I have installed a Lexmark Z22 printer I was using on another computer in Windows 98. I downloaded and installed the reccomended driver for XP. The computer tells me it can't communicate with the printer and to go to the ports tab and make sure " enable bidirectional support" is checked. I can't check it because it is greyed out. What do I do now? Please help.

Hi there, I hate messing with printers but, One suggestion is to make sure the correct drivers are installed. Add and Remove progams--- check to see the drivers are there. Sorry that is all I can help you with. Good Luck.

Try going into the BIOS screens and setting the parallel port settings to EPP or the third selection, which should be a combination of both. It probably is currently set to SPP. The software wants to communicate with the printer and it needs an Enhanced Parallel Port. The printer cable also needs to be a bi-directional cable and shouldn't be more than 6' long. To enter the BIOS screens watch the text on the screen during the POST. Delete is the most common keystroke, but can be others.

http://www.lexmark.com/US/products/overview/0,1224,NTQ0fDE=,00.html This is support and drivers for z22 printers using xp os. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/downloads.cgi?ccs=229:1:0:284:0:0&emeaframe=&fileID=1013 Install instructions for xp based z22's. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid...

OtheHill, I should have said that I am not very experienced. Especially as I haven't had XP for very long. I have never gone into the Bios. Can you tell me exactly how to do this step by step? It told me to press F1 to go in and I did, but then from the options it listed, I didn't know what to do next. Sorry to be such a bother.

Each BIOS is a little different so I can't describe the exact steps. The BIOS however, has absolutely nothing to do with what operating system you are using. The settings for the parallel port should be under the heading of INTEGRATED PERIPHERALS. Look for parallel port and be sure it is enabled. The address settings should be left at default, where they are. Just below that you should find parallel port modes. After looking at my manual I realise the default mode may not be SPP but rather ECP. There should be 3 or 4 choices here. The correct choice depends on your printer. If you have a manual for the printer I suggest you find what works best with your printer. If you don't have a manual, You won't harm anything by using the trial and error method. That will just be somewhat frustrating. You may be able to download a manual from the printer makers site. The method to navigate inside the BIOS screens is as follows. The page up/dn keys usually toggle the selections. Arrow keys somtimes work, escape key will take you back one screen. and the F keys have various funtions. Just read the screens and don't make lots of changes at once. Be sure to save and exit (usually F10). If you mess something up and the machine fails to start there are two ways to fix that. If the BIOS is accessable simply change the settings back to the original, or read the screens to select the defaults. This is getting to be a lengthy post. I suggest you do this. Enter the BIOS screens and manuever around to see the options but don't change any settings. When exiting you can always select the choice to exit without saving the settings. This can be confusing but what that means if exit without changing anything. If you have a manual on your computer it would help you to look over the section on the BIOS settings.