Lexmark Printer Driver Installation Fails

[Juan Wei]

A friend gave me a Lexmark Prospect Pro200 series all-in-one that had
been in her daughter's attic for a year.

I decided to hook it up and see if it worked. Windows 7 found and
installed drivers. I removed the printer and tried to install drivers
that I got from Lexmark, but I got an error message: "The Windows Print
Spooler Service cannot be started...blah, blah, blah".

I checked and it IS running!

WTF????

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

A friend gave me a Lexmark Prospect Pro200 series all-in-one that had
been in her daughter's attic for a year.

I decided to hook it up and see if it worked. Windows 7 found and
installed drivers. I removed the printer and tried to install drivers
that I got from Lexmark, but I got an error message: "The Windows Print
Spooler Service cannot be started...blah, blah, blah".

I checked and it IS running!

WTF????

Did you reboot to complete the installation?

See if that continues to happen on each reboot.

 

[Juan Wei]

Gene E. Bloch has written on 6/30/2013 11:21 PM:

Did you reboot to complete the installation?

After Windows downloaded and installed drivers? In the course of trying
to solve another problem, I restarted several times.

 

[Ken1943]

You are posting several problems in this group. What OS was on your
computer ? Did you upgrade to Windows 7 or do a clean install ?


KenW

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Gene E. Bloch has written on 6/30/2013 11:21 PM:

After Windows downloaded and installed drivers? In the course of trying
to solve another problem, I restarted several times.

OK.

Since sometimes we all forget to do something obvious (or at least I
do), I had to check

From your initial post, though, I'd guess that it is now running
normally in spite of that error message. True?

 

[Juan Wei]

Ken1943 has written on 7/1/2013 2:01 PM:

You are posting several problems in this group.

Is that a problem?

What OS was on your computer?

When I bought it? Win 7 HP

Did you upgrade to Windows 7 or do a clean install ?

Upgraded to Ultimate.

These problems I'm posting about are relatively new.

 

[Juan Wei]

Gene E. Bloch has written on 7/1/2013 2:29 PM:

OK.

Since sometimes we all forget to do something obvious (or at least I
do), I had to check

From your initial post, though, I'd guess that it is now running
normally in spite of that error message. True?

"It" being the spooler? The spooler has been running.

However, since I don't have ink for the printer, I'm going to freecycle
it and let someone who needs a printer try their luck.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

"It" being the spooler? The spooler has been running.
Yes.

However, since I don't have ink for the printer, I'm going to freecycle
it and let someone who needs a printer try their luck.

You could've used the printer without ink. That way, not only would you
save on ink costs, you could also reuse the paper.

 

[Phil Odox]

A friend gave me a Lexmark Prospect Pro200 series all-in-one that had
been in her daughter's attic for a year.

I decided to hook it up and see if it worked. Windows 7 found and
installed drivers. I removed the printer and tried to install drivers
that I got from Lexmark, but I got an error message: "The Windows Print
Spooler Service cannot be started...blah, blah, blah".

I checked and it IS running!

WTF????

I don't use Lexmark anymore since learning their driver software loads
a Trojan backdoor. Read this article (below) that I found after
Googling for a file (Lx_CATS.ini.) that I accidentally came across one
day when searching through my PC.

"Yes, Lexmark is now in the Spyware business!

Just the other day I purchased a new Lexmark X5250 All-in-one printer.
I installed it as per the instructions and monitored the install with
Norton as I do with all new software.

On reviewing the install log I noticed a program called Lx_CATS had
been placed in the c:\program files directory. I investigated and
found a data log and an initialisation file called Lx_CATS.ini.
Further investigation of this file showed that Lexmark had, without my
permission, loaded a Trojan backdoor on to my computer. Furthermore,
it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely
never know it was there and active.

This Lexmark Trojan was programmed to monitor my use of the printer by
way of data collected from two DLLs in the c:\program files\lexmark500
folder. The Trojan would then send information on printer usage,
including types of print activity, scanning activity, OCR activity
etc., back to a hidden URL at 30 day intervals.

The URL, www.lxkcc1.com, is identified as being owned by Lexmark.

When I called and spoke with Lexmark support, they denied all
knowledge of any such program, and suggested I had somehow been
infected by a virus. When I challenged them with the facts, they
ultimately aknowleged that this was indeed activity tracking software
that reported printer and cartridge use back to them for "survey"
purposes. Lexmark said that "no personal data" was relayed by the
program, and that I could not be personally identified by it. However
- the program transmits the printer serial number, and when I
registered the warranty with Lexmark, they recorded my personal
information along with the serial number. How much effort does it take
to match the two?

I call it spying! I was not advised of this part of the installation,
nor was I asked to agree to be part of any such data gathering
activity. I see this as a breach of my privacy, and as deplorable
behaviour by Lexmark.

Lexmark users beware! But, they may not be the only ones stealing your
private information."
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/17196-3-lexmark-printer-users-beware-spyware

I never use Lexmark, and if you're at all concerned about your privacy
I would strongly advise you never to use that company, either.

 

[Juan Wei]

Gene E. Bloch has written on 7/1/2013 2:51 PM:

You could've used the printer without ink. That way, not only would you
save on ink costs, you could also reuse the paper.

