Printer Issues

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

My mom has a All in One Printer-Scanner-Copier-an HP PSC 1401...The HP Solutions software,which guides the scanning procedure will not open...We tried to re-install the HP software but it failed.

The computer runs on Vista.

How do we get the software to work again.

Thanks in advance.

 

[StevieC]

Did this software ever work with Vista? Some printer/scanner Multi-Functions have issues with Vista that aren't fixable that is why I ask.

If it did, uninstall the printer, reboot the computer, and reinstall, then reboot again. See if it works. (Follow instructions properly)

If not call HP they have excellent support!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Did this software ever work with Vista? Some printer/scanner Multi-Functions have issues with Vista that aren't fixable that is why I ask.

If it did, uninstall the printer, reboot the computer, and reinstall, then reboot again. See if it works. (Follow instructions properly)

If not call HP they have excellent support!


Yes she tried it on Vista and it didn't work...I will call HP support.

Thanks.

 

[StevieC]

Did it ever work though? Maybe it's one of those that isn't supported...

I can connect to you remotely and try to fix it if you want.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

It worked on XP...But not on Vista...But she never tried on Vista before.

 

[StevieC]

Go to HP's website and see if there is a VISTA driver for it, if there is then it's compatible, if not then that's the problem.

If there is download the one that they have and use that to install the device it may be newer than that on your CD/DVD.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Go to HP's website and see if there is a VISTA driver for it, if there is then it's compatible, if not then that's the problem.

If there is download the one that they have and use that to install the device it may be newer than that on your CD/DVD.


OK...Will do that..Thank you.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
OK...Will do that..Thank you.


I did a bit of checking. It seems you're not the only one having problems with that setup with Vista or Windows 7. Ironically, people have been getting them to work in Linux.

HP support is really good, so if you have no luck, that's the place to go.

 

[crinkles]

i could not get my HP driver to no stall the print spooler on W7... so went back to XP. it is just ridiculous that a product can be brought out and things just aren't compatible anymoe. and yes, i tried every trick in the book to make that darn print spooler work, but within a second of fixing it it would go at fault again.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
i could not get my HP driver to no stall the print spooler on W7... so went back to XP. it is just ridiculous that a product can be brought out and things just aren't compatible anymoe. and yes, i tried every trick in the book to make that darn print spooler work, but within a second of fixing it it would go at fault again.


That's the way it seems to be going, unfortunately. People used to blast Linux for being incompatible with hardware. Everything I have has been plug and play with Linux. Vista and 7 have their share of problems right now. Even XP requires far too many driver downloads.

After all, isn't it supposed to be an operating system? Last time I checked, operating systems were supposed to allow the hardware and software to work together. Microsoft seems to have forgotten that many years ago.

 

[StevieC]

I'm hugging my MAC right now...

 

[Rick in PA]

I did a bit of work on installing a printer earlier this year. I couldn't find the driver for an old HP printer for Windows 7, so all the nice features (push button scanning, etc.) wouldn't work.

Of course a new printer from HP installed like a dream. Unfortunately, I found out the new printer has some very strict ink usage controls. When you've used up the HP ink in the HP cartridge, the printer shuts off printing from that ink cartridge. Even if the cartridge is refilled, no print. BTW, a set of new ink cartridges retails for something like $75.

I ended-up putting the old printer back on the system, it works well enough with the generic drivers and I can control the ink usage.

Curious how the system tends to drive users to newer printers (with more strict ink control features). Keep your old printers. Don't toss 'em out as soon as you get a new printer, oh wait, they gave you $50 discount for turning in your old printer at the store? Curious, eh?

 

[javacontour]

My first IT job was as a batch clerk while I was in college.

I still hate printers.

Enough about me. Good luck with your printer, both old and new.