I have never used lexmark so I would follow setishocks advice.

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Per, Okay ... if I can find the link to download that program from Lexmark I'll surely do that. Thank you for your suggestions though ... I really appreciate the time you gave me. :) I did email Lexmark about the problem, and here's what they said: <snip> Thank you for contacting us regarding this matter. I appreciate the opportunity to assist you, and I hope my suggestions will provide a resolution. The primary cause for a computer lockup upon inserting a USB cable or the computer not shutting down or starting up correctly unless the USB cable is removed could be an electrical grounding issue with the motherboard's USB connections. To ensure the problem is not your motherboard, try the printer on another computer and use a different USB cable. If it still fails, please let us know, as this may mean you have a faulty printer. If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact me at your convenience and I will be happy to assist you. </snip> I don't see how it could be a problem with my motherboard when my old Canon printer worked just fine with 98 on New Year's. The Canon wasn't in the best shape anymore, we had it a looong time, so I decided not to reinstall it when I upgraded to XP - I thought a new printer would be better. I don't think the problem is the USB Cable, since we just bought it for this printer. It's a "Belkin - Hi Speed USB 2.0 Cable" my husband got from Walmart. And I don't see how it can be a faulty printer when it does print/scan/copy well. If setishock's advice fails though, I will take it back and tell them it's faulty. Then I'll get an HP. I should probably do that anyway. LOL! I think setishock hit the nail on the head when he said the problem was that Lexmark instructs you to hook up the printer, THEN install the software. All other devices I've installed had you install the software first. Next time I get a printer it will be HP or better ... no more Lexmark for me. It just burns me that my cousin - who knows less about computers than I do, which is pitiful at best - had no problems at all with her Lexmark. Sigh ... beginners luck I guess. ;) I'll email Lexmark back and ask them to send me the windows installer setishock spoke of, or at least send me the link to download it. Then I'll try her again. Many thanks & much gratitude to you & setishock for responding to my problem. I LOVE COMPUTING.NET!!! I've never had a problem that someone here wasn't able to help me solve!!! :)

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Try here for the driver download. http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/downloads.cgi?ccs=194:1:0:435:0:0&os_group=Windows%20XP&target=

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Thanks, Per. I downloaded the updated driver and installed it. Still have the same problem. Haven't found a link for the "Windows Installer" that setishock talked about ... sigh. Seriously thinking of returning the Lexmark to Walmart as defective and getting an HP instead. :(

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I searched for the uninstaller seti was talking about to no avail. Maybe it is a faulty printer. I have had a HP 932 for 3 years with no problem. USB. The only problem is ink is so expensive. Someone here recommended Island Ink for refills. Good luck and sorry I couldn't help any further. Rgds.

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Per, Thank you for all your help. I've tried everything suggested by you, seti, and Lexmark to no avail. The printer simply must be faulty. I'm returning it and getting an HP instead. ;) Thanks!

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Try this link for the Lexmark X73 removal tool http://www.downloaddelivery.com/srfilecache/LXKX73CLEANEN.exe

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Thank you, Rob! I downloaded it and will give it a try! :)

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