Canon Pro-1 driver installation

Reffyh

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Hi,
I’m having some issues installing the drivers for the Canon Pro-1. The installer states that the printer cannot be detected. I’ve went through the full troubleshooting guide provided by Canon. Tried new usb cords on known good hardware, clean booted windows, and tried it on 3 different computers.
The printer shows up when turned on initially and installs generic drivers (which I uninstall).
When I try to install drivers via usb I get the ‘cannot detect the printer’ error.
Is there anything I’m missing? Any known errors?

Thanks,
Jeff
 

stratman

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Welcome to the forum, Reffyh.

First, is this a used printer you have never used? If used, are you sure it is functional?

Second, are there any flashing lights or error messages other than the one you mentioned?

Third, are you using the proper version of drivers for your Operating System?

Fourth, did you explicitly follow Canon's installation guide instructions?

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART151101

A common installation error is to connect the printer USB cable or a Network cable before being prompted. The initial set up requires that only the Power Cord be connected.

Regardless, power off the printer, uninstall all Canon software/firmware you installed, unplug all cables for the printer from the printer and computer and power off your computer. Now power up your computer and proceed as if you just unboxed the printer and install the printer specifically as the installation guide instructs.
 

The Hat

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The printer shows up when turned on initially and installs generic drivers (which I uninstall).
Try plugging in the printer by USB and powering it on, and just leave the computer to recognise it and it will install the driver for you, (it’s not a generic driver) it’s a Windows driver, and later if you wish you can install the driver from the CD or Canon website (Preferred)..

Don’t uninstall the driver..
P.S. you must be on line to install the drivers..
 
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Reffyh

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Welcome to the forum, Reffyh.

First, is this a used printer you have never used? If used, are you sure it is functional?

Second, are there any flashing lights or error messages other than the one you mentioned?

Third, are you using the proper version of drivers for your Operating System?

Fourth, did you explicitly follow Canon's installation guide instructions?

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART151101

A common installation error is to connect the printer USB cable or a Network cable before being prompted. The initial set up requires that only the Power Cord be connected.

Regardless, power off the printer, uninstall all Canon software/firmware you installed, unplug all cables for the printer from the printer and computer and power off your computer. Now power up your computer and proceed as if you just unboxed the printer and install the printer specifically as the installation guide instructs.

Used printer, was known good before put into storage.

No flashing lights nor error messages.

I downloaded the W10 x64 drivers from the Canon website. (Which on subsequent attempts to install drivers manually said there aren't any x64-compatibel .inf files)

I just attempted the initial startup procedure (sans printhead and ink installation) to no avail. Still getting the same error.

Try plugging in the printer by USB and powering it on, and just leave the computer to recognise it and it will install the driver for you, (it’s not a generic driver) it’s a Windows driver, and later if you wish you can install the driver from the CD or Canon website (Preferred)..

Don’t uninstall the driver..
P.S. you must be on line to install the drivers..
I've attempted to install the driver multiple times with and without the generic Windows driver; no success. I'm online and I've left the installer open overnight.

I'm at a loss of what else I can try, any help is much appreciated.
 

stratman

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I just attempted the initial startup procedure (sans printhead and ink installation) to no avail. Still getting the same error.
Did you power off and unplug all cables to and from the printer, uninstall all printer related apps and the printer if it appears in Devices/Printers & scanners, reboot, and then follow the installation instructions in the link I posted? Follow all steps explicitly.

What version of Windows are you running.
What version of Windows were you running when this printed was functioning for you?


There was a Firmware update v.1.3 that provided support for Windows 10. Maybe the firmware of your printer needs updating to be recognized and run on Windows 10.

The current drivers version on the printers support page appears to be able to run on multiple versions of Windows from 10 going back to 7 and maybe more. If you need to update the firmware to v.1.3 before it will be able to be freshly installed on a Windows 10 machine, then maybe you can force the driver installation file to be installed as as an earlier version of Windows , ie the same Windows version you ran it on before you stored the printer away.

Scroll down in the following link to read about "How to Run an App in Compatibility Mode"

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/set-compatibility-mode-windows-10

INF's for Windows can be found in a CAB file or in a Library that stores them on your hard drive. CAB files can be downloaded. The Canon drivers file should have the appropriate CAB/INF file(s) for the printer and OS.

Sometimes Windows gets a little broken and you can "Repair" the files/system. Sometimes, if you are having certain issues with Windows, a "Restore" can return proper function. Repair might be helpful if missing CAB/INF files.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/repair-windows-10
 

Reffyh

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Did you power off and unplug all cables to and from the printer, uninstall all printer related apps and the printer if it appears in Devices/Printers & scanners, reboot, and then follow the installation instructions in the link I posted? Follow all steps explicitly.

What version of Windows are you running.
What version of Windows were you running when this printed was functioning for you?


There was a Firmware update v.1.3 that provided support for Windows 10. Maybe the firmware of your printer needs updating to be recognized and run on Windows 10.

