Diagnosing parallel printer problem

["vector" <root@localhost>]

All,

I have a Grappler+ card with all DIP switches set to off (no printer
emulation) installed in an Apple IIe Platinum.  I am having trouble using
the card to print.

I've tried connecting different printers to the card with different results.
My HP Deskjet 500 would spit out a single sheet of paper whenever I tried to
print to it from MECC Writer.  My HP OfficeJet C630 did even less.  I
noticed that one of the printers (sorry, can't remember which now) would
jiggle the print head when I connected its cable to the Grappler+.  The
other printer didn't do that when I connected it.

I don't know where the problem lies: the software I'm using to print, the
Grappler+, the cable connecting the Grappler to the printer, HW settings on
the printers, or something else.  I thought a parallel printer connected to
any parallel card would at least print plain text, which is all MECC Writer
can print.  (For the record, I also tried to print a disk's directory
listing from Copy II Plus.)

I've never had a parallel card and printer connected to an Apple before; is
there some kind of foolproof test to determine that my card functions
properly?  Maybe I need to find an older printer?  Ich weiss nicht...