ppre

Hello everyone,


I have to configure the computer of a friend of mine to work with Xerox Phaser 6120. I am a Linux user and I will never use Windows as a OS, but his computer has Windows Vista installed (64bit version).

The printer works correctly and without problems when connected to a (Toshiba) laptop with a 32bit version of Windows Vista.

If everything went perfect (something which never happens with M$ products...) the printer would be automatically detected and installed. However, it is not installed, although it is detected (I don't know how to do an lsusb in Windows; the mouse cursor changes when I plug the printer usb cable in, and I assume that means it detected something).

I have got the postscript drivers for the printer from here and now I would like to manually install them. However, it seems it is impossible to do so for USB printers in this wonderful OS, because they are supposed to be automatically detected. When I try to use the Add Printer wizard it only allows me to add printers connected to LPT* ports.

I would greatly appreciate if any of you could help me out with this. Thank you very much in advance :)

frankhad

ppre, I'm not sure what you were more interested in accomplishing with this post: resolving a problem your friend is having with a Xerox Phaser printer or expressing your contempt for Windows. Your remarks toward the latter were quite a distraction from what it seems is the real issue; and worse, you don't seem to understand that when you criticize Microsoft and it Windows operating system, you also criticize me and thousands of others who made the conscious decision to install and use Windows. That kind of an approach is not exactly conducive to receiving help from those whom you, in the same breath chastise, indirectly or otherwise.

I do not currently use Windows Vista for my operating system but am in the process of building a new computer on which I intend to install 64-bit Vista. In researching that decision for myself I've noticed one of the problems seems related to the lack of 64-bit drivers available for many peripherals and programs. Though I can't be certain, this very well could be the cause of the problem you and your friend are having. By chance, have you searched the Xerox web site for any similar experiences other Phaser users may be having? It just may be that Xerox has not yet made 64-bit drivers available for this printer.

ppre

This is the XEROX description of the file I downloaded. I think it is pretty self-explanatory about the support of 64bit Windows versions.

I have installed Slackware (a Linux distribution) in a small partition of the HD of the computer and I have been able to use the printer (full functionality) with CUPS and the PPD I got from XEROX. So, the problem is not in the printer nor in the official drivers.

The problem is in the OS configuration and this is why I came to this forum asking for help. I am not criticizing Windows users when I point at Windows' problems. I am just criticizing a piece of software which intends to be (too?) easy to use and turns out to be a pain in the neck. That's it. Although I do not like to drive cars with automatic gearbox, I am not criticizing anyone who likes it when I express my dislike.

Thanks anyway.