol to PostScript Fonts: No
• Job Timeout: 600 seconds
• Wait Timeout: 0 seconds
• Minimum Font Size to Download as Outline: 100 pixel(s)
• Maxiumu Font Size to Download as Bitmap: 600 pixel(s)

Not sure where to turn or what to do. I'm very sure I appreciate the time you've taken reading this far.

ignatzatsonic said:

Have you tried a System Restore to a time prior to the first appearance of this problem?

Eureka! Thanks so much. Should have thought of it but that's why it's so great this group is here. Sort of like a huge brain!

I don't think a lot had changed and I'm more than willing to figure that part out. Now I can print the Tour de France bib numbers which was what started it all in the first place.

Thank you!

DavidW7ncus said:

You could also try resetting the print spooler queue.

Print Spooler Queue - Clear and Reset

That might well have worked but I know a whole lot LESS about that operation or, for that matter, about that queue. If the restore hadn't worked, I'd be learning quite rapidly about the print spooler queue clear reset (sounds redundant) I promise you.

Thanks so much for taking the time.

gregrocker said:

I would make a Win7 backup image of your System now that you can use to reimage the HD if printer stops working again. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Oh! Absolutely a good idea. I need to know more about imaging anyway. Backups I do; imaging not so much. But the tutorials here are superb and I'll head over there right away. You're so right. Now is only a little too late.

Thanks uh... Greg?

gregrocker said:

Be sure to make the Repair CD if needed for System Image Recovery

Ah. Yes, thanks.

BTW, I browsed through all the seven forums to see where I might be a helper rather than the seeker I've been here. I'm retired now and not developing websites or using a lot of leading edge products. I honestly don't think my used-to-be expertise has developed with the times and couldn't find an area where I might contribute. Somehow it seemed important to say that, not just to you but to the others who've helped me so much. And, , those who likely will in future.

So. Many, many thanks - back and forward.