Printer StuffPrinter Stuff

Fred MarshallFred Marshall

Coastal Computers & NetworksCoastal Computers & Networks

BBCC – May 11, 2004BBCC – May 11, 2004

PrintersPrinters

• Installing printersInstalling printers

• TricksTricks

• TroubleshootingTroubleshooting

• Getting statusGetting status

• Canceling print jobsCanceling print jobs

Installing PrintersInstalling Printers

• A printer is a “peripheral device”A printer is a “peripheral device”

• Each printer is unique – has different Each printer is unique – has different capabilities and controlscapabilities and controls

• So, you have to install a “driver” (at least So, you have to install a “driver” (at least one time – maybe more)one time – maybe more)

What’s a “driver”?What’s a “driver”?

• A driver is a software interface that deals A driver is a software interface that deals with intimate hardware (i.e. printer) with intimate hardware (i.e. printer) details:details:

ControlsControls Status read-back to the computerStatus read-back to the computer

• It’s usually unique to the printerIt’s usually unique to the printer

• It enables all your applications through It enables all your applications through Windows Windows

Installing Drivers the Hard WayInstalling Drivers the Hard Way

• Control Panel / Add HardwareControl Panel / Add Hardware

• Select the hardware or search for itSelect the hardware or search for it

• Select “Have disk” (if on CD or floppy)Select “Have disk” (if on CD or floppy)

• Select the directory on the diskSelect the directory on the disk

(this can be challenging) looking for an .inf file(this can be challenging) looking for an .inf file

• Follow the instructionsFollow the instructions

Installing Drivers – a little easierInstalling Drivers – a little easier

• Control Panel / Add HardwareControl Panel / Add Hardware

• Let the computer search for the printerLet the computer search for the printer

• Let the computer find the file on CDLet the computer find the file on CD

• Follow the instructionsFollow the instructions

Installing Drivers - EasierInstalling Drivers - Easier

• Plug in the hardware – let the computer find it.Plug in the hardware – let the computer find it.

• Let the computer find the driver on the CD.Let the computer find the driver on the CD.

• Let the computer install the driver.Let the computer install the driver.

Installing Drivers - EasiestInstalling Drivers - Easiest

• Follow the instructions that come with the Follow the instructions that come with the printer.printer.

• Alternately, download the instructions Alternately, download the instructions from the manufacturer’s web site.from the manufacturer’s web site.

• This is a form of “RTFM”This is a form of “RTFM”

“ “Read the Fine Manual”!!! Read the Fine Manual”!!!

Testing Your InstallationTesting Your Installation

• Start / Settings / PrintersStart / Settings / Printers

• Right Click on the new printerRight Click on the new printer

• Select: “Properties”Select: “Properties”

• Click on “Print Test Page”Click on “Print Test Page”

• Unless you’re troubleshooting, go ahead and Unless you’re troubleshooting, go ahead and say that it printed OK – even if it hasn’t yet!say that it printed OK – even if it hasn’t yet!

Installation TricksInstallation Tricks

• You can have as many versions of the You can have as many versions of the same printer as you want!same printer as you want!

• For example:For example: HP Deskjet 1220C 8x11HP Deskjet 1220C 8x11 HP Deskjet 1220C 11x17HP Deskjet 1220C 11x17 HP Deskjet 1220C PostscriptHP Deskjet 1220C Postscript HP Deskjet 1220C 8x11 PhotoHP Deskjet 1220C 8x11 Photo

Installation TricksInstallation Tricks

• Why bother having different versions of Why bother having different versions of the same printer?the same printer?

• Because it make take some trial and Because it make take some trial and error to get the settings just as you error to get the settings just as you want them. Remembering all the want them. Remembering all the settings can be difficult.settings can be difficult.

• So, keep the configurations separate.So, keep the configurations separate.

Problem SolvingProblem Solving

• Start with Help or the Troubleshooter!Start with Help or the Troubleshooter!

• Decide when to suspect the hardware Decide when to suspect the hardware (e.g. the cable or ink cartridges)(e.g. the cable or ink cartridges)

• Can you print a Test Page from Can you print a Test Page from Properties?Properties?

• Can you print from Notepad?Can you print from Notepad?

Advanced Problem Solving 1Advanced Problem Solving 1

• Start / Printers … select printerStart / Printers … select printer

• Double click on the printerDouble click on the printer

• Are there documents in the queue?Are there documents in the queue?

• Menu: “Printer” Menu: “Printer”

• Select: “Cancel all documents”Select: “Cancel all documents”

Advanced Problem Solving 2Advanced Problem Solving 2

• Start / Printers … select printerStart / Printers … select printer

• Right Click / Properties / Advanced TabRight Click / Properties / Advanced Tab

• Try “Print Directly to Printer”Try “Print Directly to Printer”

Advanced Problem Solving 3Advanced Problem Solving 3

• Use the web to research problemsUse the web to research problems

• Search with Google, search Microsoft Search with Google, search Microsoft knowledge base, etc.knowledge base, etc.

• Search pertinent news groups / usenetSearch pertinent news groups / usenet

Fred MarshallFred MarshallCoastal Computers & NetworksCoastal Computers & Networks

Ilwaco, WAIlwaco, WA(360) 642-2073(360) 642-2073