| A printer driver is a piece of software that allows the | | | | Windows XP |
| computer to talk to the printer. Without it the printer | | | | 1. Click the Windows Start button, choose Control |
| would be hopelessly lost since they do not speak the | | | | Panel, and then choose Printers and Faxes. |
| same language. Many times the printer manufacturer | | | | 2. Right-click your default printer and choose |
| will find new and better ways to communicate with the | | | | Properties. (Your default printer will have a checkmark |
| printer and offer improved printer drivers for their | | | | within a black circle above the printer icon.) |
| customers to install. This could be because they might | | | | 3. Click the General tab, click the "Print Test Page" |
| have a fault in the old driver or they added | | | | button, and then click OK to print the test page. |
| improvements to take advantage of enhanced | | | | Look on the test page for Driver Version. |
| technology emerging with newer computer systems. | | | | All of the major printer manufactures have web sites |
| It's a good idea to keep a check on your printer driver | | | | and they allow you to freely download their printer |
| version and upgrade if it is too far out of date. | | | | drivers. All you need to know is your printers |
| Here is how to check your print driver version number. | | | | manufacturer and model number. When you go to |
| Windows 95/98 | | | | their web site look for words like "Downloads", |
| 1. Click the Windows Start button, choose Settings, and | | | | "Drivers", "Software" or "Support" and drill down to |
| then choose Printers. | | | | your model. |
| 2. Right-click your default printer and choose | | | | Here is the web site URL's for the more popular |
| Properties. (Your default printer will have a checkmark | | | | brands. (I've done most of the drilling for you to the |
| within a black circle above the printer icon.) | | | | drivers). Some of these links are rather long so be |
| 3. Click the General tab, click the "Print Test Page" | | | | sure to get the entire URL in your browser. |
| button, and then click OK to print the test page. | | | | |