How do I install my USB or parallel port printer on Windows XP?
06/08/2003
When using Windows XP to install one of the listed printers using the software included on the installation CD, it may be found that it is not possible to install the printer when it is connected to a local port, e.g. parallel or USB, as the "Local printer" option is disabled. This functionality is intentional and was introduced due to problems encountered in installing unsigned drivers on Windows XP. If an unsigned driver is installed before the printer is connected, Windows XP searches for other potential drivers, some of which may be unsuitable. Rather than risk potential problems caused by installing the wrong driver, this functionality has been disabled and it is instead recommended that users install a locally connected printer by using the "Plug and Play" functionality of Windows XP. This article describes the recommended alternative method of installation for printers connected by USB or a parallel port.
USB installation
1. Connect the printer to a USB port and switch it on. After a few seconds, the "Found new hardware" wizard will appear.
2. Select the option "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)". Click Next.
3. Select "Search for the best driver in these locations." Ensure the check box "Search removable media (floppy, CD-ROM...)" is selected. Ensure the OKI installation CD is in the drive. Click Next.
4. Select one of the drivers found. Normally this will be the top file in the list, called _english.inf, which is located on the root directory of the CD. However, if this driver is not at the top of the list, then scroll through the list until you find a suitable driver for your Operating System and Language. OKI CDs are organised into a hierarchical directory structure which makes it clear which type of driver is in a particular directory.
Note:
- Ignore any messages saying that "This driver is not digitally signed!".
- Windows XP may find drivers which are designed for Windows 95/98/ME - do not select one of these drivers.
Click Next.
5. If a message is received saying that the driver "has not passed Windows Logo testing", you must click the "Continue Anyway" button to continue installation.
6. The installation will start to copy files and install the printer. Finally, Click Finish to complete.
Parallel port installation
1. With the printer switched off, or disconnected from the PC, select the Printers and Faxes option from the Start menu.
2. Click "Add a printer" then, on the resulting "Add Printer Wizard" dialog, click Next.
3. Ensure the option "Local printer attached to this computer" is selected. Untick the checkbox "Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer". Click Next.
4. Ensure that the option "Use the following port:" is selected then select the appropriate port from the drop-down choice box. Normally, this will be LPT1. Click Next.
5. Click the "Have Disk..." button. On the "Install From Disk" dialog, click Browse... then navigate to the appropriate directory of the OKI Installation CD. Normally, drivers are located in the "drivers" subdirectory of the CD and are then split up into a hierarchical structure depending upon the Operating System, Language and possibly emulation.
For example, if the printer is a B4200, then a suitable driver directory could be:
x:\drivers\win2k_xp\english
(where x is the appropriate CD-ROM drive letter).
After navigating to a suitable directory, select an inf file then click the "Open" button. Click OK on the "Install From Disk" dialog. A number of printer drivers that are suitable for the printer are displayed. Select an appropriate one then click Next. Be careful not to choose a driver for an emulation which is not supported by the printer, e.g. PS on a B4200. Ignore any warnings saying that "This driver is not digitally signed!". Click Next.
6. Alter the printer name if necessary then click Next. Choose whether or not to print a test page then click Next. Click Finish to start installation. The Add Printer Wizard will start to copy driver files to the PC.
If a message is received saying that the driver "has not passed Windows Logo testing", click "Continue Anyway" otherwise the installation will fail.
