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The travails of installing a different printer.



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 18th 16, 09:19 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

This story ends much better than the travail of the first printer did
(which hasn't ended yet).

This is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".

It's a small Samsung b&w laser printer only, MP-4500, with only a
parallel port for connecting. Made in 2001, so just a little younger
than Bill's. When a friend first gave it to me around 8 years ago,
he didn't give me the CD, and I had a lot of trouble finding any
driver for it, and the only driver for XP I could find was in German!
That was a real problem because I couldn't remember what 2 or 3 of the
settings mean, one that I needed to change. Somehow I found an
English driver less than a year ago, for XP.

Now, in my files I see I had already dl'd a zip file named after XP
and Vista, more evidence that sometimes the same drivers work between
the two. Unfortunately it also has 64 in the name, and it didnt' seem
to work either.

On the Samsung page, samsung.com, if you follow Owners and Support /
Manuals and Downloads / Office / Printers.... it gives a list of 90+
printers but not this one. There's no way to type in a model number.
If you google MP-4500 drivers it actually gives a Samsung page
with MP-4500 at the top:
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/ML-4500/

Maybe this page didn't show up because I once told it, silly me, that
I was in the USA. I guarantee that the printer was not bought in the
UK, but if you enter: http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/ there is a
blank for model number and ML-4500 gives 3 results for printer and one
for a toner cartridge. All 4 pages are about the same. The almost
full contents are at the bottom, but it included a "Universal Print
Driver Win 2000/XP/2003/2008/Vista/Win 7/Win 8(32/64bit)" It didn't
work and none of the other files did either.

Sol I'll look online. Ha! I found one that says it's for Vista, no
less,, for Samsung MP-4500 at www.SiliconGuide.com . I check reviews
of the site and it's okay. It also lists a driver for v7!!! I dl'd
it.

The Vista driver wouldn't install until I connected the printer!!! But
it's clearly written by Samsung, the logo is used in a couple places,
and there's a drawing to go with the statement that I have to connect
the printer.

So I got it from the basement. I'd forgotten how light it is. 17 lbs.
I connected it to USB with the USB to parallel port adapter, and that
was enough for the software to install, but it wouldnt' print.

I took a nap, and when I woke up, I saw the little CD that came with
the parallel to USB adapter. (apparently there's a chip in the
adapter) I'd forgotten there was one.

Started to install that until I noticed it said "USB to serial", not
parallel. It said it in the software, the manual, the url name, the
webpage text, everywhere, many many times (20 or 30 times total), but
nowhere did it say "parallel". Finding their webpage, Prolific.com ,
I learned that there is a newer model of the adapter that will work
with Windows 8 but the one I have won't. (but I only paid $6 for it)
I dl the driver that works with win98 to win8. (It has one small
improvement for Vista, so I figure I'd better use it.) I finally
find the word "parallel" in the headline only: "Driver for
serial/parallel to USB adapter." Never noticed it before.

(BTW, I can only find the software webpage because of the CD.
Monoprice has rebranded the adapter itself with the Monoprice brand.
No use of Prolific or any of their model numbers.)

Install the adapter driver. Still doesn't work.

Instructions say to find adapter in Device Manager, but it's not
there.

Install the adapter driver again. This time it says to restart
Windows. It didnt' say that the first time.

Restart windows. It still doesn't work.

Turn the printer on before restarting windows again. This time it
works!!! Well.

Adapter still not listed in Device Manager.

Later I was able to turn the printer off while Windows is running, and
then turn the printer back on again and it still works. (Maybe I can
leave it off when starting windows after all. Not sure.)

Driver came with a program to check which chip is in the adapter, the
first one that won't work with win8 or the second one. I try it for
Com3 and Com2, it says "open com port failed", even after the printer
has printed. Only for com1 does it say "no pl2303 chip", but I
already knew that because com1 is not this usb port.

But the printer still works. Yay!!!

