How to Connect a Printer to a Computer

By eHow Computers Editor

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These instructions apply to connecting parallel port printers to PCs. The process for Macintosh serial printers and Mac and PC universal serial bus (USB) printers is very similar.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Position your printer. If you have a laser printer, allow a few inches of space on all sides for ventilation. Ink-jet printers don't require ventilation.
Step2
Buy a bidirectional, IEEE 1284-compliant parallel printer cable. (Printers rarely come with cables. See "How to Buy a Printer Cable," under Related eHows, for more information.)
Step3
Shut down the computer, but leave it plugged into the surge suppressor.
Step4
Compare the connectors at the opposite ends of the cable.
Step5
Attach the 25-pin end of the cable to the parallel, or printer, port on the computer. (The plug will go in only one way.)
Step6
Tighten the hand screws securely.
Step7
Connect the other end of the cable into the printer's socket.
Step8
Latch the retaining clips (on most printer ports).
Step9
Plug the power cord into the printer and into the surge suppressor.
Step10
Turn on the printer.
Step11
Install cartridges according to the printer manufacturer's instructions.
Step12
Turn on the computer.
Step13
Install printer driver software according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step14
Add the printer to the list of printers your computer recognizes (see "How to Add a Printer," under Related eHows). On a Macintosh, just select the new printer in the Chooser.

Tips & Warnings

  • Buy a 6-foot cable unless you need a longer one.
  • If you have a consumer-model computer, ports are usually color-coded and labeled. Look for a printer icon next to your computer's parallel port.
  • If you have a multifunction printer/fax/copier/scanner machine, it may not use a parallel cable or connect to a parallel port.

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eHow Article:  How to Connect a Printer to a Computer

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

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