The definition of the port to which the printer is connected can be performed by the user of a computer running Windows OS using standard tools of the system itself and does not imply the use of additional software.
Instructions
Step 1
The vast majority of the latest generations of printers use the LPT port for connection. USB printers are almost always Plug & Play, which means that Windows printers are automatically configured. The default port is LPT1, but the Device Manager utility allows the user to configure this setting.
Step 2
Call the main system menu by clicking the "Start" button, and go to the "Printers and Faxes" item. Find the icon of the printer you are using and open its context menu by clicking the right mouse button. Specify the "Properties" item and go to the "Ports" tab of the dialog box that opens. Determine the port used by the printer.
Step 3
When installing a new printer on a computer running Windows XP, return to the main Start menu and go to Control Panel. Expand the "Printers and other devices" link and expand the "Printers and Faxes" node. Specify the "Add Printer" command in the left pane of the dialog box that opens by double-clicking and skip the first wizard window by clicking the "Next" button.
Step 4
Apply the checkbox in the "Local printer" line in the second window of the wizard and wait for the printer to be automatically detected. If the wizard could not find the printer connection module, click the "Next" button in the corresponding dialog box of the wizard and select the "LPT1: (Recommended printer port)" option in the drop-down menu of the "Use port" line. Confirm the saving of the changes made by clicking the "Next" button and follow the further recommendations of the installation wizard.
Step 5
Note that printers using ports other than COM, LPT, or USB can only be redirected on the network if Windows Server 2003 is installed on the local computer. Changing this situation is possible only if changes are made to the system registry entries.
