This is a problem common to the HP printer series... and not to the Thinkpad. Here is one way to fix it that works for our clients with certain HP printers, and computers using Windows XP. I have no idea whether it works with Windows VISTA or Windows 7... so I would not try it with those two versions of Windows. It is a fairly common problem.
This may seem cumbersome, but it works for us. You need to remove the HP install from the registry, or remnants will screw it up again. Download from Computer Geeks Registry section, the free program Reg Cleaner by Juoni Vuorio, also listed as RegCleaner 4.3.0.780. Install this program. It is a simple, but powerful registry editor Vuorio developed while employed by Microsoft during Windows 95 and 98 days. Next, be sure you have the HP Printer install disk, or download and have available, all the HP install files from the HP website for that particular model of HP Printer. Use "Add or Remove" to uninstall your HP printer and all remnants and programs affiliated with the HP Printer. Reboot. Click on the RegCleaner Icon. When you get the program on the screen, go to these one at a time: Software; Startup List; Uninstall Menu; File Types, New File, and Shell Extensions. But a check in the little box on the left for any reference to the HP install ONLY. If you are not certain it is part of the HP printers installation, leave it be. Next, chose to remove all those files you have checked. They will all be saved where you can restore them if you need to... Once all the HP files, and only HP printer files, are removed from each section, exit from RegCleaner, and then reboot. The next phase requires your full attention. Be sure you have no other programs active. We even disconnect our ethernet connections. Now, disconnect your USB - printer cable until you get a request from the HP install Reinstall your HP printer, using the full version from the install disk or the download. Be sure your USB cable has no lumps in it as they may be signs of damage. The installation process will tell you when to plug in the USB cable. Do not get in a hurry. You can also wait until the printer software is installed, then install the USB cable, but that increases the risk of problems. Once the printer is fully installed, you should find your USB connection and USB usability problems with the printer should have gone away. You will see connection activity on your screen as the system recognizes your printer. In our experience, this works every time... even with the old USB 1.1. I hope you find it works well for you. Good luck. RB - - - - - I don't necessarily agree with everything I say. .. ... .... ..... ...... Marshal McLuhan On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 11:08 AM, Len Conrad <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm on my second brand of USB-to-parallel cable ($40 each!), still have > never printed a single page from my W500 USB. > > I've been through the Windows printer troubleshooter. useless. > > I've checked the parallel cable end is well seated, re-seated, in the > printer. > > The printer driver is using USB000x port, not the LPTx ports. > > The reset button on the printer prints a test page, so their is paper, > being picked, and printer is otherwise ok. > > suggestions? > > Len > > > _______________________________________________ > Thinkpad mailing list > [email protected] > http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad > _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
