why ist so complex to install USB printer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Otto Sykora
  • Start date Start date
If you install the printer by installing
the software, then shutting down the computer, plug the printer into
it, then power the printer up, followed by booting the PC, it will
auto
detect the printer when it reboots.
I have installed probably hundreds of USB printers on various PC's and
laptops and have never had a problem with that method.
<

negative, this does not work unfortunately, for neither the 2575 nor
the psc1200 on w2k or xp. After number of tryings , it works on w98
and immediately without any software etc it works on linux with kernel
2.6xxx and also 2.4xx.

Installing the software? How? To insert the CD , it tries to install
some 1.1gb of something, comint to a point where it tries to detect
the printer. But nothing will happen further more, no printer is
detected this way.

On rebooting the PC, yes printer is found by windows, but windows own
drivers will overwrite this time everything what was installed
previously, windows insists on installing drivers from its drivers cab
file.

After that , printer looks installed, is present in the list of
printers, it says operational, but when it comes to print a testpage
or what ever, error saying that two way comunication with the printer
is not present.

Trying to uninstall the software from HP fails, since the uninstal
script contains only abt half of the things it did install. So the
rest would have to be removed manualy. Possible, did that as far as it
was possible, but one can not give here guarantee that all was removed
completely.

So what dod you do when at the end of the installation of the 1.1gb of
something it tells you now connect the usb cable, and then waiting ,
waiting and nothing happends? Connection is never made.
So next?
 
do a custom installation. or use the control panel and install the
driver from there. when it asks you to supply a location for the
driver
submit the location of the CD.<

custom installation, well have no idea how in this case


use control panel: ok, sure tried this, but when it asks for driver
location and enter the CD drive, it searches the whole CD, does not
find anything on it (the drivers are accessible only by the software
on the CD, not by windows only) and will end up deciding it did not
find any driver there and has to use the one from windows cab file.

The windows driver will however not be able to operate the printer.

Same storry with the HP2575 and HP PSC1200 BTW

after long trying managed to runn on w98, but no luck on w2k or xp


no problems on linux kernel 2.6xx or 2.4xx with hpijs installed.
 
Trying to uninstall the software from HP fails, since the uninstall
script contains only abt half of the things it did install.
Click to expand...

The moral of the story being not to install things without a good
uninstaller (restore points are rubbish, they don't remove
everything). Better still start with a Ghost system backup.

Like you install a time limited trial, it expires, restore to a restore
point, reinstall, and it is still expired. Not so with a decent
uninstaller. Installshield lets the developer choose what to
leave behind when you click uninstall. The other problem
being applications that replace system files with their own,
buggy, version.
 
negativ:

I did indeed install the drivers before I connected the device, even I
am not sure why this is so, but I followed the manual.

Despite of that, the win did install number of other drivers after
first reboot, so all the preinstallation did not help.

Also I am just curious how one is supposed to install the driver
before the device is connected. The drivers seem not to be avaiable in
some normal form as folders with inf files on the CD. The installation
can be done only by installing 1.1gb of software first apparently,
this software then at some time during the installation process seems
to try to install the drivers.
Tried also on one system to uninstall the software, this is not
possible, the uninstall script is clearing only abt the half of the
installed software. The rest has to be done manualy. It engineer of
our company spent abt 2-3hr to clear all.


So how can the drivers be installed in advance? Any idea?
Even if the software is installed, win will install its own drivers
which however will not work with the printer. Next step?
Click to expand...
Someone else here gave you a link to the download site for the software. It is
possible that your CD is either bad or inappropriate for your hardware.

I have had installation CDs have bad software on them.

There are some bizarre conflicts with USB hardware, primarily non-intel chipsets
that cause some devices not to work properly. My recommendation to check the hp
site for any reports of such was not a bad idea. Add to that searching usenet
archives for that model printer and see if others report the same difficulty. I
have a friend who installed a USB wireless Logitech KB/mouse. Logitech usually
installs problem free but his motherboard uses a chipset that has a known
problem with this device (not known to him in advance though) KB was
intermittent in function. No fix known. He reports noticing a number of
chipset/device problems while he searched. Perhaps you will find some
information to shed some light on your dilemma.

At least download and try the newest driver.
 
OK to be honest, after I gave up temporary the installation of this
device, I have played back my last driveimage of the system partition.
So far OK, I know the rests are definitely gone now.
 
Someone else here gave you a link to the download site for the software. It is
possible that your CD is either bad or inappropriate for your
hardware.

I have had installation CDs have bad software on them.<


have checked the file on the website. At work, with fast connection,
downloaded the software, put it on CD , tried to install, same as with
the original.

The USB hardware problem, well can be, but:
one system is tripple boot system with w98se, w2k and linux toshiba
laptop
the other one is a dell desktop (intel stuff inside) and xp and linux

installation of the supplied software is slow and complex , but
possible on w98se (??!!??) but not possible on either w2k or xp.

No very special software needed on linux, appart from hpijs files,
which are however included in most distros.

The comments what all error msg could seldom occure on HP websites did
occure ALL in my case.
Remedy in half of the cases according to HP: contact MS and reinstall
your OS since it is now broken.
 
Thanks Dave:

I am using exactly this file to operate the printer via LAN cable now.
It is very basic, fine, it is so basic that even the button for
'maintenance' in the printer driver will not give any infos out, since
the commands for inklevel and head cleaning commands seem not to be
included. But I do not need this anyway.
This driver will not connect the printer under USB anyway, only under
LAN. Neither in w2k nor in xp.
 
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