Not able to scan in 10.6? Try this!

[MBJustice]

Hi all, I've seen a lot of threads where folks are having issues scanning after upgrading to Snow Leopard.

We've seen this mostly when there's a conflict between old and new software.  Folks will automatically run the software off the CD when they are setting up a new printer, or will have vestiges of the 10.5 software still on the Mac.  The problem is the software on the  CD is for 10.5, and doesn't play well with 10.6.

So here's how to fix that.

Uninstalling by itself doesn't always resolve the issue, so there's a "scrubber" in the software that really cleans things out.  Note that this scrubber will remove ALL HP software, so if you have any other devices installed you'll need to reinstall them.

Go to Library/Applications/Hewlett Packard/ click on HP Uninstaller

Click on Continue

Highlight your device on the left pane

Hold the Ctrl, Opt and Apple keys and click on Uninstall

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, which is why we don't run this thing all the time)

Click Continue

Let the scrubber do it's thing.

After that, Add your Printer through Print and Fax, and let the OS search for updates and such. If it asks you if you want to download them, accept.

That should take care of it.

[Brent]

FYI: RE: Uninstalling HP software from 10.6 with scrubber:  The scrubber will also erase the Apple HP Printer Update 2.x / built in drivers and software for HP printers. 

When /if old HP software is on the computer, the most common issue is that when you run the standard HP Uninstaller without scrubber, it doesn't delete all HP files it should. You can resolve it without the scrubber by just running the regular HP Uninstaller, then check your Applications folder when done and if the Hewlett-Packard folder is still there, trash it. This will allow the install of the new/up to date software to be successful. If this fails, then you might want to try the scrubber.

[MBJustice]

True the scrubber erases all HP software, which is what I stated.  Also true is that they should try just the uninstaller, also which I stated.  The point is to get the system to a clean point sans 10.5 artifacts and reinstall the drivers so they work.  It has worked for thousands of calls.

[Brent]

Agreed. The point is, the reason why the uninstaller doesn't work is because it leaves the HP folder behind. 1000 more calls here, scubber never needed on 10.6.

[LeeS]

Your suggestion for "scrubbing" all the HP applications is fine, and we can still reinstall the printer drivers and applications, but you mentioned a CD with the new scanning applications, etc.  Where did you get this CD?  I, along with thousands of HP users, have been hounding HP to live up to their promise for drivers for scanning drivers for the new OS 10.6.2 Snow Leopard. For me, I have a Scanjet G4050, it was supposed to be out in November 2009.  We all are still waiting for HP to get off the pot and do what it has promised. 

[MBJustice]

The CD for 10.5 is causing the issues on All in ones.  That's why we are scrubbing it out, and installing the software available for these products that is 10.6 compatible.    The software for scanners hasn't passed testing yet, that's why it's not released.  Releasing software that doesn't work won't do anybody any good right?  You haven't been forgotten, and I apologize for the delay.  I'll put a bug in someone's ear and see if we can speed things up a bit.

[sbenjamin99]

I have searched the library on my iMac and no applications folder exists. Also did a search for Hewlett Packard and no folder either. I am trying to use the scrubber on a LaserJet 3030. Is it because i need the CD?  If so, I'm screwed because I don't have it.

I installed this thing ~ 6 months ago and it was working flawlessly for printing. Yet lately it seems to hang for some time and states "waiting for printer to become available". No other print jobs are going on. I really would like to able to scan (which I have not been able to do -I have surmised HP will not update any driver for this beast to OS 10.6), but I would settle for just being able to print in a timely manner. Waiting a dozen minutes for a small file to print sucks.