PRINTERS

Printer maintenance in Windows Me isn’t all that dissimilar from the other Windows 9x OSs. The Printer applet can be found in Start > Settings > Printer or My Computer > Control Panel > Printer, and it functions the same as in Windows 98. From here, you can choose to either rename or delete an existing Printer, or access the Add Printer Wizard. To change the name of an existing printer, simply right-click and choose the Rename option. When you select the Add Printer Wizard, you are prompted with two choices: add a Local printer or add a Network printer.

Adding a Local Printer

This option allows you to add a printer that is local (attached directly) to your computer. To add a local printer:

• Choose the Local printer option and click Next.

• You will be prompted to choose the manufacturer/model number for your printer. Choose from the manufacturer names on the left, followed by the model number on the right. The Have Disk box can be used if you have the printer software provided by the manufacturer. Click on the Have Disk option to be taken to a browser screen where you can select a device to scan for appropriate drivers, or you can use the Browse option to scan through your files (media) for the exact location of the driver file. (Remember syntax when typing in the location line instead of browsing.)

  Note

  You should always check to see that the drivers you are installing are the most up-to-date versions. Check with your printer manufacturer’s Web site for support information and updates to your software before installation.

• Click Next to continue.

• Choose your printer port on the next screen. Click Next to continue.

• Enter the name that you want Windows to refer to the selected printer as. Click Next to continue.

• Windows will now prompt you to print a test page. It is your option to print a test page or not, but it’s always good to know as soon as possible if you are having any difficulty installing a printer, so it is recommended that you do.

You will be returned to the Printers applet. You will notice that a printer icon with the name you assigned appears. You can now choose to rename this printer, add a new printer, or just close the Printer applet to continue.

Adding a Network Printer

Adding a network printer is as easy as adding a local printer:

• Choose the Network printer option and click Next.

• Enter the correct network path or click Browse if you are not sure of the correct path to the desired printer. There is an option on the lower portion of this screen that asks if you will be using any MS-DOS programs to print. Choose which option best suits your needs.

• Click Next to continue.

• Type the name you wish to associate with this printer, also choose if you wish this to be the default printer for this computer.

• Click Next to continue.

• You are now prompted to run a test page. Do so if you deem necessary.

Sharing a Printer

You can share a printer using the Home Networking Wizard, even if you’ve used it previously. You can also set this up manually by going to Start > Control Panel > Network.

• Choose File and Printer Sharing.

• Verify that the checkbox is filled in for Printer Sharing.

• Click OK (rebooting the machine may be necessary at this point).

• Go to Start > Settings > Printer, or My Computer > Control Panel > Printer.

• Right-click the desired printer’s icon, and choose Sharing.

• Choose the name you wish to be associated with the printer on the network (you can choose to enable a password for the printer by filling out a password in the appropriate field).

• Click OK.