While speaking to a client, I discovered that they needed to install a Lexmark X5470 on Windows 7. This did not appear to be a problem until the end-user mentioned that they no longer had the installation disk for the Lexmark X5470 and a quick search of Lexmark’s website showed only compatible drivers up to Windows Vista (Lexmark intentionally hides the driver from their search results for users surfing with versions of Windows later than Vista) as the Lexmark X5470 line was discontinued and therefore no longer supported.
LEXINGTON, KY. – 01/30/2009
Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced an expansion of its relationship with Dell, to collaborate on a broader set of printer models and related aftermarket cartridges manufactured by Lexmark and sold to customers under the Dell brand.
Windows Vista
The printer worked great under Windows Vista for the user and was so easy to do that they set it up themselves. Unfortunately, they got a virus and it is their company policy that they are given a fresh hard drive with the latest Windows Operating System (currently Windows 7) and migrate their files.
Windows 7
So, would the 32-bit or 64-bit drivers at least work on Windows 7 with the Lexmark X5470? Well, the short answer is yes but note that there is a long and tricky process to get it to function correctly. Why is that? Well, if you merely ran the Windows Vista drivers setup file that you download from Lexmark’s website, you will receive an error message saying that the Lexmark 5400 series universal drivers are not compatible with your versions of Windows 7 which is in fact true as the setup file was not updated (since the printer is discontinued) or designed to be executed in any versions of Windows 7 so we need creative and install the software using compatibility mode given to us by Microsoft.
Please remember that the Lexmark X5470 features scanning capabilities so be sure that all the drivers and software are installed correctly and up-to-date under the Device Manager screen. Once all the drivers under the Device Manager screen are up-to-date, you will see the Lexmark X5470 working correctly under Windows 7.
Windows 8
The user wasn’t careful and got another virus and now had to be moved to Windows 8. Please note the previous trick in Windows 7 to use compatibility mode did not work so I tried a second approach of installing Windows 7 and then went through the process of upgrading it to Windows 8. The printer is now very slow to print but it functions saving the user from buying a replacement printer.
Windows 8.1
With the release of Windows 9 (aka Windows 8.1) print speeds improved so it seems the previous OS was buggy and was now able to use the compatibility mode install over a lengthy upgrade. With the Barracuda Malware Removal Tool installed on Windows 8, all I had to do was upgrade so if your installer fails, try to update from Windows 7.
Windows 10
The user computer is now out of regular and extended warranty so the company got them a new PC that was shipped with Windows 10 and will donate the old one to deprived schools in Africa so I was called in once again to help. Sadly, the printhead on the X5470 has gone bad on the printer so I can not confirm if it will print. I often check Lexmark’s website to see if new drivers are released and Dell’s website (checking Dell’s website for drivers is good too as Dell slaps their logo on Lexmark built printers) but Dell’s site always throws back a “Gateway Time-out” error when I am searching so maybe they found out my workaround and is blocking me. If your printhead goes bad, don’t waste time trying to fix it and get something more modern and ink efficient. If you want to stick with the Lexmark brand, tell Lexmark that your printer is not working with Windows 10. Lexmark will see how old it is and encourage you to upgrade and if you show that you are not eager to upgrade beforehand, you will get incentives towards a new model since they will get it back when you keep buying ink.
Stephan Pringle
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