"My Printer Doesn't Work"

Normally "My Printer Doesn't Work" isn't enough information to give a concise clear answer.

Challenge Accepted

I am going to make a few assumptions...

MS Vista OS, MS Office 2007, and a consumer grade USB Inkjet/Laser printer.

Basics before we do anything.

	Hardware level 

		Power cord plugged in at the printer and the wall?
			Give both ends a gentle tug to make sure they are seated tightly.
		Is the USB cable plugged in at the printer and the computer case?
			Gentle tug at both ends again.

First we are going to make sure that the OS recognizes there is a printer attached.

	Click the 'Start Button' (It is the round button in the lower left.)
	RIGHT CLICK 'Computer' in the second column.
	A context menu will pop up, click 'Properties'.
	A Management Console will pop up.
	Click 'Device Manager' in the left hand column.
		You may neet to allow the action to continue.

	You should see a little directory tree of every hardware device your computer has.
		Many will be gobbldygook devices that you've never heard of.
			PCI Bus... WTF?
		Some, like the keyboard, will be plainly visible and familiar.
		Look for either 'Printers' or 'Universal Serial Bus controllers'
			Is your printer in either of those?

			NO, you need to reinstall the printer with the manufacturer's disk
			 or with a downloaded setup program from the manufacturer's website.

			YES, close all the windows and continue.

Next, since the computer knows your printer exists; we need to make sure it knows to use it.

Let's check to make sure the Operating System has your printer set as the 'default' printer.

	Click the 'Start Button' (It is the round button in the lower left.)
	Click 'Control Panel' in the right hand column.
	A management console type window will pop up.
		You may neet to authorize the action.
	Click 'Hardware and Sound'
	Click 'Devices and Printers' if 'Printers' by itself isn't available.
	Look for your printer, it should have a checkmark.
		If not RIGHT CLICK your printer and cick 'Set as default printer'.
		If it does we'll look in MS Office.
	Close all the windows.

	Open MS Office (Word or Excel)
	Click the 'Windows' type image in the upper left corner.  It is actually a menu icon.
		'Print...' is in there.
			If you use the 'Print...' menu item it will give you printing options.

As a last resort, try 'Windows Update'.
	Click the 'Start Button'.
	Click 'Programs'.
		You should see 'Windows Update'.
		Click it and follow the instructions
		Restart your Computer.
			Rinse and repeat until 'Windows Update' reports no more updates for your computer.

If these instructions fail, you can try ###-953-9738 which is my home number.
But, I will expect a small favor in exchange.
	(Nothing difficult, nothing creepy.  If I were in a movie, I would wear a white hat.)

I was able to learn that the printer was not recognized until the drivers were loaded. Once the drivers were loaded she could print. ...Challenge Beaten