Local Printer

• 1). Turn on your computer, if you have not already done so. Close any programs that open automatically. You do not want any additional applications running when you install the printer.
  
  
• 2). Connect the printer to your Vista computer using the cable supplied by the printer manufacturer. Most new printers use a USB cable that connects to a USB port in the computer. Older printers may use an LPT cable that connects to your computer's parallel port.
  
  
• 3). Turn on the printer. Windows Vista comes with many printer drivers pre-installed. If the drivers for your printer already exist on your computer, the drivers install automatically and then a message appears in the taskbar stating that the "Device is Connected and Ready to Use." If Vista does not recognize your printer and no message appears, then you must manually install the drivers.
  
  
• 4). Open Windows Control Panel by clicking the "Start" button and then clicking "Control Panel" from the listing on the right-hand side of the menu.
  
  
• 5). Click "Printer" from the list that appears directly underneath the "Hardware and Sound" icon, and then click "Add a Printer" from the top of the screen. Select "Add a Local Printer" from the dialog box that appears.
  
  
• 6). Select "Use an Existing Port" and the appropriate printer port, when prompted. You must select "LPT1: (Printer Port)" if using an LPT cable to connect your printer to your computer.
  
  
• 7). Browse to and select your printer from the list. Select your printer's manufacturer from the list that appears on the left side of the screen. Then select the correct model from the list that appears on the right. If your model of printer does not appear in the list, then you must help Vista locate the correct print drivers.
  
  
• 8). Insert the software installation CD that came with your printer into the CD-ROM drive of your computer. Then click the "Have Disk..." button. Vista searches the disc and locates the necessary drivers. If you no longer have the original software CD, or if the CD does not contain Vista-compatible drivers, click the "Windows Update" button on the bottom of the screen. Vista then searches the Internet for the appropriate drivers. Click "Next" once Vista locates the necessary drivers.
  
  
• 9). Name the printer, if desired. Then click to select or deselect the "Set As the Default Printer" checkbox. Click "Next" to install the printer. A message appears stating that you have successfully installed the printer. If you would like to test the printer, then click the "Print a Test Page" button. Click "Finish" to close the dialog box and return to the Windows Control Panel.
  
  

Network, Wireless and Bluetooth Printer

• 1). Turn on your computer if you have not already done so. Close any programs that open automatically. You do not want any additional applications running when you install the printer.
  
  
• 2). Turn on the printer and any other necessary networking hardware. For example, if your networked printer physically connects to a computer or server, then you also must turn on that hardware.
  
  
• 3). Open Windows Control Panel by clicking the "Start" button and then clicking "Control Panel" from the listing on the right-hand side of the menu.
  
  
• 4). Click "Printer" from the list that appears directly underneath the "Hardware and Sound" icon, and then click "Add a Printer" from the top of the screen. Select the "Add a Network, Wireless or Bluetooth Printer" option from the dialog box that appears.
  
  
• 5). Select the desired printer from the list of available printers and click "Next." If prompted, install the appropriate print drivers. Vista also may prompt you for an administrator's password, if you have one set up on your network. A message appears stating that you have successfully installed the printer. If you would like to test the printer, then click the "Print a Test Page" button. Click "Finish" to close the dialog box and return to the Windows Control Panel.