error message during printer installation

[vepung]

I recently purchased a new xp home computer. While trying to install an existing okidata 6e printer, that worked well with 98, I keep getting the following error message--Parallel Port driver has not been istalled. Run the okipage 6e/6ex install.bat on the set-up disc to install it. Any help would be appreciated.
I was told windows xp comtained the necessary drivers to install this machine.
Verne

[glc]

Is the parallel port enabled in the bios and being seen in device manager? Exactly how are you trying to install the printer? It should be a simple add printer, pick from a list.

[vepung]

Yes it is recognized in the bios. I am just letting windows xp install it. I have tried several approaches but I was warned not to use the original installation disc as this could create problems with xp. I was told by okidata to install hp 4p driver but I cannot find this on xp and a download is not applicable to xp. The printer does work even with the error message, I would like to get rid of error message followed by another window wanting to install the printer again. Thanks for your interest.
vepung

[glc]

Okay, try this. Disconnect the printer and remove/delete it from Windows. Reboot. Leave it disconnected, open the add new printer wizard, check Local Printer, UNcheck detect plug and play printers, choose LPT1, and install from a list. Choose Okidata, then OKIPAGE 6e. Do everything but print a test page. Then shut down, reconnect the printer, start it up, and see what happens.

[vepung]

Well, I did as you suggested with the same results. The error message still comes up along with a window stating that new hardware has been found. This appears when I turn the printer on. The error message appeared before I ever reconnnected the printer to my computer. I even tried it both ways when screen that asked if I wanted the same or different driver. I doubled checked my bios and yes the parallel port is enabled.

[glc]

I don't know what to say - I just looked up the official procedure and it says that the printer will install itself. I'm sure you have read that page several times.

[vepung]

Thank you for your help. I had read the same thing. Why does the error message comes up before the printer is even connected. It seems that it is something to do with the installation process itself and not the the printer itself. Does the fact that it is not signed as the popup says, make a difference? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[glc]

Not signed? That's no big deal - does it give you the opportunity to install it anyway? That just means that the driver that is trying to install itself has not passed XP logo testing, it doesn't mean that it's not going to work.

[vepung]

Yes, I can install the printer. When ever I try to use the printer the error message that came up during installation comes up again but the the printer does print. I get another error message that tells me that it is not going to print but it does. The error message that comes up initally comes up during the process of installation as I said yesterday without the printer even being hooked up to the computer, must have some significance. Could this be a problem with the xp os not recognizing the parrallel port and actually has no bearing on okidata at all? I am repeating myself. I guess I will just live with it. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.