hp printer problem on windows vista

[natch]

hello does anyone know why my printer which is a hp c series wont work on
windows vista home premium,

when you are asked to plug it in its says device unknown in a ballon in the
taskbar and there is no way around this i have tried this without the cd and
everything and tried using there website to install the printer, the printer
is connect via usb 2
straight into the usb port on the back of the computer, anything else i try
to plug in works

and i have had no help so far if anyone out there could save my life please
im sending out an sos

nath

 

[Mick Murphy]

You have to go to HP's website and see if there is a Vista compatible Driver
for that particular model printer that you have.

If there is, download the Driver, and SAVE it to your Desktop.
Follow the install instructions tha came with your printer as to whether you
install the driver., or the printer, 1st.

 

[Joanlee]

I've been in my pj's all day trying to fix this. Called HP and they said it's
because of the Microsoft Installer, not having the right path in the
registry. I'm SO SICK of Vista, I could puke. I wish I had my old system
back. If you can find an answer, let me know. So far I have an email in to HP
to see if there's an answer. I've been on the phone, all over the websites,
etc. No one has an answer for me. I can't even install the software!! The
reason I got the new printer is because the old one wouldn't work with
Vista!! God. what a mess. I have Home Basic with a C4280 all in one. Good
luck.

 

[Jotave]

I have spent about three hours with HP tech support, I have an HP PSC 2110
All-in-one printer, which was working fine when using an XP running computer
(I also just purchased an HP Pavilion laptop in which I cannot add the HP
printer). It appears that Vista does not recognize the USB port using the HP
printer. HP says that the problem is with the operating system, which I fully
agree. I have uninstalled the USB controllers, re-installed them, added the
printer a number of times, Vista still does not recognize the printer, the
software that came with the printer does not support Vista, and the HP
website does not list any drivers for Vista, they claim that the drivers
already come with the Vista computer. Microsoft insists its the printer
manufacturer that supports the drivers. They are both right, but by now
(March 2008) they should have figured a "fix" to this problem. The issue is
that the "add a printer Wizard" does not offer the option for a USB port
(only LPT1, or COM1), this means that Microsoft did not add the USB port
option to Vista, since I just purchase this "Vista" computer a couple of days
ago I have not found the "fix". If anyone has the fix please let mi know.

 

[CAstangs]

I was able to get VIsta to see the HP PSC 2110 (the same one you have) by
simply plugging it into an available USB port. Actually, I did swap my mouse
(originally plugged into the top row on the back of my Dell XPS) and printer
(I initially put it in the bottom row of USB ports). I dont' know if it
helped but I oculd see it in my printers folder. I did download the latest
drivers from HP for it - and it gives you a program called HP Photosmart
Essential 2.10. Basically it's a library for your photos - the printing part
sucks and won't recognize the printer even though it's clearly installed on
your system (control panel -> printers). No help from HP or Microsoft on that
one.

But, once you can see the printer in your printers folder, Windows Fax and
Scan (from the start menu) allows you to use the scanner. Then edit (crop)
any photos in the Windows Photo Gallery (or whatever editor you prefer to
use).

Now, if you really like the program "HP Album Printing" there is a way to
make it work on Vista. If you bought a new computer, COPY the folder
Hewlett-Packard (yes, all of it - it's about 300 MB) from the Progam Files on
your old computer and put it in the Program File folder on your new computer
(I used a flash drive to get it there). If you just upgraded, it's probably
still there. I went to [Program Files > Hewlett-Packard > Digital Imaging >
Album and sent a shortcut to the desktop for the application file "hpqaprnt"
- if it says it can't run because you are missing a dll file, just copy that
file from the "bin" folder (also under Digital Imaging) to the "Album" folder
and it will work just fine.

I'm still working on a bypass for the program director but at least I can
use my scanner. And I'm totally with you on Vista - IT SUCKS!