Transcript File Extensions

Printer Stuff
Fred Marshall
Coastal Computers & Networks
BBCC – May 11, 2004
Printers
• Installing printers
• Tricks
• Troubleshooting
• Getting status
• Canceling print jobs
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)
What’s a “driver”?
• A driver is a software interface that deals
with intimate hardware (i.e. printer)
details:
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Controls
Status read-back to the computer
• It’s usually unique to the printer
• It enables all your applications through
Windows
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
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
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.
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”!!!
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!
Installation Tricks
• You can have as many versions of the
same printer as you want!
• For example:
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HP
HP
HP
HP
Deskjet
Deskjet
Deskjet
Deskjet
1220C
1220C
1220C
1220C
8x11
11x17
Postscript
8x11 Photo
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.
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?
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”
Advanced Problem Solving 2
• Start / Printers … select printer
• Right Click / Properties / Advanced Tab
• Try “Print Directly to Printer”
Advanced Problem Solving 3
• Use the web to research problems
• Search with Google, search Microsoft
knowledge base, etc.
• Search pertinent news groups / usenet
Fred Marshall
Coastal Computers & Networks
Ilwaco, WA
(360) 642-2073