The print is light, exactly the same density all over, as if "Toner
Save" were on, but it's off and I've turned it on and then off again.
I am printing crossword puzzles, and it's plainly lighter both than
the puzzle on the screen and the one printed out by the inkjet
printer. (Actually, the little numbers in the boxes are easier to
read with less ink, but it won't look good for a serious business
letter. Fortunately I have no serious business. Until I fix this,
I'm glad I have the inkjet, which looks perfect.)


*** ----------------
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/ML-4500/
Downloads, Driver
Universal Print Driver
Win 2000/XP/2003/2008/Vista/Win 7/Win 8(32/64bit), 21.34 MB,
exe, MULTI LANGUAGE Version : V2.50.06.00:034 Feb, 2015
Print Driver,PCL5 (Add Printer)

Win 2000/XP/2003/ Vista/2008/Win 7(32,64bit), 0.01MB, zip,
MULTI LANGUAGE Version : V1.0025 Jun, 2010

Useful Software
Samsung Printer Software Installer

Download and install the printer software for your device.
- Simple installation
- Various OS support and automatic installation
Monitor the printer status and troubleshoot.
- Troubleshooting guide
- Software update
- Wireless printing setup -- Well this won't work for mine.
Samsung Printer Diagnostics

Easy Printer Manager -- This did install and run but I don't know
what it does yet.


My friend used to give me hardware but never the CD that came with it.
I had a lot of trouble even finding the XP driver for it, and the one
I found was only in German! And this was a problem because I couldn't
remember the meaning of some of the settings including iirc one that
dealt with the darkness of the print (Set on the machine, set here,
were the two choides iirc.)

The owner's manual I did find in English. And later I found the
repair manual. But now neither seem to have the symtom, Prints too
Light. I know I found it for this model less than a year ago.


Just a couple months before the XP box failed I managed to install it
in English, but I can't remember where I got the file. Maybe I
pretended I lived in Asia and got one for India or Hong Kong. I can't
remember.
  #2  
Old January 18th 16, 10:29 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
knuttle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

On 1/18/2016 3:19 PM, Micky wrote:
his is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".

While I don't have that printer I could not complete the install, I did
an aborted install on LPT1 for the Samsung.

I have Windows 8.1 so it probably will work on Windows 10.

I went to the Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Devices and Printers.

I then used the Add Printer option at the top of the page.

I stopped the search and checked "Add a local printer or network printer
with manual settings" (If you have the printer attached the search may
find it.)

After checking the above and clicking Next it brings you to a printer
list. There is a Samsung MP-4550 listed which if it is like other
manufacturers is just a bells and whistles version of the basic MP-4500
model.

Please note if you have never installed a printer you will have to
download the print drivers from MS. It is done by from the install
printer page, and will not immediately start.

I have an HP-932 printer that I bought in 2000. Using this technique I
was able to get a driver and currently using the printer under Windows 8.1


  #3  
Old January 18th 16, 10:50 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:29:01 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general knuttle
wrote:

On 1/18/2016 3:19 PM, Micky wrote:
his is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".

While I don't have that printer I could not complete the install, I did
an aborted install on LPT1 for the Samsung.

I have Windows 8.1 so it probably will work on Windows 10.

I went to the Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Devices and Printers.

I then used the Add Printer option at the top of the page.

I stopped the search and checked "Add a local printer or network printer
with manual settings" (If you have the printer attached the search may
find it.)

After checking the above and clicking Next it brings you to a printer
list.


I did look at that list. I"m 90% sure neither 4500 or 4550 were
there. Then I clicked Windows Update, and I looked again. I'm still
90% sure neither was there. Unless I lost track of numeric order.

There is a Samsung MP-4550 listed which if it is like other


But now, this one is NOT there, but "Samsung MP-4500 Series" is
listed. Any chance that happened because I ran that .exe file that
installed drivers?

manufacturers is just a bells and whistles version of the basic MP-4500
model.

Please note if you have never installed a printer you will have to
download the print drivers from MS. It is done by from the install
printer page, and will not immediately start.

I have an HP-932 printer that I bought in 2000. Using this technique I
was able to get a driver and currently using the printer under Windows 8.1


Good to know. 8.1 is better yet. I like this printer. It's small,
and most of all, I don't have to *decide* what to buy instead.

