Computer help, please?

[PennLady]

My husband is having trouble getting his computer to see his scanner. The scanner is an HP Officejet 6500 all-in-one, and his computer is an HP desktop running Windows 7. The Officejet is older than the computer by probably a year or so. He can print to the unit, but it will not scan.

I can use the unit to scan from my MacAir, so the scanning function does work. As far as I know, the unit does everything it's supposed to, except scan with my husband's computer.

Mr. Penn has tried uninstalling and (re)installing drivers. It did scan successfully once today, but then not since. He suspects the problem may be two sets of drivers -- a default one installed by Windows, versus the specific one -- that both point to the unit. He also can't disable the one printer.

I'd be happy to take this to PMs or email.

 

[Amberchgo]

I'm no expert but try searching the HP website. Perhaps they have some updates on compatibility issues.

 

[Swilly]

Is it wireless?

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I would suggest he's sure he has installed the driver from HP. I'm not a big fan of HP, because I've found their drivers rather buggy.

A link to HP drivers for the model you mentioned

I would also be sure he installs the FULL version of the software and not just the driver. A link to the full blown software for Windows 7, 32 bit edition. If he has Win 7, 64 bit, there will be a different version.

From there, he should click the Start button, All Programs, and search for the HP folder. He should be sure to use the HP software.

One more link of helpfulness from the HP site: Resolving network issues.

Good luck!

 

[StrangeLife]

I am no expert in Windows or HP, but could this be the problem?

I have also noticed a few recommendations on-line of using MS Paint for scanning, in case whatever other program you normally use wont work. It's obviously no real solution, but might be useful in the case of a scanning emergency...

 

[Swilly]

I agree with Bucky. Install the software, and make sure you select the network printer. I had issues where it was installed both as a local printer and a network printer. It didn't work as a local printer.

 

[R. Richard]

I have an HP Deskjet. If I use the Print access, there's no Scan. If I right click on the shortcut icon, I get a menu that includes Scan.

 

[TxRad]

Windblows 7 has major problems with older printers. Especially, HP & Lexmark.

Windblows has several blurts out with some fixes.

 

[PennLady]

Thanks for all the help, everyone. He gave up on it for tonight, will probably try again tomorrow.

 

[Privates1stClass]

I have a scanner (older than my computer) which my computer doesn't recognize unless I turn on the scanner first and then boot the computer. If my computer is on, and then I turn on the scanner, the computer ignores it.

Perhaps it's a driver issue in that the driver loads on bootup and looks for hardware attached to the computer? Or--it could be something completely different.

Good luck in getting it working.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

So...not too long ago, my C: drive crashed(it's all in another thread) and I just installed/reinstalled my Cannon MG2120.

Now I did it as a local device but the process should be the same for a network device.

I found I had to not only load the print drivers but the scanning drivers.

Windows 7, which is what I'm now using, saw the scanner as a device, but didn't have drivers for it.

I had to install them from the CD as Win7 didn't have a default set for my model of printer/scanner/copier/fax.

Check in your Control Panel / Hardware and Sound / Device and Printers.

It should list all devices attached to the computer even those it has no drivers for. They should be listed with the yellow triangle with the exclamation point inside next to them.

Hope this helps.