Cannot install HP 450 mobile printer

[Guest]

I bought a used HP 450 mobile printer, because the ms site said it would work
with vista.

When I do add printer, it doses not show the printer I need, only a brother
printer?

When I go to the HP site, it says the driver comes with vista, but I cannot
find it?

Can anyone help me find the driver in vista, or know of a workaround.

Thanks, Newbie cMw

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Have you tried just plugging in the printer and letting Vista detect it and
install the drivers?

 

[Guest]

Yes, I have tried that, but for some reason the only drivers that come up
when you use add printer is a list of about 4 brother drivers? Any suggestions

 

[huwyngr]

the only drivers that come up 
when you use add printer is a list of about 4 brother drivers?

There's a fix for that if I remember correctly but unfortunately I
can't remember the fix! You delete a file and let Windows re-create it.

Perhaps someone here can identify it.

Google and some looking shows that Alan Morris who is here was working
on this back in March/April and I see someone came up with this:

http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=695912&page=2

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the fix for the "Empty Printer List".

C:\windows\inf\INFCACHE.1 is most likely corrupt and should be deleted.
You will need to edit its file permissions to give Full Control to the
User Group before you will be allowed to delete it.

Credit to: Bob (of), Windows Vista Community, Hardware & Devices

I personally used this method and it works and works well. But I assume
no liability or credit.

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

There is not yet a "public" fix for this setup issue. It's not printer
related, all PnP installs are toast at this point.

I don't install non inbox drivers so I have never needed this fix.

This issue is caused by some installer applications working around an XP
problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/830552/en-us

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[huwyngr]

I'm slightly confused by your reply (so what's new <g>) since deleting
that file did work for me in populating the list of printers and it
seems to have worked for a number of others.

Perhaps you can clarify what I'm not understanding?

The link you give does say:

3. Delete the C:\Windows\INF\INFCache.1 file.

I don't install non inbox drivers so I have never needed this fix.

You would have in many cases in order to get the same set of facilities
in the device as in XP <g>

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

Yes the KB for XP says to delete this file but the group fixing this issue
says this is the wrong way to address the issue on Vista.

I find hardware that works with inbox drivers. I have spent too many hours
debugging faulty vendor drivers.

Sorry for the confusion and also thanks for contributing to this newsgroup.

If a QFE is ever released for the setup issue I will post a link to the KB
or download.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[huwyngr]

the group fixing this issue 
says this is the wrong way to address the issue on Vista.

They may be right but they haven't fixed it have they?!

And yete there's a message in this section that I just read saying
their problem was solved by deleting that file ...... and they are not
alone.

So until programmers fix it ......

I find hardware that works with inbox drivers.

That's a luxury many of us cannot afford when we have brand new
hardware like printers that only offer partial functions with the in
the box drivers.

I'm happy to contribute although I'm happier back in Compuserve (I used
to be TeamHP back when they ran a forum there) where users are staff
with moderation powers that we do not used to censor (we'd be locked
out if we did) but the crap here would go into a private folder out of
public view; it's rare to delete messages.

Apart from that being able to move a message or thread from one folder
to another is invaluable, as one can see here with the posts from
people who don't seem to see that there is a Print, Fax and Scan
folder!

 

[Guest]

Your idea worked, the printer list showed the 450 mobile printer, and it
installed it. But I had to install in as local printer on lpt 1(which I
think may be part of the problem), as it would not reconize it as a usb
printer automatically. Also it doses not show up in device manager, and will
not print a test page.

Any ideas?

 

[huwyngr]

 But I had to install in as  local printer on lpt 1

Unless you are on a network it would be a local printer?

would not reconize it as a usb printer automatically.  

Normally with USB printers you need to install software for it before you
plug the USB cable into the PC. If all else fails go to the HP website for
that printer and XP and download the XP

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?
lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=81913&prodNameId=81915&swEnvOI
D=228&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=dj-15395-3

PCL3 driver (full printing system, WHQL certified) for the hp deskjet
450ci/cbi printers 1.3 13 Aug 2004 16.7 56K: 40m 512K: 4m

Download (Save) that file, not Run, when it asks you and make a note of
where to find the file on your PC. After download and with the printer not
plugged into the PC, right mouse click on the downloaded file name and
select the Compatibility TAB, set that to XP with SP2 and check Run as
Administrator and OK your way out.

Hope that helps but first of all check the next point.

Also it does not show up in device manager,

I don't think Printers do show up in Device Manager. Look in START /
Settings / Printers (if you have Start set to Classic mode) and see if
there is an icon for the printer there. If there is right mouse click on
it and select Properties and look on the Ports TAB and see if you can
change the port from LPT to USB (may be called DOT.....)