How to install local & network printers

During the last call I had with a friend I had to help him to install a printer. It’s never that I mind helping a friend but for the life of me I couldn’t understand how he didn’t know how to do this. Seeing that there might be some people still out there that don’t know how to do this I figured I would put up a quick “how to” to detail the steps you would need to take with a Windows PC.

1. Make sure that the printer is connected to the computer via a USB, parallel port, serial cable.
2. Be certain to plug the printer in and turn it on.
3. If Windows notices at this point that the printer is installed you can choose install device driver automatically.
4. When that doesn’t work get the model number and go to the manufacturer website.
   • Dell
   • HP
   • Lexmark
   • Brother
   • Canon
   • Samsung
   • Epson
   • XEROX
   • Kodak
   • Konica
   • Okidata
   • Ricoh
   • Panasonic
   • Sharp
5. Most sites will have a navigation pane at the top where you can do a simple search
6. When the results display you will look for the drivers for your operating system
   • Windows 98SE
   • Windows ME
   • Windows 2000
   • Windows XP Pro/Home
   • Windows XP x64 Pro
   • Windows Vista
   • Windows Vista x64
7. Choose a directory for your download, I personally use the desktop so I don’t have to seach
8. Once the download is complete go ahead and double click on the driver package
9. Just keep clicking next at this point taking note not to install spyware by accident
10. When prompted reboot computer (if at all).
11. Now you can go ahead and print up your test page.

Congratulations you have just installed a printer and it didn’t cost you anything at all!!!

Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back and go get a drink, you deserve it.

Next I will be showing you how to install a network printer

This small guide is primarily for a Windows 2000 & up computers, sorry I am no longer familiar with legacy operating systems.

1. First you will click on the start menu and open up Printers and Faxes
2. Once the windows is open right-click and navigate to add printe, click on it then click on next.
3. Choose the LOCAL PRINTER and unpick the “Automatically Detect and and Install My Plug and Play Printer” now you can click next.
4. Now choose the “Create New Port” and select from the drop down list choose “Standard TCP/IP Port” and proceed to click on next.
5. At this point you should be greeted with another window that says “Welcome to the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard”, go ahead and click next again.
6. Now you will enter the information for the printer, fill in it’s name property or IP address if assigned statically.
7. Now you will find the manufacturer and the model and select it from the menu. Once you click next you should be able to print a test page.

If your test page prints then you have completed all the steps needed to get a network printer to work. Congratulations to you.

Now go and get a drink, have a smoke and bask in the glory of network printing.

[ratings]