Ask Me Help Desk - XP not Reconizing HP Printer

XP not Reconizing HP Printer

Hello Doctors,

I am trying to the drivers for my HP LaserJet 1200. My system says it cannot the drivers. My System Typeis X86-based PC and there is no option with that driver in the HP web site.

Please Help!

You shouldn't have to download anything XP has 1200 drivers built in. Just Open the Printers folder, select Add Printer and select it from the list.

Thanks for the quick response. Every time I tried that I get word for word:

Cannot Install this Hardware
There was a problem installing this hard ware:
HP LaserJet 1200 Printer
An eror occurred during the installation of the device
Data error (cyclic redundancy check).

Click Finish to close the wizard.

Sep,

A CRC means an error was discovered wit he file as it was being read. If you are trying to us a Disc, then the disc or just the file is trashed.

Go to the HP web site and download the most current driver for your OS and printer.

Thanks Donf for the quick response.

My System Type is X86-based PC and there is no option with that driver (X86) in the HP web site. Does it matter if my System type is X86-based PC? I don't see this option, only X64 and others

Again you don't need to download anything. The driver for the 1200 is built into XP.

If you want to download the drivers go here:

HP LaserJet 1200 Printer series - Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

And select your OS.

I understand the driver is built in, even when I download the driver, my comaputer doesn't except it. I waiting for someone to tell me why this might be happening. Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening? Should I look at different parts of my system for a malfunction?

Why would bother DLing the driver?

Scott, I'm the one that has the questions about my system that doesn't work. I thought you had the expertise to answer them. If you're going to ask me "why bother" maybe I'm doing something wrong. So please tell me the right thing to do.

Clarification:
Your x86 computer "type" is unrelated to x64. The x86 refers to a processor that is instruction set compatible with Intel's x86 line of processors - 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486, Pentium... etc vs. say a PowerPC processor used in some Macs. The x64 options listed on HP's web site concern the "bitness" of the operating system listed. The Windows XP listing as well as all those that don't say 64 something are 32 bit. The Windows XP x64 listing is 64 bit. If you have the 64 bit version of Windows XP, I suspect you would know it. Choose the non x64 version of XP for the correct driver.

Now, if you are experiencing file corruption (CRC errors) with both XP's built-in driver and the correct HP downloaded driver, your hard drive needs to be checked for malfunction or there is a conflict with something else on the system. Troubleshooting this is probably beyond the scope of this forum. Would such a scenario appear on my doorstep, I'd start by uninstalling all the pieces of the previous failed driver installations. Doing so could involve a call to HP support. Then I'd re-run the HP driver installer and go from there. Also, are you attempting the install from a Windows account with administrative rights/what's your environment?

See now, that's what I'm talking about! Thank you Scleros for the detailed breakdown. I learned something today! I do have Admin rights on my system. Regarding the file corruption (CRC errors), I think I'm going to include this issue in the Dell Forum since my system is a Dell Dimension 4700. What do you think?

Some of HP's drivers won't install properly because the file path length is too long. Try creating a directory in "c:\stuff". Download it there and run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sep17

Scott, I'm the one that has the questions about my system that doesn't work. I thought you had the expertise to answer them. If you’re going to ask me "why bother" maybe I'm doing something wrong. So please tell me the right thing to do.

I am answering them. I've told you the driver for your printer is built in to XP. To install that printer you simply go to the Printer folder, select Add Printer then select your printer from the list. I don't understand why you would try to download the printer when you don't need to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sep17

I think I'm going to include this issue in the Dell Forum since my system is a Dell Dimension 4700. What do you think?

I don't think the system brand matters unless it is an issue specific to that Dell model, but more eyeballs on a problem never seems to hurt.

How old is your system? Seems like the 4700s were of 2004/5 vintage. If so, your hard drive has reached the ripe old age of 3+ years and is in what I consider the impending failure zone. Strongly suggest you backup your data and run the drive manufacturer's diagnostic. If the drive checks out, one possibility for your error is eliminated. The Windows event log may have additional info from the install attempt too.