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