Printer Install Woes...again...

Well, you may wish to look at my prior posts (from months ago) and you will see that this is not my first time at THIS particular rodeo ...

I've gone without a printer on this (10 month old) Dell with Vista (Home Basic), as the first two I tried (one, a second-hand Lexmark 1100X-series - the other, some darned European printer) would not work for me.

Now, with the oldest, simplest - most BASIC printer I have left lying around (an HP 656c), Vista is telling me it 'can wipe (the original, from HP) Install CD clean, and burn another right over top of the old one'. You all may find this hard to believe, but I have NEVER "burned" a CD before. Does this (procedure) sound right? I was getting error messages before when trying to install the other printers RE: the 'Spooler Service not running' - and was getting that same message via some of the routes I have attempted with this install, but not when I follow the instructions from HP's website (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00808478&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=61278 - please see copy/pasted "link" above or copy/pasted web-page below), but what it does tell me is that, basically, 'Vista can handle it' ...?

I am basically needing to know if this sounds correct (please see "link" above or the copy/paste web-page below from HP):


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Installing and Configuring a Compatible Driver in Windows Vista

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Content starts here

Introduction
An compatible driver solution is included in your Windows Vista Operating system and is already on your computer. There is no need to download anything.
This driver makes it possible to use the basic functions for the printer. There will not be a full-feature Windows Vista driver solution for your product.
Installing and configuring a compatible driver
Follow the steps below to install the driver that is compatible with your product.
Step one: Determine the appropriate compatible driver
Determine the driver that is compatible with your printer.
Product Alternate driver
Deskjet 3320, 3420, and 3520 Deskjet 3500
Photosmart 7600 series Deskjet 5600
Deskjet 5850 Deskjet 5600
Photosmart 130 and 230 Photosmart 330
Photosmart 145 and 245 Photosmart 330
Photosmart 7350 and 7550 Deskjet 5550
Deskjet 6122 and 6127 Deskjet 990c
Deskjet 3816 and 3820 Deskjet 970cse
Deskjet 656 Deskjet 660c
Step two: Install the driver

1.
Verify that the Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable is not connected to the printer.
2.
Click the Windows icon ( ), click Control Panel , click Hardware & Sounds , and then click Printers .
3.
Click Add a printer .
4.
Click Add a local printer .
5.
Select the Use an existing port check box.
6.
In the Use an existing port drop-down list, select LPT1: (Printer Port) , and then click Next .
7.
Under Manufacturer on the Install the printer driver dialog box, select HP .
8.
Under Printers , select the appropriate alternate driver for the printer, and then click Next .
9.
In the Printer name text box, type the printer name, and then click Next . The printer driver starts to install.
NOTE: The name of the alternate driver displays as the default name. Change this name to the name of your printer, if desired.
10.
After the computer displays a message that the printer was successfully added, connect the USB cable to the printer and to the computer.
11.
On the Found New Hardware screen, click Cancel .
NOTE: If multiple pop-up windows display, click Cancel on each window.

Step three: Configure the driver

1.
In the printer folder, right-click the name of the printer, and then click Properties .
2.
Click the Ports tab.
3.
Change the port from LPT1 to USB or DOT4 , as indicated in the table below.
Product USB port DOT 4 port
Deskjet 3320, 3420, and 3520 Yes No
Photosmart 7660 Yes No
Deskjet 5850 Yes No
Photosmart 130 and 230 No Yes
Photosmart 145 and 245 Yes No
Photosmart 7350 and 7550 No Yes
Deskjet 6122 and 6127 Yes No
Deskjet 3816 and 3820 Yes No
Deskjet 656 Yes No
4.
Click Apply .

Step four: Print a test page

1.
Click the General tab.
2.
Click Print Test Page .






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Request to remove post

I took the liberty of re-posting this in "hardware" where it should have been posted in the first place and which I did not realize until I was headed for my pillow last night.

I'm simply accustomed to always selecting the "Software Forum" when I visit MG's ...

Thanks in advance,
g.

 

''An compatible driver solution is included in your Windows Vista Operating system and is already on your computer. There is no need to download anything''.

Sounds like Vista can handle it. Had an ancient 3740hp (if memory serves me) and Vista picked it up. XP required the driver to be installed as usual.
Does it detect the new hardware and search for the compatible driver when you plug in and power up the printer.
Edit to add:-You may need to go to step two and three in the link you provided to add the printer and configure the driver.Although in my case all I did was power up the printer...Cheers....

 

Ok, thanks for the reply ...

Vista DOES "detect", and it "searches", but it doesn't seem to be able to find a driver (I'll try to dig-up the exact message and post it back here).

I'll go to steps 2 & 3 as per your suggestion - but it may be a bit later today/this evening - thanks again!

 

Re: Printer Install woes...once again...

I read the first part of your post, and skipped the rest. Sorry if I missed anything.

"Vista is telling me it 'can wipe (the original, from HP) Install CD clean, and burn another right over top of the old one'." - The disk you got from HP for your printer is not re-writable. It is burned on and can not/should not be erased. Besides the point the printer installation process should not require the driver be on a CD.

'Spooler Service not running' - Windows is comprised of a collection of services that manage it's different functions. Without the spooler service, Windows cannot print and perform other printer related tasks. You should open a run prompt (hold windows key and press 'r'), type in [services.msc] and then press enter. This should open the services windows, and you can scroll down and find print spooler. It should be set to automatic. If not, right click, click on properties and there should be an option to set it to automatic. After that, click start, or restart your computer.

Also, have you checked the device manager to make sure the drivers are installed correctly.

 

ok, I believe it must be one of the "Services" in Windows that I have disabled that the "Print Spooler is a "dependency" of. The print spooler is on (set to) "Automatic" there, now I think (hope) just need to figure-out which other service is disabled, that the print spooler needs ... any suggestions?

Thanks,
g ...

 

Thank you (and BV is the site I used for reference originally - so I should be "good" in that respect).

I guess I'm wanting to be lazy (as I so often seem wont to be!), and wondering if there is some sort of (any?) shortcut(s)" aside from going down the list "service-by-service"?

Or is that simply wishful "dreaming"?

Thanks again,
Glenn ...

 

Re: Printer Install woes...once again...

Thanks, but under what heading/listing (in Device Manager) will I find this driver, please?

Thanks,
g ...