Vista / HP C3100 - Device Reinstall when Reconnected

Ok - some similar posts here but nothing exactly. Thanks in advance to
whoever reads and responds! ;-)

Running Vista Home Premium on my notebook computer. I have a HP C3100
All-in-One connected to the notebook via USB (only option available on
printer to connect device). Whenever I want to be "wireless" with my
notebook and disconnect the USB from the notebook and then come back to
reconnect the USB the printer has to go through the process of reinstalling
itself. Eventually I have many "copies" of the printer available in my
devices menu. I tried looking for a solution such as disabling plug and play
or redetection of an already installed printer but have found nothing.

I'll also mention that I had to request the software CD from HP so that I
could run the printer on Vista - the one it came with wasn't compatible with
Vista.

I've also considered buying a USB-to-LAN adapter so that I could plug the
printer directly into my router but I wasn't sure if that would work.

Anyone have any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to be able to just disconnect and
reconnect the USB without the device being reinstalled each and every time.
Should I go ahead and get the adapter and use the printer through my router?
What would be the pros/cons of doing this? I'm a pretty saavy computer user
but still learning how to work Vista :-( and also still learning wireless
abilities.

Are you using the Safely Remove Hardware button before unplugging the USB
cable?
It's the little icon in the notification area (right side) of the Task bar,
with a green checkmark...
Don't know, but maybe that would keep it from reinstalling?????



"Dawn" <Dawn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:149A1076-FEDA-4276-B8E1-E32C75529D66@microsoft.com...
> Ok - some similar posts here but nothing exactly. Thanks in advance to
> whoever reads and responds! ;-)
>
> Running Vista Home Premium on my notebook computer. I have a HP C3100
> All-in-One connected to the notebook via USB (only option available on
> printer to connect device). Whenever I want to be "wireless" with my
> notebook and disconnect the USB from the notebook and then come back to
> reconnect the USB the printer has to go through the process of
> reinstalling
> itself. Eventually I have many "copies" of the printer available in my
> devices menu. I tried looking for a solution such as disabling plug and
> play
> or redetection of an already installed printer but have found nothing.
>
> I'll also mention that I had to request the software CD from HP so that I
> could run the printer on Vista - the one it came with wasn't compatible
> with
> Vista.
>
> I've also considered buying a USB-to-LAN adapter so that I could plug the
> printer directly into my router but I wasn't sure if that would work.
>
> Anyone have any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to be able to just disconnect
> and
> reconnect the USB without the device being reinstalled each and every
> time.
> Should I go ahead and get the adapter and use the printer through my
> router?
> What would be the pros/cons of doing this? I'm a pretty saavy computer
> user
> but still learning how to work Vista :-( and also still learning wireless
> abilities.

In general this means that you did not follow the correct installation
process. The cure is to disconnect the device, remove the drivers from
Add/Remove Programs (if possible, this may not be), then restart the
computer, and finally follow the install instructions exactly.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Dawn" <Dawn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:149A1076-FEDA-4276-B8E1-E32C75529D66@microsoft.com...
> Ok - some similar posts here but nothing exactly. Thanks in advance to
> whoever reads and responds! ;-)
>
> Running Vista Home Premium on my notebook computer. I have a HP C3100
> All-in-One connected to the notebook via USB (only option available on
> printer to connect device). Whenever I want to be "wireless" with my
> notebook and disconnect the USB from the notebook and then come back to
> reconnect the USB the printer has to go through the process of
> reinstalling
> itself. Eventually I have many "copies" of the printer available in my
> devices menu. I tried looking for a solution such as disabling plug and
> play
> or redetection of an already installed printer but have found nothing.
>
> I'll also mention that I had to request the software CD from HP so that I
> could run the printer on Vista - the one it came with wasn't compatible
> with
> Vista.
>
> I've also considered buying a USB-to-LAN adapter so that I could plug the
> printer directly into my router but I wasn't sure if that would work.
>
> Anyone have any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to be able to just disconnect
> and
> reconnect the USB without the device being reinstalled each and every
> time.
> Should I go ahead and get the adapter and use the printer through my
> router?
> What would be the pros/cons of doing this? I'm a pretty saavy computer
> user
> but still learning how to work Vista :-( and also still learning wireless
> abilities.

