Trouble installing USB printer (lexmark Z54) in Win XP Pro. Plz help!

[RKAltimas01]

Just got a new Lexmark Z54 printer from costco for $30. I tried to install it on my Xp Pro PC but XP doesn't detect the printer. It only detects an "unknown device" The lexmark installation software doesn't detect a printer either. I tried to manually install the printer but the printer doesn't print. I also tried to reinstall the unknown device using the lexmark USB drivers but it doesn't work. The message, "The specific location doesn't contain any info about your hardware" pops up. I downloaded the new lexmark drivers off the internet...but still no dice.

I thought that the printer might be a lemon...but I tried to install it on my sisters WIN ME PC and it installed without a problem...I even tested the USB ports on my PC and they are functional. So I donno whats wrong....please help me!!! I need to get this printer up and running by next week! Thanks in advance.

Here are system specs

Windows XP Pro (2600 build)
Asus CUSL2 mobo
P3 800EB@930
320 PC133 ram
30 gib WD HD 5400rpm ata/66
Lite On 16x/40x DVD
Yamaha 8x/8x/32x CDRW
Radeon 32mb AGP
ATI AIW TV PCI
Linksys NIC PCI
Aopen 56k modem PCI
Promise ATA66 IDE controller PCI
SB Live! 5.1 PCI

 

[Jyoung24]

Just a thought but have you looked on Microsoft's HCL (Hardware Compatability List ) to see if that printer is listed as incompaitable? Sorry I don't have a fix for you.

 

[RKAltimas01]

its definitely compatible cause it said so on the box...thanks

 

[SilentRunning]

Have you tried the latest XP driver located here.

 

[RKAltimas01]

yup...tried those...but still doesn't detects the printer....and wont let me install manually...

 

[DaveSimmons]

Tried a different USB cable? You never know, I've had cat5 cables work fine with one PC or hub and fail on a different one.

 

[RKAltimas01]

tried two different USB cables..but still no luck...This is getting very frustrating...

 

[RKAltimas01]

anyone else wanna help?

 

[mellondust]

Try using a printer cable instead of the usb cable. WinXP is screwy that way. My z42 printer would try to install its self over again if I turned on the computer without it plugged into the usb port and then plugged it back in. Gave me lots of problems becuase I would have to install it over again to get it to work. I just decided to use a regular printer cable and have had no problems since. Try that, it might work.

 

[SCSIfreek]

I hope you're not attaching it to a hub? If you are connect the USB cable directly from the computer to your printer. Sometimes there isnt enough power to transmit the signal. Also many times it is prefer to install the software prior to connecting the printer.

--Scsi

 

[CapnCrunch]

I have an epson printer and xp pro and was having the same problem. I dont know why this worked but it did:
I installed the printer software and when it got to the point where it was detecting the printer, i used the found hardware wizard and used the search for best driver automatically and for some reason that allowed my printer software to detect my epson printer.

hope that helps

 

[RKAltimas01]

thx, i'll give it a shot. Also...the Z54 doesn't have the parallel port...only a USB....