Brilliant! And I could use it to reserve space on my desk for something
that I will put in its place.

 

[Juan Wei]

Thanks, Phil!

Phil Odox has written on 7/1/2013 2:55 PM:

 

[Paul]

I never use Lexmark, and if you're at all concerned about your privacy
I would strongly advise you never to use that company, either.

Always buy NSA-brand printers, for that minty-fresh output

Now, attempt to print money with your printer, and see what happens

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229647/counterfeit_money_on_color_laser_printers.html

Paul

 

[Ken1943]

Ken1943 has written on 7/1/2013 2:01 PM:

Is that a problem?


When I bought it? Win 7 HP


Upgraded to Ultimate.

These problems I'm posting about are relatively new.

Just trying to put 2+2= but keep coming up with 5


KenW

 

[Juan Wei]

Paul has written on 7/1/2013 4:30 PM:

Always buy NSA-brand printers, for that minty-fresh output

Now, attempt to print money with your printer, and see what happens

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229647/counterfeit_money_on_color_laser_printers.html

Darn! This is an inkjet.

 

[Chris S.]

Paul has written on 7/1/2013 4:30 PM:

Darn! This is an inkjet.

It would pass in W. Lafayette, Indiana....

Chris

 

[Ed Cryer]

I don't use Lexmark anymore since learning their driver software loads
a Trojan backdoor. Read this article (below) that I found after
Googling for a file (Lx_CATS.ini.) that I accidentally came across one
day when searching through my PC.

"Yes, Lexmark is now in the Spyware business!

Just the other day I purchased a new Lexmark X5250 All-in-one printer.
I installed it as per the instructions and monitored the install with
Norton as I do with all new software.

On reviewing the install log I noticed a program called Lx_CATS had
been placed in the c:\program files directory. I investigated and
found a data log and an initialisation file called Lx_CATS.ini.
Further investigation of this file showed that Lexmark had, without my
permission, loaded a Trojan backdoor on to my computer. Furthermore,
it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely
never know it was there and active.

This Lexmark Trojan was programmed to monitor my use of the printer by
way of data collected from two DLLs in the c:\program files\lexmark500
folder. The Trojan would then send information on printer usage,
including types of print activity, scanning activity, OCR activity
etc., back to a hidden URL at 30 day intervals.

The URL, www.lxkcc1.com, is identified as being owned by Lexmark.

When I called and spoke with Lexmark support, they denied all
knowledge of any such program, and suggested I had somehow been
infected by a virus. When I challenged them with the facts, they
ultimately aknowleged that this was indeed activity tracking software
that reported printer and cartridge use back to them for "survey"
purposes. Lexmark said that "no personal data" was relayed by the
program, and that I could not be personally identified by it. However
- the program transmits the printer serial number, and when I
registered the warranty with Lexmark, they recorded my personal
information along with the serial number. How much effort does it take
to match the two?

I call it spying! I was not advised of this part of the installation,
nor was I asked to agree to be part of any such data gathering
activity. I see this as a breach of my privacy, and as deplorable
behaviour by Lexmark.

Lexmark users beware! But, they may not be the only ones stealing your
private information."
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/17196-3-lexmark-printer-users-beware-spyware

I never use Lexmark, and if you're at all concerned about your privacy
I would strongly advise you never to use that company, either.

My Lexmark printer installed two services; "lxdp_device" and
"lxdpCATSCustConnectService".
I disabled them both as soon as I found them.

After a short time of using the thing (it worked well enough, I must
admit) I found that the ink cartridges were emptying very rapidly, and
replacements were far from cheap, so I got another printer.

Ed

 

[Phil Odox]

Thanks, Phil!

You're welcome, Juan.

 

[Phil Odox]

My Lexmark printer installed two services; "lxdp_device" and
"lxdpCATSCustConnectService".
I disabled them both as soon as I found them.

After a short time of using the thing (it worked well enough, I must
admit) I found that the ink cartridges were emptying very rapidly, and
replacements were far from cheap, so I got another printer.

Ed

I got it second-hand to use as a flatbed scanner. I duly went online
and downloaded the relevant software and drivers, but when I found
those files and saw that they were relaying all that information back
to Lexmark without asking for my permission during setup, I dumped the
thing after making sure it would never work again if it were salvaged.
As for printer ink,

"The cost of ink is truly astronomical. A typical HP cartridge costing
£13 contains a measly 4ml of ink — the equivalent of more than £3,000
a litre."
http://tinyurl.com/a725537

 

[Phil Odox]

Always buy NSA-brand printers, for that minty-fresh output

Now, attempt to print money with your printer, and see what happens

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229647/counterfeit_money_on_color_laser_printers.html

Paul

Okay, so what about all those letters I was thinking about printing
and sending to all my immediate neighbours, telling them anonymously
("From a neighbour") exactly what I really thought about them, their
filthy cats, and their scummy kids? Could they find out who actually
sent them if they pushed the matter with my local police?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Gene E. Bloch has written on 7/1/2013 2:51 PM:

Brilliant! And I could use it to reserve space on my desk for something
that I will put in its place.

Also for aesthetic balance.

I hate a desk with a large object on one side that is not balanced by a
similar object on the opposite side.

That's why I spelled esthetic with the 'a'.