Conflict between HP printer and Office 2003?

I reinstalled XP Pro SP2 about 2 weeks ago, and have been trying to restore all my programs since then. Office was non-functional so I grabbed the 3-machine CD for Office Student/Teacher 2003 that I bought for my son's laptop, and tried to install it. It didn't work right the first install, so I pulled it off. In the meantime, I re-installed my HP 2210v all in one printer/scanner/fax. That worked fine. (I have the original CD - HP has not been good about releasing driver updates or any tech support - cheapskates that they are…) Anyway, next I reinstalled Office 2003. That now works fine, but the HP software is messed up! I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but I get a message that the install failed, cannot find file specified when I plug in the USB. I have looked all over the net including the dreaded MS website but can't find anything definitive or a patch or work-around. The Office 2003 has a whole suite of Tools included, like MS Document Scanning (THAT could be a conflict right there…) Picture Manager, Application Recovery, and more. Maybe that is the problem? But when I did a minimal install, the normal programs like Word & Excel didn't work, so I put all that other junk on too. Thanks as always! Juliane

A brief "google" provided limited information about this conflict, but did indicate that others have posted "unanswered" questions about possible compatibility issues. <—- Bummer and not a good indication.

It might be possible for you to obtain an updated Driver for your HP, at the HP site.

Additionally, as with all USB devices, it is necessary to install the driver software, BEFORE, physically connecting the Device (your printer) to the computer via USB cable.

If you tried installing "with the USB cable already connected", then please use Add/Remove to uninstall the HP Software, and then begin again freshly with the USB cable "disconnected."

The onscreen installation prompts will tell you when to plug in the USB cable from your Printer to your Computer.

Best Regards

Thanks, Doug h, HP does offer a download that is supposed to update the driver, but that is not functional for me - even with the USB unplugged. I am going to try one more attempt at just using the original CD, but since it's about 3 years old, I don't imagine the old drivers will work with XP SP2 or Office 2003. So, the new drivers don't work, the old drivers don't work, what's a girl to do???

Doug h, Here is what I have done, that has partially resolved the problem. I ran HP's sofware scrubber. That still left a BUNCH of HP files in my Programs folder. So I deleted that. I emptied the temp folder too. Then I again ran the download from HP's website. It installed pretty well, but when I plugged in the USB cable to the printer, again I got the Found New Hardware Wizard pop-up, then the window that the install had failed. These 2 pop-ups just alternate, and pop up again and again in succession. Nevertheless, the scanner/printer worked - I opened the HP software and scanned a document. I just had those annoying little pop-ups in front of me the whole time. I then unplugged the USB and got rid of the pop-ups. One says "unknown driver" and the other says "cannot find the file specified." I may try to roll back the driver in the printer settings, but not sure that will work. Now I have to get rid of those 2 little annoyances…I am going to try the Windows Installer cleaner to see if that helps. If you find anything else or can think of any solutions, I will be happy to hear of it. Juliane

You're on the track that I would take. thanks for letting others know.

Doug h, Still no luck in getting the HP 2210v installed. I went through all the steps to uninstall ALL of the HP software, including a command prompt box where I had to OK deletion of about 15 or 20 files, one at a time. I then tried to install the downloaded drivers and software from my desktop, after pulling my cable plug out and de-activating Ashampoo and Avast. I do have other spyware running but I don't think they could block this download from installing. The download looked promising, but then when it came time to plug in the USB, the same problems occurred. The Found New Hardware bubble pops up, but then the title of the hardware will change between hp psc 2200 and Hewlett-Packard PSC 2200, as if it were 2 separate items. Then the installation window appears and tells me that Installation Failed - The device driver is unknown. If I click "finish" on that window (the only option), the Found New Hardware bubble reappears, and then the Install Failed Window returns. That becomes an endless cycle that usually requires me to unplug the USB in order to clear it. HP chat has been no help - they keep disconnecting me. MS is no help - nothing directly on the interface between XP SP2 and these printers. I did find one interesting item - in Control Panel, under Scanners and Cameras, the HP is listed there. I tried its properties, hoping I could roll back the driver or something, but it's as if it's a free-standing device, when the scanner is part of the copier and fax. I'm getting weary of this exercise, it seems fruitless, but I don't want to have to go out and buy another printer, either. Any other ideas? Thanks a lot. Juliane

Are there any yellow or red warnings in Device Manager - USB - Universal Serial Bus Controllers ? Possibly try another USB slot to plug in the priner cable. Do you have other USB devices already attached? – consider removing them.

I tried another cable - no change. No conflicts in Device manager. As for other devices, no, except for occasional flash drive sessions. Only the printer is normally attached. I wonder if it's something with Windows Firewall, or Office 2003. I wish there was some message or way of telling.

I've received some coaching on this problem from an experienced collegue.

