Mac OS X (10.5.8) + PSC1610 Reinstallation problems after upgrade problems

[jungdok]

I've had this printer for many years, using it primarily to scan and occasionally to print color documents. Then, sometime last year, I got a software/driver update that slowed down the scanning function to a snail's pace. So I tried to uninstall the update driver and start over. I will admit here that I probably uninstalled improperly, not realizing that there was an HP Uninstall application.

When I reinstalled from the original CDs that came with the printer, I encountered the problems many others seem to be encountering. According to the software setup, the device is not connected to my computer. However, when I run the System Profiler, the computer sees that the PSC1610 is connected to the USB.

Yesterday, I had to restore my computer's hard drive to factory default, starting completely clean. I hoped that this meant that I could reinstall the printer software successfully. No go. The following are what happen:

• My MacBook's System Profile sees that the PSC1610 is connected to the USB.

• The software installation initially sees the PSC1610 and allows me to select it.

• Somewhere in the installation, the HPIO Trap Monitor application crashes. The Trap Monitor is located at

 /Library/Printers/hp/hpio/HPIO Trap Monitor.app/Contents/MacOS/HPIO Trap Monitor.

• Magically though the software installation completes and says it is a success.

• Then, I am informed that the device is not connected to the computer.

• When I try to scan through HP Image Zone, it says: "The HP Communications application is not running. Clik the 'Reset' button to restart the Communications application or 'Quit' to quit HP Scan.

• Printer says "No Connection" when I hit "Setup / 1. Help Menu /" and then any of the options available after this level

• Yet, the printer shows up as a viable option. I can send a document to print, and have the printer go through the process of printing. The printer ink is dry, so the document doesn't actually print.

• I also tried to find the software update that created all this trouble in the first place but the software updater just hangs now.

I've tried uninstalling (using the HP Uninstaller this time) and reinstalling to no avail. I also called HP, willing to shell out money for Tech Support, only to get the answer that this printer is so old that it is no longer supported and that I may have more luck getting help through this forum. HP Tech Support's final word was that I may need to replace the printer, which seems ludicrous since the hardware is obviously working and that the problem lies in some wonky software communication failure. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

[PrintDoc]

Install the software from the CD, then uninstall it with the scrubber option:

Go to Applications/Hewlett Packard/ click on HP Uninstaller
Click on Continue
Highlight your device on the left pane
Hold the Ctrl, Opt and Cmd keys and click on Uninstall <<<< Scrubber Option
There will be a pop up that asks if you are sure you want to uninstall ALL hp software. (At this point, if you continue, any HP printers you have installed will need to be reinstalled)
Click Continue and let it finish

Restart your Mac

Now, let's make sure your OS X is healthy:

1. Download and install OS X Combo Update.
2. Download and install HP printer drivers from Apple.

Finally, get the latest software for your printer from the "Support & Driver" link at the top of this page.

[jungdok]

Thank you for your feedback, but strangely I can't find the HP Uninstaller at all on my system and definitely not under the Applications/Hewlett Packard/. The weird thing is that when I tried to install the software yesterday, there was an HP Uninstaller on my system (although I thought it was under Library).

The following are the HP files I have on my MacBook:

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Image Edit

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Image Print

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Image Zone

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Instant Share

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Panorama Stitching

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Photo and Imaging Software / ...

Applications / Hewlett Packard / HP Software Update

Applications / Hewlett Packard / Memories Disc / ...

Applications / Hewlett Packard / Plug-Ins / ... (which has HP AiO Uninstall.bundle - is this relevant?)

Applications / Hewlett Packard / Utilities / ...

Library / Application Support / Hewlett Packard / HPMD Info

Library / Application Support / Hewlett Packard / Imaging / ...

Library / Application Support / Hewlett Packard / Software Update / ...

Library / Application Support / hp / aio / ...

Library / Application Support / hp / hpio / (this has the Trap Monitor folder)

Library / Application Support / hp / hppa / Plugins /

Library / Printers / hp / (various folders including another hpio folder that has HPIO Trap Monitor application, but nothing with Uninstaller.)

Library / Printers / hp / Utilities / (various apps, including HP Printer Utility app)

Users / Admin / Library / Printers / HP PSC 1600 Series

I checked to see if the Installer CD had an Uninstall but I see nonesuch. Again, any help you can offer will be much appreciated.

[PrintDoc · Accepted solution]

OK, well, let's see if we can get lucky and just trash the Application > Hewlett-Packard folder.  You could also trash the Library HP files if you want.  I think this is what the scrubber does.

Once you do that, restart your Mac and keep following the instructions above.

[jungdok]

Thank you for your help. It worked this time.

I deleted the following files:

Applications/Hewlett-Packard/

Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/

Library/Application Support/hp/

Then I installed the driver that I'd downloaded from HP Support.