Can't access my printer

[ksl]

The problem is most definately, the driver is not loaded correctly! Probably because you connected the USB cable, and then loaded the software. You must first delete the software.

Go to settings click on control panel, click on add or remove software.
look for the hp printers and delete both, restart your system.

Make sure your printer USB cable is disconnected!
Now insert the hp cd and install the software and driver for the printer, carefully make sure the driver gets installed, by right clicking the mouse on my computer, chose properties, then chose hardware. then device manager. scroll down to ports If there is a yellow exclamation mark click on the cross +, doubleclick on communication port and note the driver details. you can try to update from here if there is a yellow exclamation mark, click update and get the driver from the CD. if there is no yellow exclamation mark, the the driver loaded ok in the beginning.

So you can just plug in the printer USB cable, and it should locate the driver.

The wireless will not effect the USB printer port or cable, although it is possible the printer USB port is switched off in the BIOS,, but I presume not, becuase you have been using another printer on this laptop right?

[ria3n]

u didnt say which printer model , or else u like to try hp homepage ..for solutions

[ozchick]

Power on the printer. Now plug in your printer.
Windows should recognise your printer and a pop up will appear in the bottom righthand side of you screen saying "new device found " or similar.

All was going swimmingly until I plugged in the printer and no pop up appeared.
The printer has been uninstalled and is 'on' and and connected to lap-top.....mm...not giving up.
OK Is this correct
1. The printer needs only to be coonected to a correct usb-port and turned on.

[bigfilsing]

we dont give up either.

Dont give up. Although you don;t realise it you are learning!! albeit the hard way.

Yes ...all you need is a cable from your printer to a usb port.
( you might have a bad cable or even a bad printer but unlikely)

1/ Disconnect the printer
2/ go to CONTROL PANEL> PRINTERS/FAXES
3/ Delete the HP printer ( would help if you listed what you see in the printers folder!!!)
4/ Go to control panel ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS and uninstall anything with HP in the title. There may be a couple of things utilitys etc
5/ Shut down your PC lap top then restart
6/ go back to the folders as above and check that all the items have indeed gone! If not delete again.
7/ Turn off any anti virus or spy ware programs
8/ once your happy the PC is running OK power on the printer ( let it initialise) for a few seconds ( wait till all the noise stops)
9/ now plug in the printer to a USB port. If a pop up doesn;t appear then try another USB port ( you should have at least 2 on a lap top.
10/ it will look for drivers and you should be able to specify where from.
11/ put in the HP CD and "point" the pop up at it. click OK

Let us know how you get on ...the more you tell us the easier it is to help.

Dont forget to switch you anti virus back on!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck

[Asian_Geekette]

ozchick,

After following bigfilsing's instructions above, how's your printer now?

[ksl]

I guess it would be easier to let bigfilsing, get into your computer to have a look through the remote feature! Just make sure you are dressed! You know what these Brits are like

[ozchick]

ksl I think there was a yellow exclamation mark and I got lost in the whole process at that stage. One thing before I follow your latest instructions above-
When I go to 'file' then 'print' on dropdown menu, everything looks normal, (HP Deskjet D2400series) with a little white tick in black circle next to it), page range, number of copies etc.......
But since it won't print I've tried clicking on that same window's 'Find Printer' option which brings down another window called CONNECT TO PRINTER . Here there is an empty space next to printer's name.

On that same window, in the box below 'Shared printers' there is a highlighted listing of 'Microsoft Windows Network '. This isn't right methinks. Can someone let me know before I uninstall for my 3rd installation effort ? Is anyone tired of me yet ? I am !

[ozchick]

OK bigfilsing, this anti virus stuff was mentioned several times in the 'hp help info' but I don't know where to find it to close it down- ooh don't be angry.... and yes there are 2 usb ports and I've tried them both but will have another go at your instructions above. If I can't close down anti-virus gear I'll try star-hub, sometimes they are happy to do more than is required if one gets a 'happy type'....

[ozchick]

Yes bigfilsing- I am learning- I've just discoverd that my firewall protection was already OFF !
Now I'm searching for the Norton antivirus thingo cos I've seen it on my travels here somewhere.....he he...

[ozchick]

Found Norton Anti-virus but can't see how to turn it off. Going ahead with your 11 point lesson above !

[ksl]

Found Norton Anti-virus but can't see how to turn it off. Going ahead with your 11 point lesson above !

I have just found out, you need to use your CD to activate the scrubber utility, to delete the corrupt printer driver, this series of printer, you need to follow the instructions or it will not load correctly.

You do not plug in the USB when you have restarted the computer, you wait until you are told, to connect the USB, by the software.

Here is the link for the series, although to be exact, you need the model number of the printer, because there are 3 printers in the 2400 series

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docu ... 10&lang=en

Printer software to be installed first! When the software is installing it will tell you exactly when to plug in the USB cable.

Ensure you use the scrubber utility on the CD to clean away the corrupt file, because the add/remove button of XP OS cannot remove the corrupt file.

All good engineers follow the book othewise its like looking for a needle in a haystack! It appears the port gets blocked by a corrupt file and cannot be freed, by removing the printer software with the add/remove button.

The file gets corrupted because you plug in the USB before you are told too! That makes a yellow exclamation mark in the device setting.

It is a plug & play printer, but you still have to follow the software instruction and wait until you are told to PLUG IN

Like my wife normally says, your too quick! So I always pick up the book and follow the instructions and it works a treat!

[ozchick]

Have just attempted 4th printer installation and got to the bit where it takes several minutes to install (yeah that was about 45 minutes ago. It seems to have stalled in the process and I can't click on 'next' or 'back' or 'cancel' !! Is my only option to close up and tryall over again ? Or is there some other way to 'kick start it again' from where it has permanently paused - aghhhhhhh !

[ozchick]

Info above great thanks KSL. Please to say that after 40 mins the 'installation' has kicked in again and is trying to finish....dear Lord - save me from computers and other technological pains......(sighs and checks the apparent hang on - whoo hoo-it says it's finished and thanks for purchasing their product - BUT - a quick look at 'print' options says that I need to install a printer - I'm trying not to cry now but even a tough ozchick can only take so much.......

[ozchick]

Thank you KSL ! I AM PRINTING ! Not sure how this all worked in the end. My last post was followed by me turning the computer off in a huff ! But an hour later when I turned it on there was a message saying that the computer was recognising some hardware and would I like it to be installed ?! Was THAT the best message I ever did see ?From there it was a home run....
And yeah BIGFILSING I've learned a lot about what's on my computer - I even found out how to turn off the wireless !! He he ......and
I've saved $65 big ones !
Cannot thank you guys enough !
And KSL- Tell your wife that since I can't personally repay you, she (on behalf our mutual gender) should feek free to act in proxy ! He he he !

[ozchick]

(Feek?! Try FEEL)
Now all I need are some typing lessons