Wed Oct 10, 2012, 01:21 PM

Can you help this old timer?

My old HP PC with windows XP bit the dust. After many problems, my computer Guru told me this was about to happen and installed a laptop (networked) that has Windows 7. He backed up everything for me.
I really do not like Windows 7. That aside, I need to install my HP printer for this machine.
Have tried several times with no results. What am I doing wrong? Have the disk. Is it not possible to install a printer without the 'main' PC?

My Guru is looking for a good, used PC with XP sp3 . I told him I don't care about the 'no support after 2014". I may be pushing up
daises by then. Any help would be appreciated.

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9 replies	Author	Time	Post
Can you help this old timer? (Original post)	Paper Roses	Oct 2012	OP
printer drivers may need to be updated.	Soylent Brice	Oct 2012	#1
Hi, THnaks for your question.	Paper Roses	Oct 2012	#3
TY! for the model number	Sentath	Oct 2012	#5
Hi, tried your instructions, no luck,	Paper Roses	Oct 2012	#8
We have an old HP printer. When I plugged it in, I needed drivers...	Phentex	Oct 2012	#2
HP had a major problem with Win7 drivers for older printers.	hobbit709	Oct 2012	#4
Try using the default drivers	guardian	Oct 2012	#6
I recently installed an HP printer on Win7	gvstn	Oct 2012	#7
I just upgraded to Win 7	Worried senior	Oct 2012	#9

Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 01:32 PM

Soylent Brice (8,132 posts)

1. printer drivers may need to be updated.

What kind of printer is it?

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Response to Soylent Brice (Reply #1)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 02:12 PM

Paper Roses (4,609 posts)

3. Hi, THnaks for your question.

Last edited Wed Oct 10, 2012, 06:49 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

The printer is a PCS all in one HP Deskjet, printer, copier, scanner. F4180. I was lost on the HP website.

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Response to Paper Roses (Reply #3)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 04:48 PM

Sentath (1,532 posts)

5. TY! for the model number

That made it so I could find http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=al-74809-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4062&product=3177566&sw_lang=

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Response to Sentath (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 03:48 PM

Paper Roses (4,609 posts)

8. Hi, tried your instructions, no luck,

Updated drivers, then tried to install printer. Twice the printer started to make noise, orange error lights flashing. Removed printer(add/remove)r and tried again. No flashing third time. I thought all was well until I tried to copy something I wrote. Error messages from the printer. I give up for today. I am not computer literate and anything beyond your instructions throw me for a loop.
Maybe tomorrow I'll try again. Part of my problem is terminology. I had the option of troubleshooting the problem but am too tired now
Tomorrow is another day. I'll try again

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Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 02:01 PM

Phentex (8,039 posts)

2. We have an old HP printer. When I plugged it in, I needed drivers...

I was able to google the printer and go directly to HP to install it. I don't have any disks but was able to get what I needed so I could print and scan from the new laptop.

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Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 03:20 PM

hobbit709 (26,488 posts)

4. HP had a major problem with Win7 drivers for older printers.

As far as the laptop goes, depending on which make and model there may be XP drivers for all the hardware on it and I'd just wipe 7 and install XP instead. I've done that to several machines.

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Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 07:46 PM

guardian (2,282 posts)

6. Try using the default drivers

Try installing the printer and using a Windows 7 default printer driver. When you go to install the printer and it asks say that you do NOT have a disk. Windows should make a guess at which driver to use. I also think it has some 'generic' printer driver. Try that.

Regarding finding an old PC with XP....try Craigslist.org. I see old systems for sale all the time. XP was a good OS, but I like Win7 better myself. Also you might find a newer printer for peanuts on Craigslist that works with Win7. People sell them all the time.

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Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 07:54 PM

gvstn (795 posts)

7. I recently installed an HP printer on Win7

I just wanted basic drivers for an old printer.

Try plugging the printer in. If drivers aren't automatically installed then go to Start and type wu into the Search box and hit <enter>. Windows update will start. Have it check for updates then click the blue link for optional updates. It should have found a driver for your HP in the list. Tick the box and let it install.

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Response to Paper Roses (Original post)

Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:16 PM

Worried senior (549 posts)

9. I just upgraded to Win 7

it has been a challenge but think I'm getting there.

I had to re-install the HP 932C Deskjet printer and Cannon scanner. Had to unplug the printer, shut off the computer and then re-plugged the printer in. It found the drivers for both devices just fine, the only issue I have is that we had a toolbox on the printer program that you could clean, test and see the ink level left in the cartridges. Windows 7 doesn't support that feature anymore. I'll survive but really miss that feature.

I am not about to buy a new printer unless I have absolutely no choice.

Not all improvements are great.

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