What's with HP printers?

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

They take over your computer, worse than a virus; don't half work: eat memory.

Bought three computers for my father-in-law's business and they all have problems..and the Kodak one is trash also.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

If you are not using the "Enterprise" version software for HP or any other well known appliance, I think that is what will happen.  Otherwise, leave the included software out of the mix, Windows should recognise most any known printer and use generic drivers which work sometimes even better than the 'Branded" software.
 

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

In basic instilation, HP didnt let me choose and I got a number of error messages when I deleted the photo monster.  I don't think we can afford the enterprise software for these, If I understand it right.  Kodak is just krudak

[Raidien{MEOW}]

You shouldn't need to install from cd... windows should have JUST the print drivers, and not the included garbage.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

I bet you guys are assuming Windows 7, huh?  We are still in the dark ages with XP Pro.  The economy is tough and funds are not available for upgrade to 7.   I tried to let XP look for the drivers but it couldnt find them.  I am still digging into this.
I got a $40 dollar Canon all in one from wallmart and it works like a charm, lets you decide on what garbage you want or not and prints faster.  I may get some more of these even if I have to use my own money.

These HPs wont cancel a print job.  . it says canceling and it never does.  A blank screen shows up every time you boot or print a job. I am assuming its the control panel and it wont work unless its online.  Since we have a client software where they keep up with renters, its important not to be online. Although today i put the main one on the DSL and searched  for some kinda relief on the drivers. We connect every so often to update the XP and software.

My father in law joked and said I was the 'computer person'..I told him "boy are you in trouble"./

Honestly, I have used HPs before and they were okay, they were higher-end printes, however.  I have always thought they put too much gradue on the systems high-end or not.  I bought these because they were on sale and cheap.  Epic Fail

[Raidien{MEOW}]

what model printer do you have?

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

what model printer do you have?

D-1660

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

I can't stand their software as well.  Look on HP's site.  They should have a basic driver for download that doesn't include the software.

[Jugulator*{MEOW}*]

I made the mistake of buying some cheap hp printers too, they all went bad about 1 day after the warranty expired.
But if you buy middle of the road hp's they should give good performance and reliability. they should install easily from disk as well.
I have bought lots of them, and brothers also, but one of the brothers crinckles paper.
you might consider shoving those cheap hps up walmarts @**
or wherever else you bought them.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

I bet you guys are assuming Windows 7, huh?  .....

No, I was thinking XP, that is my experience XP is very good at finding the gen. drivers.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

I guess I live in a hole.. I haven't had that experience.

[Raidien{MEOW}]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=al-72169-3&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&os=228&product=3811075&sw_lang=

just the base drivers for your model, doesn't include the software crap that comes with it... be sure to uninstall all the HP and Hewlett Packard software first from add/remove, and then go to start > run devmgmt.msc and uninstall the USB Printing Support and any HP Printer drivers you see in there... then run the installer

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=al-72169-3&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&os=228&product=3811075&sw_lang=

just the base drivers for your model, doesn't include the software crap that comes with it... be sure to uninstall all the HP and Hewlett Packard software first from add/remove, and then go to start > run devmgmt.msc and uninstall the USB Printing Support and any HP Printer drivers you see in there... then run the installer

You are a doll. Thanks. I was wading through all "driver hunters" that wanted to install themselves on our computer then ask for money.  I had given up.   Thanks Raid.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

Epilogue

Well Raid, those drivers are working like a charm. The old drivers delivered one last hit, however.... when I deleted them it killed the file sharing on our little network and nothing worked.  Had to get our network guy to come put the IPs back in.  sigh.  

Thanks again.

[Felix*{MEOW}*]

Ever since HP and Canon parted ways HP has really gone to Crap over the years all HP stuff was really Canon.
Evey, If you don't need Color. There are allot of older Great Hp Laserjets out there that are work horses for cheep that have a 750K to 1mill service life every 150K you install a maintenance kit.  
HP 4000, 4050, 4100 and a few others . toner yield on the models mentioned are 10K  you can get for around 40.00 or if you need a MFP Look in to Canon.
Ultra has i think a 4000 or 4050 that he runs the crap out of we found on e-bay that had a new  maintenance kit in it I have a laserjet 4000 with over 400K on it. and no driver problems.

http://www.precisionroller.com/toner-cartridges-for-hp-laserjet-4000/details_7193.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-4000-T-LaserJet-Network-Printer-w-Toner-Low-Pages-/320568882324?cmd=ViewItem&pt=COMP_Printers&hash=item4aa364f494

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-LASERJET-4050-N-LJ4050N-LJ-4050N-17PPM-C4253A-/110566223021?cmd=ViewItem&pt=COMP_Printers&hash=item19be42acad

or if you want color MFP i have a Canon Cheep!!   LOL..

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/sys/1829776250.html

Take the printers you bought back to wally world.