Set up your printer quickly and easily and then learn some helpful printing tips
Fortunately, the days of lengthy installations are long gone. The Windows XP Add Printer Wizard makes adding a local printer (one that's directly connected to your computer) or a network printer (one that's remotely connected to your network with an Ethernet connection) a breeze.
The first step to installing a printer requires going to the Start menu, selecting Control Panel, and then opening Printers and Faxes.
If you have a USB-connected printer, Windows XP will automatically install it. This is because the Add a Printer program automatically detects USB-connected printers.
Older printers and network printers have to be installed manually using the Add Printer Wizard.
If your printer was automatically installed, click here for printing tips.
How to install a local printer
Step 1: In the Printers and Faxes folder, click Add Printer. Make certain that your printer is connected to your computer and is turned on. Click Next to launch the Add Printer Wizard.
Step 2: Select Local printer.
Step 3: Select the manufacturer and model of your printer.
Step 4: Once you have located the printer you wish to install, click Next.
Step 5: If you have a disk with the software for the printer, put it into your CD-ROM drive and then click the Have Disk button. Select the drive that contains this disk and then click OK.
Step 6: Supply a name for the printer and determine whether you'd like this printer to serve as your default printer. It's always best to select the printer directly connected to your computer as your default printer.
Step 7: Indicate whether you'd like this printer to be shared. This function is especially useful if your home is networked and the printer will be shared with other users. If so, click Share Name and assign a name to the printer that will be easily recognized by family members.
Step 8: Click Yes to print a test page from your newly installed printer.
Step 9: Click Next to review the settings for your new printer before completing the installation process.
How to install a network printer
Installing a network printer that's down the hall from your main home computer is just as easy. When the Add Printer Wizard asks you to select a printer, simply click Connect to This Printer.
If you don't know the name of the network printer, you may select Browse for a Printer to search through a list of shared printers. Alternatively, if your network printer is on a network that uses an Internet address, click Connect to a Printer on the Internet and enter the address in the URL text box. The Add Printer Wizard can guide you through the installation process, but playing with preferences is up to you.
Learn some printing tips and tricks
Now that you're ready to print documents, here are some tricks to getting the most out of your printer.
Joli Ballew, author of a dozen or so books on technology, including Degunking Windows (Paraglyph Publishing, 2004), recommends that you alter the settings to print the last page first by checking the Collate box in the Print dialog box when printing a large job. By ensuring that documents are printed in sequential order, Ballew says you'll save yourself from having to "mess around for 15 minutes putting all your documents together."
Given the high cost of ink cartridges, Ballew also suggests using discretion when determining printer quality. While it's wise to take advantage of high-quality settings for color photos and Web pages, Ballew says the Plain Paper and Grayscale Printing (which may be called First Draft or something else, depending on the printer program) preferences are ideal for text documents and can reduce costs. "There's no reason to go overboard," she warns. "You don't need to print a document on highest quality—that's just going to waste a lot of ink."
Here are some other helpful printing tips from Ballew:
1. Use a digital imaging program's auto contrast, auto correct, and auto color features to enhance photo quality.
2. Never print photos at a resolution less than 200 dpi.
3. If you really want a high-quality print, use high-quality paper.
4. Never refill ink cartridges on your own. Only a manufacturer knows and produces what the printer needs for best results.
Article written by Cindy Waxer and adapted from an original piece from Microsoft Home Magazine.
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