Lexmark X5650 features have crashed - alternative?

I have a Lexmark X5650 all-in-one printer, purchased about a year ago. When new, I could run the scan, copy and fax features from the computer using a Lexmark utility called "Printivity Studio ".

During a recent major collapse of Office 2003, caused by faulty Microsoft updates, I started getting a diagnostic saying "Printer transfer card monitor has encountered a problem and must shut down ".

I did a major clean-up of the registry using Registry Mechanic, and eventually managed to get a clean download of an updated program for the printer from Lemark's download server. After I installed it, the ability to run the scan, copy and fax features from the computer was not there any more. I can still run them from the printer front panel.

Lexmark customer support said "We don't include the scan, copy and fax software in the download."

I tried a new installation from the disc provided with the printer. It got about 80% of the way through and crashed. Another download did the same.

I'm really ticked off at Lexmark. I've lost 60% or more of the features that persuaded me to buy their printer and they don't seem to give a rats! Plus, I get diagnostic messages at frequent intervals about the card monitor. Unfortunately, it's out of warranty.

I would definitely not recommend getting one of their machines, based on their customer "support ".

Any recommendations on a sub-$125 all-in-one (Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, HP)?

BTW, system is an e-Machines box, running Win XP Home with SP3 and Office 2003.

 

You don't say you uninstalled the drivers/software. You should try uninstalling everything related to the printer (have it disconnected), then try reinstalling it again as if it was just out of the box.
http://support.lexmark.com/index?pa...ductCode=LEXMARK_X5650&searchid=1258353051314

They say there are several uninstallers, so you will need to find them all (or look through Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs).

That is always the main troubleshooting step when something major goes wrong with a printer.

Matt

 

Matt:

I used the Lexmark uninstaller, embedded in the download, to get rid of most things, then use add/remove to get rid of a few extras (Lexmark tool bar, Tools for Office).

I don't see anything related to Lexmark by looking in either the add/remove list or "My Computer/Program Files ".

The printer is a USB hook-up and I have it disconnected during the installation until the Install instructions say to hook it up. Incidentally, although my computer is USB2 throughout, I get a diagnostic saying the printer would work better on a faster USB connection!

 

You can go to Device Manager, highlight and uninstall everything under the heading Universal Serial Bus Controllers (don't have any devices connected). They will be automatically reinstalled after you reboot. If it still does not work, your chipset drivers might not be installed or you need to find an updated set. The printer will be designed to run on USB 2.0 so you need to get that sorted out first. This tells you the basics about the Enhanced controller
http://www.usbman.com/Guides/checking_for_usb_2.htm
Don't connect through any hubs, cables, cable extensions that might be causing it. You say "thoughout ", so you know that older computers had USB 2.0 at the back and USB 1.1 connectors at the front.

Matt