9.3 Connecting a Printer
9.3.7 Adding a local printer
Adding a local printer is a relatively easy process. First go to the Start Menu, choose Settings, and then Printers. Select the Add Printer button. The Add Printer Wizard will launch. It will then ask whether the printer to be added is local or part of the network. If the user is the only one who will be using the printer, choose local. Connecting to a network printer will be discussed in the next section.

Choose the port to be assigned. LPT1 is the most common port for local printers. The printer manufacturer and model type must be provided. Choose the exact model from the list. If the model  is not listed, check the user guide that came with the printer for guidance or choose a model from the same manufacturer with similar names. For instance, if the printer is a HP DeskJet 550 and that particular model is not listed in the Add Printer Wizard, the closest model would be the HP DeskJet 500.

After a printer is chosen, the wizard will notify the user that the printer is now ready to use. This does not mean however that the printer and the computer are communicating properly. To verify this, a test page should be printed.

Lab Activity  (PDF, 16 KB)
  In this lab, students will connect a printer to a PC, install the correct printer driver, and verify computer/printer communication by printing a test page.