General Chat

I have been trying all day to get a new printer to print! a Lexmark x3480 first of all it kept saying 'incorrect cartridge' (it came with it) so took it back to shop + printer and they gave me an other one. Now its saying 'no connection to computer' (or similar) been pulling my hair out does any kind soul have any ideas please? Norah

Just try the simple one plug it into a different USB port it may pick it up, have you set it as the default print in the settings? Louise

did it come with any software,and have you installed that first,or as the instructions say,kev

Just a thought......... you DID load the software BEFORE you connected the printer? Bob

Thanks everyone yes I put in the disc and have also put the thingy into different slots (see I'm no good at all this jargon) the only thing Louise what do you mean by default setting? not sure about that Norah

If you go your start up and find control panel (on the right half way down) click into it and then click onto printers you will get a piece that says view installed printers, on this you should have the old printer name and the new printer name and you have to click on the one you are wanting to use (new one), which then makes it the default printer. But make sure there is a icon for the new printer - let us know if it is listed there. Regards - Louise

If you have had printers installed previously, the PC will still try to print with that one, go into control panel find ''printers'', and see what it says, in there, Bob

Alas have been into control it was'nt showing the new printer as ready but having changed it still getting the same old message - no connection - so think I will go back tomorrow with it thanks anyway Norah

Before you take it back, now you have set it as default and you know it is there switch the printer off and the computer and then turn them both back on as sometimes you need to restart the computer after putting on new hardware before you can use it. Just try it once. Regards - Louise

Hi Louise thanks for you time but have just tried that and still the message comes up on the puter 'printer cannot communicate with computer' (silly thing!!) can print off photos but not print of the files not to worry will go back tomorrow and he will no doubt think oh here she comes again!! I'm off now to watch trial and retribution before I do IT any damage ta again Norah

Hope you get it sorted, theres nothing worse than setting up new stuff and going round and round in circles for hours. Louise

I Know this is really really stupid question BUT this printer is supposed to do 'Print/Copy/Scan/Photo' OK! It does mean it will print off the computer won't it ? Its not just for doing printing photos etc without the computer LOL! Stupid or what?# Norah

OK! no one here am off now will quietly crawl away with shame BUT will be back much later ta-ra Norah

Yes - it is designed to be used with the computer.

I have a epson dx 4000, and that will stand alone and act as a copier.......OR print from the PC.. Bob

If your operating system is, for example, Windows 98 then it MIGHT be that it can't cope with a 'modern' 3 in 1 printer. If it's Windows XP then there shouldn't be any problems. A thought - have you inserted the catridge(s) properly incl removing any seal that needed to be removed prior to inserting in the machine. Are your connections good? Yes, a 3 in 1 printer/scanner/copier is for use with a PC as well as being a 'stand alone' copier. Did you uninstal your old printer? If it was me I would 'uninstall' your new 3 in 1 making sure that everything clears. Then using the software that came with the 3 in 1 try installing it again. If that doesn't work I think you have a case of 'Not fit for purpose' and could ask for a refund. I use an Epson DX3800 just over a year old, have done a lot of printing with it. Cost me £69 and can get cheap compatible cartridges for it locally. There's another thread somewhere on this site about problems with some makes of printers. Hope this helps. Ron

A daft question but you say you put the disc in when you wanted to instal the 3 in 1 but did you follow the instructions fully/correctly? Ron

Thanks again folks and yes followed instructions and puter is an xp - even oh was here, but not much help! - Did'nt actually uninstall the other printer but when I went into control etc it did'nt seem to be active neither was the new one but can't get it to respond think I will really have to go back to Currys again! oh well! might try and get a different type Norah

You do not need to uninstall other printers - you can have as many installed as you wish. One will be set as default but you can then cycle through them all.

Thanks Errol where are all my kids when I want them!