Which type of software needs to be loaded onto a computer before a printer will work

{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T23:01:56+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T23:01:56+00:00","timestamp":"2022-06-22T19:30:37+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Electronics","_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33543"},"slug":"electronics","categoryId":33543},{"name":"Printers & Scanners","_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33552"},"slug":"printers-scanners","categoryId":33552}],"title":"How to Set Up a Printer for Your Laptop","strippedTitle":"how to set up a printer for your laptop","slug":"how-to-set-up-a-printer-for-your-laptop","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port. Plug in the printer, a","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port.</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Plug in the printer, and ensure that it’s turned off.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Also, set up the printer with ink and paper according to the directions that came with the printer.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Or, you can plug a standard printer cable into the printer’s I/O panel or into your laptop’s port replicator or docking station.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Turn on the printer.</p>\n </li>\n</ol>\n<p>Windows should instantly recognize the printer. Then, because you’re using a USB printer, it knows the printer’s name and brand, and it even installs software for you, setting everything up just so.</p>\n<p>When you’re using the older printer-port type of printer, you’ll probably have to use some kind of software installation disc.</p>\n<p class=\"EndOfSteps\">After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don’t need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Printers work by using a <i>driver</i><i>,</i> which is a software program that controls the printer.</p>","description":"<p>To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port.</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Plug in the printer, and ensure that it’s turned off.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Also, set up the printer with ink and paper according to the directions that came with the printer.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Or, you can plug a standard printer cable into the printer’s I/O panel or into your laptop’s port replicator or docking station.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Turn on the printer.</p>\n </li>\n</ol>\n<p>Windows should instantly recognize the printer. Then, because you’re using a USB printer, it knows the printer’s name and brand, and it even installs software for you, setting everything up just so.</p>\n<p>When you’re using the older printer-port type of printer, you’ll probably have to use some kind of software installation disc.</p>\n<p class=\"EndOfSteps\">After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don’t need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Printers work by using a <i>driver</i><i>,</i> which is a software program that controls the printer.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33552,"title":"Printers & Scanners","slug":"printers-scanners","_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33552"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":206970,"title":"How to Calibrate Inkjet Printer Cartridges","slug":"how-to-calibrate-inkjet-printer-cartridges","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206970"}},{"articleId":206816,"title":"How to Use a Scanner","slug":"how-to-use-a-scanner","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206816"}},{"articleId":206747,"title":"How to Clean Inkjet Printer Cartridges","slug":"how-to-clean-inkjet-printer-cartridges","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206747"}},{"articleId":206052,"title":"How to Install a Printer","slug":"for-seniors-how-to-install-a-printer-for-your-computer","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206052"}},{"articleId":202260,"title":"Choosing a Scanner Resolution for Photos","slug":"choosing-a-scanner-resolution-for-photos","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/202260"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":292820,"slug":"circuitbuilding-do-it-yourself-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470173428","categoryList":["technology","electronics","circuitry"],"amazon":{"default":"//www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"//www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"//www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=//www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470173424-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"//www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"//www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"//catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/jimages/9780470173428.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b><b data-author-id=\"9557\">H. Ward Silver</b></b> has experienced a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000, he turned to teaching and writing as a second career, producing <i>Ham Radios For Dummies</i> in 2004. He supports Seattle University&#8217;s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in laboratory instruction. He is an avid Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class, first licensed in 1972. Each month, his columns and articles can be found in the national ham radio magazine, <i>QST,</i> published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He is the author of the ARRL&#8217;s online courses in Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find him working on his mandolin technique and compositions.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9557,"name":"H. Ward Silver","slug":"h-ward-silver","description":" <b>H. Ward Silver</b> has experienced a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000, he turned to teaching and writing as a second career, producing <i>Ham Radios For Dummies</i> in 2004. He supports Seattle University&#8217;s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in laboratory instruction. He is an avid Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class, first licensed in 1972. Each month, his columns and articles can be found in the national ham radio magazine, <i>QST,</i> published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He is the author of the ARRL&#8217;s online courses in Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find him working on his mandolin technique and compositions.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9557"}}],"_links":{"self":"//dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/292820"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;technology&quot;,&quot;electronics&quot;,&quot;printers-scanners&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62b36dddeaa2d\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = 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