IBM Aptiva Series, Handbook, Page: 48 / 164

3-8 Chapter 3: Getting started with your Aptiva computer
Getting ready to print
After you have attached your printer to your computer as
described on the
Setup poster , you need to install the
correct printer driver for the operating system you are using.
A
printer driver is a file that describes the characteristics of
your printer to the software. The software then uses the file
to convert your text and graphics into a form that your printer
can understand.
Windows 95 contains printer drivers for many popular
printers. If you find that Windows 95 does not have the driver
for your printer, use the printer drivers provided with the
printer.
Windows Help provides instructions for installing the driver
for your printer. To access these instructions, follow these
steps:
1.
From the Windows 95 desktop, click on the
Start
button.
2.
Click on
Help
.
3.
The “Windows Help” folder appears.
4.
Click on the
Index
tab at the top of the folder.
5.
In the first box, type:
printer
6.
The second box automatically displays a list of tasks
related to the printer. Select “printer drivers, installing”
and click on the
Display
button for instructions.
7.
As you follow the instructions, you will need to indicate:
The manufacturer and the model of your printer. If
you do not see the manufacturer or model name of
your printer in the list, see if your printer came with a
diskette that has a driver for Windows 95. If so,
follow the instructions for using the diskette.
Or, your printer may have an emulation mode that
allows it to print like one of the printers in the list.
Look in the documentation that came with your
printer to find information on emulation modes. Then
select the name of one of the printers it can emulate
in this list.
The default port for your printer. Select the LPT1:
Printer port option.
Note:
If you want to return to the Index list after reading the
printer drivers entry, click on the
Help Topics
button.
v65xahb.book : chap-3.fm Page 8 Friday, January 16, 1998 4:27 PM