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Printer Stuff

Learn how to install and troubleshoot printers with this comprehensive guide. Includes tips, tricks, and solutions for common problems.

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Printer Stuff

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  1. Printer Stuff Fred Marshall Coastal Computers & Networks BBCC – May 11, 2004

  2. Printers • Installing printers • Tricks • Troubleshooting • Getting status • Canceling print jobs

  3. Installing Printers • A printer is a “peripheral device” • Each printer is unique – has different capabilities and controls • So, you have to install a “driver” (at least one time – maybe more)

  4. What’s a “driver”? • A driver is a software interface that deals with intimate hardware (i.e. printer) details: • Controls • Status read-back to the computer • It’s usually unique to the printer • It enables all your applications through Windows

  5. Installing Drivers the Hard Way • Control Panel / Add Hardware • Select the hardware or search for it • Select “Have disk” (if on CD or floppy) • Select the directory on the disk (this can be challenging) looking for an .inf file • Follow the instructions

  6. Installing Drivers – a little easier • Control Panel / Add Hardware • Let the computer search for the printer • Let the computer find the file on CD • Follow the instructions

  7. Installing Drivers - Easier • Plug in the hardware – let the computer find it. • Let the computer find the driver on the CD. • Let the computer install the driver.

  8. Installing Drivers - Easiest • Follow the instructions that come with the printer. • Alternately, download the instructions from the manufacturer’s web site. • This is a form of “RTFM” “Read the Fine Manual”!!!

  9. Testing Your Installation • Start / Settings / Printers • Right Click on the new printer • Select: “Properties” • Click on “Print Test Page” • Unless you’re troubleshooting, go ahead and say that it printed OK – even if it hasn’t yet!

  10. Installation Tricks • You can have as many versions of the same printer as you want! • For example: • HP Deskjet 1220C 8x11 • HP Deskjet 1220C 11x17 • HP Deskjet 1220C Postscript • HP Deskjet 1220C 8x11 Photo

  11. Installation Tricks • Why bother having different versions of the same printer? • Because it make take some trial and error to get the settings just as you want them. Remembering all the settings can be difficult. • So, keep the configurations separate.

  12. Problem Solving • Start with Help or the Troubleshooter! • Decide when to suspect the hardware (e.g. the cable or ink cartridges) • Can you print a Test Page from Properties? • Can you print from Notepad?

  13. Advanced Problem Solving 1 • Start / Printers … select printer • Double click on the printer • Are there documents in the queue? • Menu: “Printer” • Select: “Cancel all documents”

  14. Advanced Problem Solving 2 • Start / Printers … select printer • Right Click / Properties / Advanced Tab • Try “Print Directly to Printer”

  15. Advanced Problem Solving 3 • Use the web to research problems • Search with Google, search Microsoft knowledge base, etc. • Search pertinent news groups / usenet

  16. Fred MarshallCoastal Computers & NetworksIlwaco, WA(360) 642-2073

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