Lexmark "problems communicating with the printer" fault

I've tried everything I know of including attaching the printer to my laptop to make sure it worked (it did) Its plugged into a usb port, its powered up, its listed in the "allow programs" in firewall settings, the right driver and software is installed and still the computer seems unable to recognize it. It will allow me to go through the whole manual process of adding a printer off of the control panel, port choice and all, and still I get the "problem communicating with the printer" message.
This machine is XP Professional and was bought as a re-furb on eBay. it does have an "Administrative Tools" icon in contol panel. What is up here? anyone got an idea?

 

Oh, also, in the system hardware device manager, the printer appears under "imaging devices" not printers. In fact, I can't find any "printers" icon in the manager. Could I have this assigned to the wrong port?

 

Did you follow Lexmark instructions? You have to install the software first and plug in the printer until de CD tells you to do. In addition, when you do this you have to make sure there is not remmants from previous installations, so, clean this with the cleaner from Lexmark. Hope this help!!!

 

Anvilring,
This has happened to me too. What solves it on my system seems to be the power-up order. My computer wants my Lexmark printer to already be powered on before I turn on my computer.
So turn off your printer and computer and let them sit for a minute or so.
Then turn on your printer and then turn on your computer.

Sounds too simple I know, but it works for me every time :cool