Devices and Printers

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When I start Devices and Printers, the bar runs across the top , but no printers or devices are displayed.
Absent a fix, is the another way to set the default printer or set up a printer for sharing?

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The obvious thing,I have to start with.Make sure the printer is on.Any windows OS will install the drivers.Also make sure you have the correct connection to your tower,from the printer.I already know what your thinking.BUT,the obvious is always over looked.
For the printer sharing situation here’s a link to help out;How to Geek Once you get things going.

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The obvious thing,I have to start with.Make sure the printer is on.Any windows OS will install the drivers.Also make sure you have the correct connection to your tower,from the printer.I already know what your thinking.BUT,the obvious is always over looked.
For the printer sharing situation here’s a link to help out;How to Geek Once you get things going.

The proper method to install the printer should be listed in the printer documentation. Generally the printer has to be connected correctly and turned on when you boot Windows the first time so that Windows can discover the printer. Once Windows go through the found new harware stuff it should try to load an appropriate driver automatically. Is the printer listed as compatible with your version of Windows (Win 7 and the bitness, 32 Bit or 64 Bit)? You must have the same bitness for all hardware as the bitness of the OS. I would also go to the printer manufacturer’s web site and grab the latest printer drivers for your printer. Win 7 does not always have the latest drivers for hardware. Make sure you download and install printer drivers that have the same bitness as you OS as these drivers usually come in 2 varieties, 32 Bit or 64 Bit.

You can’t set the default printer or set the printer up for sharing until Windows sees the printer and loads it’s drivers. Once the printer is set up, Ron’s advice to check How To Geek is right on. Once the printer is set, even when turned off Windows will show the printer in the Devices and Printers as default until you change it.

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The proper method to install the printer should be listed in the printer documentation. Generally the printer has to be connected correctly and turned on when you boot Windows the first time so that Windows can discover the printer. Once Windows go through the found new harware stuff it should try to load an appropriate driver automatically.

These days, most consumer printers are USB. With a USB device that requires a driver the correct method is almost always to install the software first. Most of the time during the software installation process there will be a dialog that instructs you to plug in or turn on the device. With USB printers, I’ve seen many screwed up installations by having them connected and turned on before the software is installed.

Joe

--Joe

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Probably not relevant in this case, but I had an interesting issue a few days back. I replaced an old HP inkjet printer with a new Canon laser printer. During installation of the new hardware (plug and play), windows “failed to detect USB device” and would not let me continue with installation of the new printer drivers. Eventually, having contacted the Canon help desk (fantastic friendly assistance offered) I was advised to try a different USB cable. Lo’ and behold, installation then proceeded normally.

It turned out that the long USB cable that had worked fine with the HP printwer, was too long for the Canon one. The shorter cable was what was required. The Long one was 3m, (about 10ft); and the short one is 1.5m, (about 4ft).

One lives and learns!

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Devices and Printers worked in the past.
All the printers are attached and usable through Word etc.; they just don’t show in Devices and Printers.
None of the suggestions I’ve seen work (including the “Bluetooth solution”.
I’m, perhaps, looking for a registry hack.

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Devices and Printers worked in the past.
All the printers are attached and usable through Word etc.; they just don’t show in Devices and Printers.

It seems as though the drivers may have been corrupted or uninstalled? Have you tried re-installing the drivers?

Joe

--Joe

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