Printer driver install error

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dick Ballard
  • Start date Start date
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Dick Ballard

Added HP 5150 Printer to new HP a350n system (P4 2.8 GHz, 512M memory,
160G HDD) running Windows XP. Printer automatically installed by
system and works ok. Then tried to install latest driver, both from
downloaded 9.4.2.0 file (5100_enu_win2k_xp.exe) from HP web site, and
from disk included with printer (version 9.4.2). In both cases
installation failed. New driver is for XP.

One failure (from downloaded file) produced an error and said to
reinstall. The second attempt produced a "Looking for New Hardware"
box which persisted for 2 hours and never cleared. "Cancel" was grayed
out. I had to end with task manager.

The next failure (from the CD) produced Error 2870 "CI_COMPONENTS,
HELP PB,***IS_STRING_NOT_DEFINED***". Installation aborted. This error
occurred just after selection of standard or custom install.

Oddly, printer is still working ok (as far as I can tell), but I can't
get updated driver installed. I have disabled NAV, and printer is not
connected during install. (I've tried it with printer connected - no
difference.)

How do I find out what version driver is in there now? And since I had
to CTRL-ALT-DEL/End Task in the first instance, what remnants may
still be there to cause problems later? And I still want to be able to
install future updates.

Dick Ballard
(e-mail address removed)
 
As I stated:

"...and printer is not connected during install. (I've tried it with
printer connected - no difference.)"

To restate, in each instance I ran the updates (both versions) with
the printer initially disconnected and the install failed as noted.

At this point I am concerned that either the updates or the installer
are faulty and that if I uninstall I won't be able to get anything
else installed. Right now the automatically installed version is
functioning.

I also need to know how to determine the installed printer driver
version. I have not been able to find this information by any of the
usual paths - device manager or printer properties. I don't even know
for sure if the CD driver or the downloaded one (both 9.4.2) are any
newer than what is already there.

Dick Ballard
(e-mail address removed)
 
Append to my last post:

I also note that the installer provides the option to upgrade the
driver even though an existing driver has been detected. This appears
to be a normal function of the installer. Why then the need to
uninstall before upgrading?

Dick Ballard
(e-mail address removed)
 
Are you sure your USB ports are working correctly? And the cable is known
good?
Click to expand...

As I stated in first post:

"Oddly, printer is still working ok (as far as I can tell), but I
can't get updated driver installed."

I have printed several items. I must therefore assume cable and USB
are ok. I am only concerned that I cannot determine current driver
version and cannot update driver if needed.

Again, how do I determine current driver version?

Dick Ballard
(e-mail address removed)
 
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