Lexmark and XP

I've recently purchased a Dell Dimension 2400 (502mb ram, 80gb hd) which has XP (HE) already installed. I then proceded to install my Lexmark 3200 printer which I have been using very happily for the past four years with Win95 on my old computer. When I inserted the installation disk I was told that this disk might damage my system. I then went to the Lexmark site where I downloaded the latest driver which is supposed to be compatible with XP. When I used the Windows Installation Wizard I followed the instruction very carefully. When I reached the point where I was asked to select the location where the new driver was located I did so and was told that this driver was not digitally signed (even though the Lexmark site claimed that it was compatible with XP). I nevertheless chose to use the driver and my printer was now installed successfuly and the test page printed perfectly. However, when I started to print other items I noticed that while they did print ok I did not have any of the audio and graphics features associated with my Lexmark program. It appears to me that XP wouldn't install the Lexmark driver and simply used one of it's own drivers which is why there is no sign of a Lexmark program on my system. Lexmark say that they don't provide support for this printer anymore (it's an excellent printer) so I'm now getting by with the XP driver. I really miss not having the full-featured program, so I was wondering if anyone out there encountered this problem and managed to get things back as they were in Win95? Of course I could just buy a new up-to-date printer ..........and I suspect that's what Lexmark would like me to do!

 

Printer drivers and the app to do the fancy communication with the user are completely different critters.

Sounds like Lexmark does have XP printer drivers but didn't update the Lexmark app to run with XP.

Sounds like your choices are just to have a working printer (which as I read your post, you do) or get a newer printer that has all the bells and whistles updated to run on XP.

As to the drivers not being digitally signed - Here is what Microsoft Technet has to say

Basically, your message just meant that M$ won't guarantee the drivers will install and work properly but since they did, you are fine. It also means you are using the Lexmark drivers since any on the M$ CD will have been signed.

 

Thanks, Newt.

 

Lugwalker - I have the same setup. Lex3200 and XP Home. I downloaded a zip file from Lexmark web, CJ203200, and the printer worked like it was supposed to, for a while at least, but now things are just about the same as what you describe. There is a file on my pc for the printer, LXK3200. Below is the advice I got from the boys at Lexmark back in May of this year. Hope it might help you a little. I had the printer on w98 and love the way it works. But I do not need or want to get a new printer so I guess printing without perks is my only way out.

>>Thank you for contacting regarding your Lexmark ColorJet
> 3200 Printer.
> >
> > I understand that you are facing a problem with the
> printer driver
> options.
> > This is a driver related issue and the driver needs to be
> reinstalled.
> > Please follow the instructions to resolve your issue.
> >
> > Check if your computer meets the following System
> requirements:
> >
> > Windows XP:
> > Pentium 300MHz
> > 128MB RAM
> > 500MB hard disk space
> > 500 MB Virtual Memory
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > XP Installation Instructions
> >
> > Copy and Paste the web address below to access the 3200
> XP Driver:
> >
> >
> http://drivers3.lexmark.com/drivers.nsf/SelectPrinter?OpenFo
> rm&Lexmark+3200+Color+Jetprinter
> >
> > Please use the following steps to download the Windows XP
> Lexmark 3200
> > Driver to your desktop.
> >
> > 1. Click on the Green Arrow next to Download Now.
> > 2. On the "File Download" screen, choose "Save "
> > 3. The next screen will be titled "Save As ". Choose to
> "Save in" Desktop
> > and click "OK "
> > 4. You should see files being transferred.
> >
> > ****Note**** If your browser uses a different file
> downloading format than
> > specified above, you will need to resort to your browsers
> help files for
> > downloading instructions. The object of steps 1 - 4 is to
> download the
> > driver to your desktop. This way it is easily accessible.
> >
> > 5. Once the files have completed downloading, double
> click on the icon
> with
> > your file name.
> > 6. On the Win Zip Self-Extractor screen click "OK "
> > 7. To unzip the downloaded file choose "Unzip "
> > 8. A screen will then display the number of files
> unzipped successfully,
> > click "OK "
> > 9. Follow the on screen instructions to complete
> installation of your
> > Lexmark Printer.

 

Thanks, El Parro. I did as you suggested but also, as you found out yourself, discovered that the situation remained the same: a functional printer without all the bells and whistles. I miss the 'Printing Started' and 'Printing Complete' voice, and also the graphic display. At least I haven't lost a printer!