The current drivers version on the printers support page appears to be able to run on multiple versions of Windows from 10 going back to 7 and maybe more. If you need to update the firmware to v.1.3 before it will be able to be freshly installed on a Windows 10 machine, then maybe you can force the driver installation file to be installed as as an earlier version of Windows , ie the same Windows version you ran it on before you stored the printer away.

Scroll down in the following link to read about "How to Run an App in Compatibility Mode"

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/set-compatibility-mode-windows-10

INF's for Windows can be found in a CAB file or in a Library that stores them on your hard drive. CAB files can be downloaded. The Canon drivers file should have the appropriate CAB/INF file(s) for the printer and OS.

Sometimes Windows gets a little broken and you can "Repair" the files/system. Sometimes, if you are having certain issues with Windows, a "Restore" can return proper function. Repair might be helpful if missing CAB/INF files.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/repair-windows-10

Yes, I followed Canon's instructions for initial setup. I'm running Windows 10, I've switched between W7 and W8 compatibility modes and tagged run as admin as well.

When I attempt to update firmware it states the printer cannot be found as well. I don't think I tried that in compatibility mode yet, so I'll give it a shot.

I'll run the repair tool for W10 now.

Thanks for the continued help

Edit: I'm unsure of what version of Windows it previously ran as this I got this printer used.

Compatibility mode for the firmware updater did not work

Edit2: After digging around the documentation surrounding firmware updating, I printed out a test sheet that is supposed to display firmware version, but it didn't display a version number

According to Canon's documentation I need to update firmware, but I'm unable to update using the updater in compatibility mode
 
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The Hat

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I've attempted to install the driver multiple times with and without the generic Windows driver; no success. I'm online and I've left the installer open overnight.
As I said don’t do anything with the print driver, but uninstall anything you have been able to install already.

Wait overnight and power on your computer as you normally do, but power on the printer first and have it connected, again the answer is patience, at some time during the day the computer will see the printer and download a driver and install the printer driver itself.

Question: ? As this printer is second hand, have you ever seen it work and did you get any history from the previous owners, because if the printer is locked in safe more, you won’t be able to do anything with it..
 

Reffyh

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As I said don’t do anything with the print driver, but uninstall anything you have been able to install already.

Wait overnight and power on your computer as you normally do, but power on the printer first and have it connected, again the answer is patience, at some time during the day the computer will see the printer and download a driver and install the printer driver itself.

Question: ? As this printer is second hand, have you ever seen it work and did you get any history from the previous owners, because if the printer is locked in safe more, you won’t be able to do anything with it..
It does install a Windows driver, just not a Canon driver.

I'll leave it connected overnight.

I believe it's a firmware issue, after printing a nozzle check it doesn't display a firmware version on the page. According to the documentation that means its firm ver. 1.xx. However, when I attempt to update the firmware it still states the printer cannot be found.

How can I determine if the printer is in safe mode?

Thanks
 

The Hat

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when I attempt to update the firmware it still states the printer cannot be found.
For Christ’s sake DON’T upgrade the firmware whatever else you do, you will destroy a perfectly good printer..

Now that you have a working printer and driver you can if your still not happy with the current driver try and see if there’s an newer upgrade available, again I say, Don’t upgrade your printer Firmware..

It does install a Windows driver, just not a Canon driver.
Just go into Properties and you can upgrade the driver from there, as shown in the Pic below..
The Firmware Version only appears on the Nozzle check when the printer is locked and is unable to enter Service Mode..
Capture.JPG click to enlarge..

P.S. you are fortunate to have one of the first Pro 1 printer that can be refilled and reset the waste ink counter, so don’t try to enter Service Mode unnecessarily, because the printer will lock you out if you mess with it..
 
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Reffyh

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For Christ’s sake DON’T upgrade the firmware whatever else you do, you will destroy a perfectly good printer..

Now that you have a working printer and driver you can if your still not happy with the current driver try and see if there’s an newer upgrade available, again I say, Don’t upgrade your printer Firmware..

Just go into Properties and you can upgrade the driver from there, as shown in the Pic below..
The Firmware Version only appears on the Nozzle check when the printer is locked and is unable to enter Service Mode..
View attachment 12378 click to enlarge..

P.S. you are fortunate to have one of the first Pro 1 printer that can be refilled and reset the waste ink counter, so don’t try to enter Service Mode unnecessarily, because the printer will lock you out if you mess with it..
That's what was in Canon's documentation regarding firmware, it was to perform a nozzle check and check the bottom for firmware version.

I had previously attempted to both update the driver from the Windows installed generic driver to no success. I had both attempted the automatic update and manually uploading the .inf file.

Surprisingly, this morning when I attempted again Windows updated to a Canon driver (yay!).

I had left the printer on overnight (which it shut itself off after the 240 min window) and just turned it on and attempted the driver reinstall.

I appreciate the help

Ps I hate drivers
 
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