Printer?

[mandalee65]

Allow me to be the first! 

I work from home via the internet site gotomypc. I actually connect to my computer at the office instead of working from my personal one. The office bought me an HP 3050 LaserJet. It's a scanner/printer/copier/fax.

Here's the really bizarre thing: The printer absolutely refuses to install to my own pc, but I can use it through the website on my work pc. It's got to be something wrong with my computer, but for the life of me I can't figure out what. I spent hours on the phone with the tech support guy from HP, and he was just as baffled as I am. I uninstalled and reinstalled countless times. My computer can "see" the printer, but for some reason it can't communicate with it. Every time I reinstall, I get an error message saying that I need to reinstall. . . again.

I need the printer! I had to uninstall mine because the two weren't working together. For personal use, I have to have something.

I know this is a long shot, but if anyone has any ideas (other than launching this thing out the window and starting all over) I sure would appreciate it!

For the record, I'm a mid-level computer user. I don't know how to program the thing, but I'm way beyond the clueless stage, too.

[spurly]

I assume you have tried to download the needed drivers from the internet?

[Bon Voyage]

Allow me to be the first! 

I work from home via the internet site gotomypc. I actually connect to my computer at the office instead of working from my personal one. The office bought me an HP 3050 LaserJet. It's a scanner/printer/copier/fax.

Here's the really bizarre thing: The printer absolutely refuses to install to my own pc, but I can use it through the website on my work pc. It's got to be something wrong with my computer, but for the life of me I can't figure out what. I spent hours on the phone with the tech support guy from HP, and he was just as baffled as I am. I uninstalled and reinstalled countless times. My computer can "see" the printer, but for some reason it can't communicate with it. Every time I reinstall, I get an error message saying that I need to reinstall. . . again.

I need the printer! I had to uninstall mine because the two weren't working together. For personal use, I have to have something.

I know this is a long shot, but if anyone has any ideas (other than launching this thing out the window and starting all over) I sure would appreciate it!

For the record, I'm a mid-level computer user. I don't know how to program the thing, but I'm way beyond the clueless stage, too.

I worked for a call center for Gateway a long time ago.  Let me tell you something you may not know, not all technical support people really know what they are doing.  They just have a telephone, minimal training, and some good faq's on their work pc.  I've seen people literally hired off the street.

What you need is a computer savvy ten year old.

[mandalee65]

In seven more years, that may be my little boy! The guy I talked to was really nice, but you may have nailed it, Gary. I guess I'll have to try again - I'm really needing to use the scanner, and that won't work through gotomypc.

Yes, I tried downloading a new driver and an upgraded version of the installation software. It didn't help.

And I thought all this technology was supposed to make our lives easier!

[twd]

And I thought all this technology was supposed to make our lives easier!

Nope, just more complicated.

[spurly]

Sometimes it takes longer to do something with modern technology than it took to do it without all the technology.

[Jimbob]

Do you have more than one profile (login) set up on your computer?  I wonder if installing (if the admin permissions allow it, of course) the printer through a different login would make any difference?  That's a real shot in the dark though.

Also, have you talk to tech support at gotomypc?  They may have run into this where the HP tech hasn't.

[Bon Voyage]

You said you were a mid-level user.

Did HP have you uninstall the printer from the device manager?

[mandalee65]

After much weeping and gnashing of teeth. . .

It's fixed. In desperation, I did a System Restore for one week prior to my first attempt to install the printer. I uninstalled the original printer and a couple of other programs, and this time it finally worked.

Now if it will just do the same thing for me in the morning, I'll be very happy.

 

[normfromga]

I worked for a call center for Gateway a long time ago. 

Now I recognize you!

I had one of the few Gateways in our office about eight years ago, and everytime I had to call up the service center for on-line help during the warrantee period, I always got the same instructions:

"Format Hard Drive!" and "Re-install OS!"

[Bon Voyage]

I worked for a call center for Gateway a long time ago. 

Now I recognize you!

I had one of the few Gateways in our office about eight years ago, and everytime I had to call up the service center for on-line help during the warrantee period, I always got the same instructions:

"Format Hard Drive!" and "Re-install OS!"

Its all about call times.  Especially when dealing with customers who don't know what to do with their cupholder. 

[normfromga]

I worked for a call center for Gateway a long time ago. 

Now I recognize you!

I had one of the few Gateways in our office about eight years ago, and everytime I had to call up the service center for on-line help during the warrantee period, I always got the same instructions:

"Format Hard Drive!" and "Re-install OS!"

Its all about call times.  Especially when dealing with customers who don't know what to do with their cupholder. 

I found that they last longer once I switch from ceramic cups to styrofoam...

[Jimbob]

The System Restore feature really is on of XP's best features.  Very handy.

[twd]

True.  But, good backups are better.