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Cannot install printer

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ivormills

Technical User
Sep 14, 2005
19
GB
I have just purchased a Samsung laser printer, but I cannot install the driver. Everytime I run the installation cd it comes up with the message 'printer not found', check connections. I have checked in device manager, the printer is shown but in yellow because it says the driver has not been installed. When I try to install it from there, have disc etc. it says it cannot find the driver software even when pointed to the cd location..........help!
 
Here's a few things to check...

1. What sort of connection between printer and computer? USB? LAN? Try changing the cable.

2. When you run the installation CD, does it get as far as installing the driver, and put an icon in the Printers and Faxes section in Control Panel? If it does, is the correct type of port being selected?

3. Can you check the port being used? If USB, do other devices all work corectly when plugged into this particular port?

4. Some firewall software might be blocking your installation/connection to the printer. Try temporarily disabling it.

5. If you only just bought this printer, make sure the CD is running an installation for XP, and not, say, Vista or W-7.

6. Try downloading the installation and driver files from the Samsung website, and see if that will work.

7. Does the printer have any self diagnostics on it that would at least prove its working internally?


ROGER - G0AOZ.
 
Thanks for your reply, answers:

1)Using USB printer cable, I have not got a spare to check at the moment, however the computer recognises the printer as new hardware and it appears in device manager, could it still be the cable?

2)The installation cd gets as far as 'install driver' then printer not found error message.

3)I have been using this USB port with no problems.

4)Not sure

5)CD is XP

6)Downloaded drivers from Samsung site, same problem.

7)Can't find any self diagnostics.
 
Ok.

1. In view of the fact that the printer gets recognised, it's probably unlikely to be the cable, but still worth a check if all else fails.

2. Will assume from your answer that the Printers and Faxes folder is indeed blank.

3. Despite this port working with other devices, I'll assume you've tried other ports, particularly one directly attached to the motherboard, rather than one on a flying lead to the front panel, etc.

4. Worth checking...

5. Ok.

6. Ok. So probably not a software/driver issue.

7. Any facility on this Samsung for scanning or photocoying from its front panel?

8. Whilst this is never guaranteed to give any sort of results, it might be worth trying. Look in XP's selection of Samsung printers and see if there might be one which is near enough to yours, and try installing it. Might be worth a shot...

9. Can you try installing this printer on another machine?


If you're still not getting anywhere, it's starting to look like this could be a faulty printer, unless you know for sure otherwise...


ROGER - G0AOZ.
 
Thanks Roger, I contacted Samsung support and they went through a few things with me. There conclusion is the machine must be faulty and they will contact me about a replacement.
 
That's good, looks like it will be a successful outcome...

ROGER - G0AOZ.
 
! think I didn't see mentioned was were you hooking up the printer before installing the cd? because this can cause issues on xp. Sometimes, you need to install the cd, let it install and when it is looking for the printer, plug the cable into the usb.
 
What other USB Devices are also connected to this machine? Are you running out of USB power in so far as you may be connecting too many USB stuff and more than the computer can power up?
 
Further to my last post, I tried what you suggested rclarke250, no joy. I consulted the manual again and found out how to print a self test page, worked perfectly! Can it still be a faulty machine, I am running out of ideas!
 
Further, Further to my last post, I have tried to install on a second machine as you suggested GOAOZ, it works perfectly! I am now completely out of ideas. It will not install on my other computer, same operating system. Ideas on how to sort this one out would be much appreciated.
 
Have you tried deleting than reinstalling the usb drivers for the machine that the printer won't work on?
 
Update: I have reinstalled the driver, this time with the printer unconnected (which the software allows you to do). The printer now appears in control panel/printers & faxes but in device manager is still yellow (error code 1 driver uninstalled). If I attempt to print, the printer is listed and all is well till I press print, then I get the error message 'the current printer port is not supported for the printer status'. As I said it installed on another machine fine, the only difference is that machine was on service pack 3, the machine I am trying to install on is service pack 2, could that make a difference? When I reboot the computer I get the New Hardware wizard each time.
 
Have you checked to make sure the spooler service is running on that machine? From a command prompt
Net stop spooler
and then
Net Start Spooler
Then try installing the drivers?
 
Yes I could make a difference as service packs contain fixes and additions. Unless you have a specific reason for running on SP2 I would upgrade to SP3 and check for additional updates as well.

sam
 
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