HP Multi-function printers may not work as expected after upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

Ralf_G

OK ....will  try again.

I looked at the HP site for the  basic driver, it notes its compatible only with W2000 and XP. A few days ago I tried to download the Vista HP software ....someone told me it would work...my recollection is ...it wouldn't load (or install)  due to non compatible OS.

Thank you for you assistance.

Ralf_G

In summary ....no success. Let me note some of the details:

First steps

• I uninstalled all the HP Solution Center software, restart, delete the device  HP AIO C6150. At HP.com download the HP Solution Center software, I was unable to see "driver only" software for  my C6150 AIO
• I checked my user status (click on the icon on the top right of the start menu) and it reads on two lines "Owner" and the 2nd line  "Administrator".
• Install the HP Solution Center ,find the printer via its wireless connection, set up the printer

Ah but this is not equal to what I was suggesting you do. "Run as administrator" uses a higher level of permissions than your logon account has when it runs the installation file. Logging in to the hidden built in administrator account enables the highest level of permissions you can access, allowing alterations to pretty much any setting or file location in Windows.  

The driver download page mentions the drivers-only download in the Description but doesn't provide a link:

 "If you only want the print driver (without the Photosmart Software Suite), it is available as a separate download named "HP Photosmart Basic Driver".

Running a search for it turns up pages of spurious links but this one might be relevant:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=mp-41971-2&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=1153491

Ralf_G

In summary ....no success. Let me note some of the details:

First steps

• I uninstalled all the HP Solution Center software, restart, delete the device  HP AIO C6150. At HP.com download the HP Solution Center software, I was unable to see "driver only" software for  my C6150 AIO
• I checked my user status (click on the icon on the top right of the start menu) and it reads on two lines "Owner" and the 2nd line  "Administrator".
• Install the HP Solution Center ,find the printer via its wireless connection, set up the printer
• Try and print from Tbird and Word...no success.

Now I looked at the event screen and found the following activity for today March 4:

• Event 10        Error    3/4/2010 7:24:10 AM    WMI    10    None
• Event 13         Error    3/4/2010 7:17:09 AM    ACPI    13    None
• Event  315         Error    3/4/2010 7:23:30 AM    PrintService    315    Sharing a printer
• Event 372      Error    3/4/2010 7:49:38 AM    PrintService    372    Printing a document
• Event 1001   Error    3/4/2010 7:25:26 AM    Dhcp-Client    1001    Address Configuration State Event

I can send more data re these "events" if would help.

Lymob53,

It certainly does seem that the driver is not installing properly. Possibly in the print spooler section, which somewhat matches your symptom of the print job suddenly disappearing. On the download page for that HP driver-utilities package they mention a printer driver-only download. To simplify things it might be worth a try installing just the printer driver and leaving out the accessories. Normal print functions should work, just not the HP extras. Run the installer using the "run as administrator" option from Explorer's right-click menu options. (can do that with the full install package too for that matter)

If that still doesn't work the only other thing I can think of (this printer and driver ARE supposed to be Win7 compatible after all) is to enable the hidden administrator account in Windows 7, log into it and then try installing the printer drivers (clean install again).

To enable the build-in Administrator account, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. In the search results list, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.
3. When you are prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. An elevated command window should now open.
4. At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes, and then press ENTER. 
5. Type net user administrator <Password>, and then press ENTER.

Note: Please replace the <Password> tag with your password which you want to set to administrator account.

6. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
7. Log off the current user account.

You can log into the administrator account using whatever password you entered above.  Install the printer drivers and test. When finished, log-out of the administrator account and back into your normal user account.

Don't leave this administrator account enabled for normal everyday use.  Run the following command (in an elevated command window as previously described) to disable the Administrator account.

net user administrator /active:no