Sometimes to test previewing a report in the Volunteer Reporter you will manually add a printer driver to the Devices and Printers control panel, even though that printer is not attached to the computer. Here are the steps to do that in the Windows 8 operating system.
If you’re lucky you can get to the Control Panel | Devices and Printers from your start menu. Otherwise, try this:
- On the keyboard press Windows key + I
- Click on Control Panel.
- Click on View devices and printers.
On the Devices and Printer screen, click: Add a printer button.
Windows will report: Searching for available printers…
Click: The printer that I want isn’t listed. Next.
Put the dot next to: Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. Next.
Put the dot next to: Use an existing port: LPT1. Next.
Install the printer driver. Under Manufacturer click on HP, for example. (However, since sometimes it’s better to choose a much older printer — and since no older ones are listed — if the HP doesn’t work you can come back and try a Microsoft printer instead.)
Next.
Under Printers click on: HP Color LaserJet 1600 Class Driver, in this example. Next.
No need to type a different printer name. Next.
Be sure the dot is next to: Do not share this printer. Next.
You will see that the new printer driver is set as the default printer. (Do not try to Print a test page.) Finish.
Now you have a dummy printer installed which ought to let you preview, but not print, a report in the Volunteer Reporter.
After you are finished testing, be sure to go back to the printer control panel and set the default printer back to the actual printer.