Thanks, to everyone who has replied to this post. Unfortunately, I still need
more help. I have never had a problem with xp, but I have a Vista computer
and the same HP 3100 printer. My boyfriend has a Vista computer (didn't have
trouble with xp), but now has trouble with his hp 7400 series which he
connected wirelessly to the network rather than directly to his computer,
doing the exact same duplication thing. I'm willing to bet that the issue is
somehow with Vista.

I have the same problem as above. Every time I connect my printer, it
reinstalls a new copy of the printer. I have properly disconnected it every
time, and have reinstalled it several times. I am fairly computer proficient
and my boyfriend builds computers for friends on the side. We don't usually
have any problems but have had a TON with Vista so far.

What's even better is that every time I turn my computer on, even if I
didn't disconnect the printer, it reinstalls the printer. My only idea is
that something coded into Windows Vista isnt recognizing the printer and
continues to reinstall it.

My boyfriend scrapped Vista, installed XP on his new computer and has not
had any problems at all. I like a lot... a few... I mean... a couple of
things about Vista and generally don't want to have to reinstall XP and find
the drivers etc.

Are there any other suggestions out there??

"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> In general this means that you did not follow the correct installation
> process. The cure is to disconnect the device, remove the drivers from
> Add/Remove Programs (if possible, this may not be), then restart the
> computer, and finally follow the install instructions exactly.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Dawn" <Dawn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:149A1076-FEDA-4276-B8E1-E32C75529D66@microsoft.com...
> > Ok - some similar posts here but nothing exactly. Thanks in advance to
> > whoever reads and responds! ;-)
> >
> > Running Vista Home Premium on my notebook computer. I have a HP C3100
> > All-in-One connected to the notebook via USB (only option available on
> > printer to connect device). Whenever I want to be "wireless" with my
> > notebook and disconnect the USB from the notebook and then come back to
> > reconnect the USB the printer has to go through the process of
> > reinstalling
> > itself. Eventually I have many "copies" of the printer available in my
> > devices menu. I tried looking for a solution such as disabling plug and
> > play
> > or redetection of an already installed printer but have found nothing.
> >
> > I'll also mention that I had to request the software CD from HP so that I
> > could run the printer on Vista - the one it came with wasn't compatible
> > with
> > Vista.
> >
> > I've also considered buying a USB-to-LAN adapter so that I could plug the
> > printer directly into my router but I wasn't sure if that would work.
> >
> > Anyone have any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to be able to just disconnect
> > and
> > reconnect the USB without the device being reinstalled each and every
> > time.
> > Should I go ahead and get the adapter and use the printer through my
> > router?
> > What would be the pros/cons of doing this? I'm a pretty saavy computer
> > user
> > but still learning how to work Vista :-( and also still learning wireless
> > abilities.
>

I bought the HP C3100. I am able to printer the printer is connected to a
Window xp computer but does not work with Vista one. Please help

