Summary

Chapter 7: Fundamental Printers and Scanners 17manufacturer, use this driver. The driver that is included with the printer is usually morecurrent than the drivers used by the operating system. Figure 7-11 shows the Add Printerwizard, which can also be used to install the new printer.Figure 7-11Printer Wizard ScreenPrinter DriversPrinter drivers are software programs that enable the computer and the printer to communicatewith each other. Drivers also provide an interface for the user to configure printeroptions. Every printer model has a unique driver. Printer manufacturers frequently updatedrivers to increase the printer’s performance, to add options, or to fix problems. You candownload new printer drivers from the manufacturer’s website. To update and test a printerdriver, follow these steps:How ToStep 1.Step 2.Step 3.Step 4.Find out if a newer driver is available. Go to the printer manufacturer’s website.Most manufacturer websites have a link from the main page to a page thatoffers drivers and support. Make sure that the driver is compatible with the computerthat you are updating.Download the driver. Download the printer driver files to your computer. Mostdriver files come in a compressed or “zipped” format. Download the file to afolder, and uncompress or “unzip” the contents. Save instructions or documentationto a separate folder on your computer.Install the downloaded driver. Install the downloaded driver automatically ormanually. Most printer drivers have a setup file that automatically searches thesystem for older drivers and replaces them with the new one. If no setup file isavailable, follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer.Test the new printer driver. Run multiple tests to make sure that the printerworks properly. Use a variety of applications to print different types of documents.Change and test each printer option.