Thanks a lot.
  #4  
Old January 19th 16, 02:51 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
knuttle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

On 1/18/2016 4:50 PM, Micky wrote:
[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:29:01 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general knuttle
wrote:

On 1/18/2016 3:19 PM, Micky wrote:
his is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".

While I don't have that printer I could not complete the install, I did
an aborted install on LPT1 for the Samsung.

I have Windows 8.1 so it probably will work on Windows 10.

I went to the Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Devices and Printers.

I then used the Add Printer option at the top of the page.

I stopped the search and checked "Add a local printer or network printer
with manual settings" (If you have the printer attached the search may
find it.)

After checking the above and clicking Next it brings you to a printer
list.


I did look at that list. I"m 90% sure neither 4500 or 4550 were
there. Then I clicked Windows Update, and I looked again. I'm still
90% sure neither was there. Unless I lost track of numeric order.

There is a Samsung MP-4550 listed which if it is like other


But now, this one is NOT there, but "Samsung MP-4500 Series" is
listed. Any chance that happened because I ran that .exe file that
installed drivers?

manufacturers is just a bells and whistles version of the basic MP-4500
model.

Please note if you have never installed a printer you will have to
download the print drivers from MS. It is done by from the install
printer page, and will not immediately start.

I have an HP-932 printer that I bought in 2000. Using this technique I
was able to get a driver and currently using the printer under Windows 8.1


Good to know. 8.1 is better yet. I like this printer. It's small,
and most of all, I don't have to *decide* what to buy instead.

Thanks a lot.

I don't know exactly what I did to get the printer list to download. It
was not part of a a Windows Upgrade. I believe I tried one of the
listed printers or had it search online for the printer.

Once the download started from the install wizard it took several
minutes to complete the download.
  #5  
Old January 19th 16, 04:42 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:51:26 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general knuttle
wrote:

On 1/18/2016 4:50 PM, Micky wrote:
[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:29:01 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general knuttle
wrote:

On 1/18/2016 3:19 PM, Micky wrote:
his is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".
While I don't have that printer I could not complete the install, I did
an aborted install on LPT1 for the Samsung.

I have Windows 8.1 so it probably will work on Windows 10.

I went to the Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Devices and Printers.

I then used the Add Printer option at the top of the page.

I stopped the search and checked "Add a local printer or network printer
with manual settings" (If you have the printer attached the search may
find it.)

After checking the above and clicking Next it brings you to a printer
list.


I did look at that list. I"m 90% sure neither 4500 or 4550 were
there. Then I clicked Windows Update, and I looked again. I'm still
90% sure neither was there. Unless I lost track of numeric order.

There is a Samsung MP-4550 listed which if it is like other


But now, this one is NOT there, but "Samsung MP-4500 Series" is
listed. Any chance that happened because I ran that .exe file that
installed drivers?

manufacturers is just a bells and whistles version of the basic MP-4500
model.

Please note if you have never installed a printer you will have to
download the print drivers from MS. It is done by from the install
printer page, and will not immediately start.

I have an HP-932 printer that I bought in 2000. Using this technique I
was able to get a driver and currently using the printer under Windows 8.1


Good to know. 8.1 is better yet. I like this printer. It's small,
and most of all, I don't have to *decide* what to buy instead.

Thanks a lot.

I don't know exactly what I did to get the printer list to download. It
was not part of a a Windows Upgrade. I believe I tried one of the
listed printers or had it search online for the printer.

Once the download started from the install wizard it took several
minutes to complete the download.


Well, in OSes newer than XP, there's a button on the page with the
list of printers for Update (or some such word), meaning only printer
drivers (and if you're installing another piece of hardware, it would
do only drivers like that, I presume). Maybe that was it.

BTW, the Printer Preferences I got for Vista has more options than the
one I have for XP, maybe just because it was written later, 2007.