url:http://www.ureader.com/msg/16891352.aspx

On Jan 17, 6:59 pm, ashleigh <ashle...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:
> Thanks, to everyone who has replied to this post. Unfortunately, I still need
> more help. I have never had a problem with xp, but I have a Vista computer
> and the same HP 3100 printer. My boyfriend has a Vista computer (didn't have
> trouble with xp), but now has trouble with his hp 7400 series which he
> connected wirelessly to the network rather than directly to his computer,
> doing the exact same duplication thing. I'm willing to bet that the issue is
> somehow with Vista.
>
> I have the same problem as above. Every time I connect my printer, it
> reinstalls a new copy of the printer. I have properly disconnected it every
> time, and have reinstalled it several times. I am fairly computer proficient
> and my boyfriend builds computers for friends on the side. We don't usually
> have any problems but have had a TON with Vista so far.
>
> What's even better is that every time I turn my computer on, even if I
> didn't disconnect the printer, it reinstalls the printer. My only idea is
> that something coded into Windows Vista isnt recognizing the printer and
> continues to reinstall it.
>
> My boyfriend scrapped Vista, installed XP on his new computer and has not
> had any problems at all. I like a lot... a few... I mean... a couple of
> things about Vista and generally don't want to have to reinstall XP and find
> the drivers etc.
>
> Are there any other suggestions out there??
>
> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
> > In general this means that you did not follow the correct installation
> > process. The cure is to disconnect the device, remove the drivers from
> > Add/Remove Programs (if possible, this may not be), then restart the
> > computer, and finally follow the install instructions exactly.
>
> > --
> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rghar...@gmail.com
> > * NEW! Catch my blog ...http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > * The Website -http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> > * HELP us help YOU ...http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> > "Dawn" <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >news:149A1076-FEDA-4276-B8E1-E32C75529D66@microsoft.com...
> > > Ok - some similar posts here but nothing exactly. Thanks in advance to
> > > whoever reads and responds! ;-)
>
> > > Running Vista Home Premium on my notebook computer. I have a HP C3100
> > > All-in-One connected to the notebook via USB (only option available on
> > > printer to connect device). Whenever I want to be "wireless" with my
> > > notebook and disconnect the USB from the notebook and then come back to
> > > reconnect the USB the printer has to go through the process of
> > > reinstalling
> > > itself. Eventually I have many "copies" of the printer available in my
> > > devices menu. I tried looking for a solution such as disabling plug and
> > > play
> > > or redetection of an already installed printer but have found nothing.
>
> > > I'll also mention that I had to request the software CD from HP so that I
> > > could run the printer on Vista - the one it came with wasn't compatible
> > > with
> > > Vista.
>
> > > I've also considered buying a USB-to-LAN adapter so that I could plug the
> > > printer directly into my router but I wasn't sure if that would work.
>
> > > Anyone have any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to be able to just disconnect
> > > and
> > > reconnect the USB without the device being reinstalled each and every
> > > time.
> > > Should I go ahead and get the adapter and use the printer through my
> > > router?
> > > What would be the pros/cons of doing this? I'm a pretty saavy computer
> > > user
> > > but still learning how to work Vista :-( and also still learning wireless
> > > abilities.

I have the exact same problem with my desktop. My computer was built
by myself and I have Windows Vista Ultimate. My printer is an HP 4180.

The common theme here is USB, HP printer, and Vista. My parents had
the exact same problem with their laptop, but they didn't mind so I
didn't look into fixing it. The weird part is, my printer didn't use
to act this way. The first time I installed Vista, my printer never
reinstalled itself. However, after my reformat every time I shut down
my computer or even simply turn the printer off and on it reinstalls
itself.

This is surely something I don't have to live with...do I?

Anyway have an 800 or email from HP that I can get a human reply from?

Thanks,
HZ

[Ghassan]

Ya - seems exactly what I'm experiencing - even the part of it not having been the case before now. I just live with it and delete the old drivers every week.

[hammysg1]

I have exactly the same problem with my HP all-in-one F2180 when running Vista basic. Everytime I disconnect the laptop from the printer, a notification window keeps telling me that it is unplugged, the next time I reconnect it wants to load the driver all over again, even though the driver is already on there. It spends 15 minutes reloading the driver all over again and puts it on as copy (1), copy (2) etc., since the first driver is already on there. I have tried using the HP disk to install and it does not make the slightest bit of difference, as soon as I disconnect and reconnect, vista recognises it as a new piece of hardware plugged into the USB and the printer will not function until I load the software all over again. I have tried switching the printer to offline before I disconnect and this also makes no difference, when I reconnect, it still thinks it is a new piece of hardware. I have tried clicking on the "safely remove hardware" icon on the taskbar, before disconnecting the printer but it never has the printer listed there as being connected through the USB. Could someone please, please help me with this, I'm at my wits end constantly spending 15 minutes waiting for the driver to be reloaded everytime I just want to print something. At this rate I am ready to throw the damned printer away even though I like it. I never had any problems with it on my previous laptop/operating system.

[Ghassan]

If I remember correctly there is a possibility to click 'cancel' as soon as it starts installing another copy of the driver. Other than that I could never find a permanentt solution - by the way I prefer to let things be rather than uninstalling softaware completely and reloading it. You never know what other surprises are waiting for you.

[hammysg1]

Thanks for your advice but, unfortunately, if I cancel the re-install the printer does not work for some reason; things get sent to the print queue but will not print.