He has had similar problems with HP products, often requiring multiple install attempts, complete un-installation of everything related to HP, and many hours of agony before success.

There are several points that he makes.

– The HP drivers are heavily dependant upon JAVA.
Therefore, you should be absolutely sure that you've uninstalled any/all old version of Sun JAVA Runtime Environment, and install the most Recent Build 1.6.0.0

– The HP drivers are entirely averse to interference, therefore you are recommended to disable any/all antivirus, firewall, AND antispyware. Actually, I'd turn off "anything" that appears in the notification area down there by your clock.

– It would probably do you well to dump your C:\Windows\Temp, and your Cookies and Temporary Internet Files prior to advancing to any attempts at reinstalling HP.

– Be sure that you have ALL applications closed before attempting reinstallation of HP software.

– At this point, I am not recommending any specific Registry Cleaning prior to reinstallation of HP, but it may come to that. How familiar are you with working in the Registry? (only for later if these steps and the following do not lead to success)

– HP provides a specific tool for removing HP Drivers prior to reinstallation attempts. (I guess they know how touchy their own software can be)

– There is a relatively well articulated Instruction Page, with links, on the HP WebSite. Here it is, if you haven't come across it yet:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen…e=documentIndex

Good luck to you.

Doug

Doug, that's very helpful. Thanks for checking with your colleague. I have one Dummy question - if I downloaded this driver file from HP's website with my antivirus program running, would those files still be OK? Because I cannot for the life of me figure out how to disable my AV and still be safe to download that file…I do not want to take a chance on getting a virus while I am connected to that website. I just finished running TuneUp Utilities, there were 400+ problems found. That app has a reverse in case something messes up, and I also have ERUNT and the best registry save right after I reinstalled and before anything else happened. I need to save that file on an external drive, though. I didn't see anything specific to the USB or Windows installer, although there were a few HP entries. I haven't uninstalled again, but I will probably clean it off again tomorrow to try a new install. I can't imagine what would cause the CD not to work either, though. I can't even go back to the old drivers on the CD now, which was what I installed before. Did your colleague say anything about Windows firewall? I put an exception for file sharing and printers, just in case.

if I downloaded this driver file from HP's website with my antivirus program running, would those files still be OK?

Yes, it should be just fine.

Run the HP Removal Tool linked in the article that I posted above, prior to your next install attempt.
Also read and follow those instructions carefully.
________

CD unit not running……… hmmmm
Is that a new development?
I think this is the first you've mentioned it.

Again check Device Manager for warnings.
But just as important….
Does the CD Drive Letter appeaar in your Windows Explorer?
Does it appear in your Device Manager?
Is there a Controller for the Device Manager listed in Device Manager IDE/ATA/ATAPI Controllers?

If the CD-ROM does not appear in the above, then you should have a look in your BIOS/CMOS to be certain that the CD-ROM unit is being recognized. Setting should be Auto, and the device should be displayed.

If none of the above show evidence of the CD-ROM, then carefully consider electric and static electricity cautions. Turn off your machine. Unplug the power cord. Turn off the Monitor and unplug the Monitor cord.

Next, open your Tower Case and be sure that the CD-ROM IDE ribbon cable and power cables are firmly seated in the unit and also firmly seated in the MotherBoard socket.

Keep us informed of your progress.

Best Regards

Sorry, Doug, I should have clarified that - it's not the CD drive that won't work, it's the install CD from the all in one itself! I spent all day on this yesterday and I have other duties today, so I will get back to you later or tomorrow after I uninstall AGAIN and try a clean install from the download. I realize I could buy the driver CD from HP but that is a last resort because I think they should support their products without charge. As always, thanks for the tips and the support. Juliane

Yes, I misunderstood your statement. Can't wait to hear that you've conquered the problem! Best Regards

Doug! I did it!! This is ridiculous, though. I had been on chat with HP pretty much all day Friday, on and off, and they were of marginal help. Tried this way, that way, and the other way to get that driver download to install. No, no, no way. Today, I got someone who could barely type in English, so I gave up on them. I uninstalled the partial install, turned off all the startups in msconfig, dumped the temp file AGAIN, and then it failed yet again. I uninstalled again. Before trying anything else, I right-clicked on the download file on my desktop. The very first screen had a little text at the bottom, "This file might be blocked to protect your computer from suspicious downloads," or something to that effect. !!!!!!! Light bulbs started to go off in my head. I checked "Unblock," then "Apply." Then I started the install again. What do you know?!!! This time, it worked!!! Darn Windows anyway - it blocked the file and only by sheer perseverance did I find the answer! I feel really exhilarated right now. Even better than when I got XP working again. Thanks for your help and kind support. I hope this helps someone else if the same thing comes up. RIGHT CLICK THE FILE AND UNBLOCK IT!!! Juliane

Hurray!!! Thanks for the heads-up regarding "unblock" I hadn't thought of that. Good work Julianne!!!