unable to get my USB printer working

[Wilbert]

I recently bought a HP printer: HP Photosmart C3180 with a USB cable connecting it to my USB port. It won't print anything, and the problem is (i think) that i can't install an USB device driver for it (at least one that works).

If i do an automatic install, it installs some USB driver from my hdd. Obviously this doesn't work since it's not a printer driver. In Device Manager it is listed under 'USB Device' with a "!" mark next to it. Its status is the following:

The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)

Ok, so i install it manually, for example this one from the HP installation CD: HP Photosmart C3100 series (DOT4USB). I think this should be right one, shouldn't it? In Device Manager it is listed under 'HP Photosmart C3100 series (DOT4USB)' with a "!" mark next to it. Its status is the following:

properties: "This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

So, i hope anyone of you can help me? I bought the damn thing two weeks ago, and i still haven't figured it out how to get it working.

[CWR03]

Refer to the instruction manual; this device requires that you install drivers, then connect the device. If you reverse this process it won't work.

[Zach]

Ok, so i install it manually, for example this one from the HP installation CD: HP Photosmart C3100 series (DOT4USB). I think this should be right one, shouldn't it?
Yes, that's the right one.


So, i hope anyone of you can help me? I bought the damn thing two weeks ago, and i still haven't figured it out how to get it working.

Assuming you have already added the printer:

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2029/addprinterdm8.jpg

...or when you do, you need to change the port as it will normally default to LPT1:

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9392/printerportse3.jpg

If that's all set up correctly, then I don't know. :(

[Blue_MiSfit]

I had this issue once with an Epson USB printer back in the day.

You HAD to install things in a specific order, or it would not work period.

Remove everything HP related, remove the DOT4 virtual printer port it created, and start from scratch. Run their setup wizard off the CD, and don't connect the printer / power it on until they say so.

-Derek

[foxyshadis]

Don't waste too much time on it. Take it back if it won't work at all, HP printers have become complete jokemode. Canons are still pretty nice.

There are some HP uninstallers that'll totally wipe your system clean before you give it another install attempt. Even with those, on several occasions I've just been unable to make it work at all.

Something I've occasionally seen happen is that the USB monitor gets messed up, can be fixed with this reg file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Monitors\USB Monitor]
"Driver"="usbmon.dll"