| If you have recently bought yourself a new | | | | |
| printer, follow the directions in the manual | | | | Canon - |
| for setting up cables. Put the installation | | | | |
| CD into the CD drive and follow the set up | | | | Epson - |
| instructions. | | | | |
| | | | Lexmark - |
| If you are using Windows 95/98, select Start | | | | |
| Menu, then select Printers. Now select Add | | | | Xerox - |
| Printer, select Local Printer. Choose your | | | | |
| printer (If your printer is not listed, | | | | Brother - |
| choose the one closest to yours and select | | | | |
| OK). | | | | Troubleshooting Printer Problems |
| | | | |
| For the Mac, select go to server, (or | | | | In this section, you'll find some of the more |
| chooser) and then select printer. Then choose | | | | common problems that cause 45 percent of the |
| your printer. (If your printer is not listed, | | | | help centre phone calls. |
| then select the closest one.) Then select | | | | |
| install. | | | | If nothing has occurred since the last time |
| | | | you used your printer, chances are the |
| If you are using Windows XP, then the PC will | | | | problem is quite straightforward. As obvious |
| prompt you for the drivers and install the | | | | as it sounds, check to ensure that the |
| relevant one from the CD itself (if the | | | | printer is turned on. It is quite possible |
| appropriate driver is not in the database | | | | that somebody might have turned it off while |
| already). | | | | you were away from your desk or computer. |
| | | | Make sure the printed is connected properly |
| If you have any problems printing, first | | | | and there is power to the printer. All |
| check your cable connections. If you get | | | | printers have some kind of LED that lets you |
| repeated error messages, then reboot your | | | | know if it is powered up. |
| computer and redo the steps above. | | | | |
| | | | If the printer is turned on but has some |
| If you would like to upgrade the driver of | | | | flashing lights, then check with your owner's |
| your currently installed printed, then follow | | | | manual to see what the lights mean. Most of |
| the steps given in the next sub-topic. | | | | these indicators will be related either to |
| | | | paper, ink, or toner. |
| Installing Printer Drivers | | | | |
| | | | Make sure there is enough paper in the |
| A printer driver is a piece of software that | | | | printer. Refill the paper tray if it's empty. |
| allows the computer to communicate with the | | | | Make sure you 'fan' the paper stack before |
| printer. Without this software, the printer | | | | putting it in the printer. When the paper |
| would be hopelessly lost since it does not | | | | stack is cut and packed at the factory, it |
| speak the same language! Printer | | | | sometimes causes the pages to stick together. |
| manufacturers often update the drivers and | | | | Fanning the paper simply involves flipping |
| these they can be easily downloaded form the | | | | through the paper stack with your thumb. This |
| company's website for free. It is a good idea | | | | ruffling separates the paper, thereby |
| to keep a check on your printer driver | | | | reducing paper jams. |
| version and upgrade if it is too far out of | | | | |
| date. | | | | If the paper is stacked well, then check for |
| | | | a mis-feed or paper jam. Remove the paper |
| Here is how you can check your print driver | | | | stack and check the feed area for jammed |
| version number: | | | | paper. You may have to open several panels to |
| | | | make a thorough examination. Even a small |
| Windows XP | | | | piece of paper stuck inside the printer can |
| | | | cause problems. You might have to use |
| 1. Click the Windows Start button, choose | | | | tweezers to remove small pieces. Be careful |
| Control Panel, and then choose 'Printers and | | | | of any contact of the tweezers with printer |
| Faxes.' | | | | parts to avoid any damage. |
| | | | |
| 2. Right-click your default printer and | | | | If everything listed above is in place, then |
| choose Properties. (Your default printer will | | | | check the wire that connects the printer to |
| have a checkmark within a black circle above | | | | the computer. You may be using a parallel or |
| the printer icon.) | | | | a USB connection. Make sure the cable is |
| | | | connected properly. Turn the equipment off |
| 3. Click the General tab, click the 'Print | | | | and remove and re-insert the connection on |
| Test Page' button, and then click OK to print | | | | both the printer and the computer to ensure a |
| the test page. | | | | solid connection. If you are at work and your |
| | | | printer is connected to what appears to be a |
| Windows 95/98 | | | | telephone wire, then you should call your |
| | | | resident network expert. |
| 1. Click the Windows Start button, choose | | | | |
| Settings, and then Printers. | | | | If the printer is functioning but only seems |
| | | | to print illegible garbage, then that is a |
| 2. Right-click your default printer and | | | | good indication of a printer driver problem. |
| choose Properties. (Your default printer will | | | | Try re-booting the computer and turning the |
| have a checkmark within a black circle above | | | | printer off and on before making any changes |
| the printer icon.) | | | | to the driver. If after re-booting you still |
| | | | have the problem, it's probably time to |
| 3. Click the General tab, click the 'Print | | | | replace the printer driver. You can download |
| Test Page' button, and then click OK to print | | | | the driver from the website URLs listed |
| the test page. | | | | earlier in this articles. Follow the |
| | | | instructions given by the manufacturer to |
| Look on the test page for Driver Version. | | | | install your driver. |
| | | | |
| All major printer manufactures have web sites | | | | Scanner can also sometimes interfere with |
| that allow you to freely download their | | | | printers. Try re-installing the software for |
| printer drivers. To do so, you will need your | | | | both but install the printer driver first, |
| printer's manufacturer and model number. When | | | | and the scanner driver afterwards. |
| you go to the web site, look for words such | | | | |
| as 'Downloads', 'Drivers', 'Software', or | | | | If nothing listed above results in a |
| 'Support' and shortlist your model. | | | | solution, then perhaps it might be time to |
| | | | call the printer manufacturer. Make sure that |
| Given below are the website URLs for the | | | | you are near the printer when you call and |
| popular brands: | | | | have all your warranty information available |
| | | | at hand. |
| Hewlett Packard - | | | | |