Where Can I find the Drivers?

A PRINTER USER ASKED:

I just bought a new computer. I have the disks for my printer, but there is no option for Windows XP. Where can I find the drivers for my printer?

OUR PRINTER EXPERTS ANSWER:

Here's the direction for HP Deskjet printers, but the same idea applies to most printers.

Unless you have a brand new printer that comes with a setup disk, there is no need to download a printer driver from the Web. The drivers for HP Deskjet printers are included in Windows XP.

The following instructions from HP are for installing the basic driver that is preloaded on Windows XP. This document describes how to load the appropriate printer driver that is pre-installed in your Windows XP operating system. The preinstalled Windows XP driver supports basic printing features.

Step one: Check to see if the printer driver is already installed To find out if printer is already installed, do the following:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers andFaxes.
3. Check to see if the name of your printer shows next to a printer icon.
4. If the printer is there, you are done. The best printer driver is already installed. Proceed to Step four: Set the HP Deskjet driver as the default driver.

If the printer is not there, proceed to Step two: Connect the cables.

Step two: Connect the cables With the computer and printer on, connect the USB or parallel cable to the printer and the computer. One of two things could happen:

The driver automatically installs when the printer is connected to the computer. Several small dialogue boxes will appear showing the progress of the driver installation. When the installation is finished, a message displays stating that the printer is installed and ready to use. You are done. The best printer driver available for your printer is installed. Proceed to Step four: Set the HP Deskjet driver as the default driver.

If the Found New Hardware Wizard displays, click Cancel and proceed to Step three.

Step three: Manually install the printer driver

1. Click Start, then Control Panel.
2. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers and Faxes.
3. In Printer Tasks, click Add a printer.
4. Click Next.
5. Select Local, then remove the check mark from Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer.
6. Click Next.
7. Select Port
8. Parallel connection is usually LPT1
9. USB connection is usually USB001
10. Click Next.
11. Select HP from the Manufacturer list.
12. Select the printer model from the printer list, and then click Next.
13. Select Yes if this printer is the default printer, or select No if it is not.
14. Click Next to continue.
15. Select No to skip the test page, and then click Next.
16. Click Finish to complete the installation.

NOTE: If prompted for a Windows disk in Step 12, do not use the disk that came with the printer, use the Windows XP disk or the recovery disk that came with the computer.

If prompted for a Windows disk, insert the appropriate Windows or PC Recovery disk (not the disk that came with the printer) and follow the instructions on the screen. Once the driver has been installed, it will be listed in the Printers window (Start, then Printers and Faxes).

Step four: Set the HP Deskjet driver as the default driver Once you’ve installed the new HP driver, set it as the default printer.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers and Faxes.
3. Right-click the HP Deskjet driver then select Set as Default Printer.

You can find additional help at the printer manufacturer's web site.