Only things the printer always had the ability to do, but the software
is better. For example it now has Fit to Page, and Reduce or Enlarge,
25 to 400%, Print all text to dark, Print all text to black,
Watermark, Overlay, Print Order (reverse, odd, even), Poster Printing,
and maybe new, Multiple pages per page. I think all those are new.
And in 3 cases, the little graphic changes when the setting is
changed.
  #6  
Old January 19th 16, 08:35 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 115
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

In message , Micky
writes:
[]
BTW, the Printer Preferences I got for Vista has more options than the
one I have for XP, maybe just because it was written later, 2007.

Only things the printer always had the ability to do, but the software
is better. For example it now has Fit to Page, and Reduce or Enlarge,
25 to 400%, Print all text to dark, Print all text to black,
Watermark, Overlay, Print Order (reverse, odd, even), Poster Printing,
and maybe new, Multiple pages per page. I think all those are new.
And in 3 cases, the little graphic changes when the setting is
changed.


Not sure about "things the printer always had the ability to do": all of
those sound like things any printer _could_ do, since they could/can be
done by the PC, not the printer.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"I have a perfect cure for a sore throat. Cut it." - Alfred Hitchcock
  #7  
Old January 19th 16, 02:49 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

On Tue, 19 Jan 2016 07:35:24 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

In message , Micky
writes:
[]
BTW, the Printer Preferences I got for Vista has more options than the
one I have for XP, maybe just because it was written later, 2007.

Only things the printer always had the ability to do, but the software
is better. For example it now has Fit to Page, and Reduce or Enlarge,
25 to 400%, Print all text to dark, Print all text to black,
Watermark, Overlay, Print Order (reverse, odd, even), Poster Printing,
and maybe new, Multiple pages per page. I think all those are new.
And in 3 cases, the little graphic changes when the setting is
changed.


Not sure about "things the printer always had the ability to do": all of
those sound like things any printer _could_ do, since they could/can be
done by the PC, not the printer.


You're right. Let me change it to, things the printer could do if
the PC did them for it. How about that for saving face.


I found a web page discussing drums that said what others here said,
when the drum is getting old the text will be light, so I bought from
ebay a new drum last night. $29 New old stock, from Samsung. It
probably has toner too even though it says nothing about that on the
box (except "Save up to 30% on toner") and if not, I'll worry about
that when I run out of toner.


I was hoping "Print all text to darken" would help my light, printout,
but it only refers to text, and help says "When the Print All Text To
Darken is checked, double byte characters in your document print
darker than normal. " I don't know if I have double-byte characters.
And even the built-in test sheet prints light so software might
compensate but it's a problem IN the printer.
  #8  
Old January 21st 16, 05:59 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:19:13 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general Micky
wrote:


This story ends much better than the travail of the first printer did
(which hasn't ended yet).

This is NOT the Brother All-in-One b&w laser printer with document
feeder, described in the thread, "The travails of installing a
printer".


I should add that this printer, the Samsung ML-4500, is just a printer
and also it makes no effort to send data back to the PC, so although
the test with a different model scanner convinced me that active
(amplifed) USB cables are bidirectional**, nothing about using this
printer with one indicates that.

**Even thought the vendor is not smart enough to say it.
  #9  
Old January 23rd 16, 12:17 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,comp.periphs.printers,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.hardware
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 439
Default The travails of installing a different printer.

[Default] On Mon, 18 Jan 2016 22:42:19 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general Micky
wrote:



BTW, the Printer Preferences I got for Vista has more options than the
one I have for XP, maybe just because it was written later, 2007.


Not only that, the new driver, that I got from a 3rd party site, not
Samsuing, came with Easy Capture Manager, a simple frree program that
helps format print output when one presses PrintScreen.

I didn't know this until I accidentally pressed that key! There are
better such programs of course, but it's free, and usually when I have
hardware but not the original CD, I can't get the software that came
on the CD.

This was a welcome change.


Only things the printer always had the ability to do, but the software
is better. For example it now has Fit to Page, and Reduce or Enlarge,
25 to 400%, Print all text to dark, Print all text to black,
Watermark, Overlay, Print Order (reverse, odd, even), Poster Printing,
and maybe new, Multiple pages per page. I think all those are new.
And in 3 cases, the little graphic changes when the setting is
changed.

 




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