Missing INF folder whe installing a printer

[Guest]

Hi,

I was trying to install an HP Laser printer as a local printer and ran into
problems. It is a new printer and we have purchased them in the past and they
work fine. I have tried different ways of installing it but I keep getting
an error message that says "There was a problem installing this hardware.
The driver installation file for this device is missing a necessary entry.
This may be because the INF file was written for windows 95. I am installing
this on a three year old DELL desktop running Windows XP. Can someone help?

Thanks,

 

[Guest]

what is the model number and what port on the computer are you connecting it
to?

 

[Ghostrider]

Hi,

I was trying to install an HP Laser printer as a local printer and ran into
problems. It is a new printer and we have purchased them in the past and they
work fine. I have tried different ways of installing it but I keep getting
an error message that says "There was a problem installing this hardware.
The driver installation file for this device is missing a necessary entry.
This may be because the INF file was written for windows 95. I am installing
this on a three year old DELL desktop running Windows XP. Can someone help?

Thanks,

If the printer file was originally written for Windows 95 and
the Windows XP installation cdrom does not have a current driver
in the \windows\inf folder or in the i386 folder of the cdrom,
then go to hp.com and download the driver files from there.
Expand and copy to a floppy diskette or to a known location on
the HD. Point the wizard to its location.

Just what HP printer is this? It isn't listed in the install
drivers dialog box?

 

[Guest]

It is a Dell Opti Plex GX260. When I first tried to install the software I
followed HP's directions and simply installed the softare and then used the
CD. It didn't specify a particular port when I did this and it didn't when I
was using the add a printer wizard or add hardware wizard. I later tried the
method of adding it manually and selected a USB port. It is a usb
connection. I called HP tech support and they confirmed that the INF
folder was missing. This folder apparently has some sort of file in it that
is needed here.

Thanks,

 

[Guest]

well, is the actual printer connected then?

If they provided you a CD with the install package, they include the
required .inf file, which is the actual driver.

As far as the folder being missing, be sure that the folder is just not
hidden. By default, windows has it hidden, so people do not mistakenly
delete it.

To verify, open your windows explorer, select TOOLS/OPTIONS and select the
VIEW TAB. You will see an option to "Show Hidden Files and Folders". Check
it and select the button at the top to apply to all folders.

Close windows explorer and open it again and see if the INF folder is there.
The path should be C:\WINDOWS\inf

 

[James]

Head over to this page
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html?pageDisplay=drivers and
type in your printer model. Download the latest driver for XP.

 

[alfredu2]

Chuck,

What ended up being your fix here. I am have the exact same issue.

Thanks! Eric