Deskjet F4580 No Longer Functioning on Windows 7 x64

[NicholasS]

I bought this printer to be a home network printer that several computers connect to through the network. Unfortunately, whenever I install the printer on my laptop running Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate edition or the other laptop running Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium, after I restart the computer I am unable to use the printer at all, over network or USB. It used to work to where I could select Add A Device from the installed start menu shortcuts to connect wirelessly (until I restart again) or just connect the USB cable and automatically install through Windows. (again, until I restart and it's gone)

Now, I can't install the printer at all on either laptop. I only managed to temporarily fix it again by spending 2 hours painstakingly removing and reinstalling the printer software encountering error after error... Then I applied the fix on the product page for this exact problem with limited results. (I can connect USB again, let's see how long it lasts) I am still unable to connect over wireless and after I restart I have to install EVERYTHING all over again.

I tried the latest HP Basic Drivers package on the product page, but that installation just errors out and the troubleshooter it automatically downloaded did not help. Under details of the error, it says "The System Cannot Find the Specified Path" and shows it was trying to find the X drive, which I do not have. (I could change my external Hard Drive letter to X:\, but that will cause more problems than it fixes)

My printer's warranty is expired so direct HP support is not an option for me.

I've always had this problem with the printer, but now it seems to be worse.

I can be considered an advanced user, so hit me with all the technical stuff you want.

System and Product Specs:

Compaq Presario CQ62-228DX

HP Deskjet F4580 All-In-One

Thanks in advance for anyone who tries to help!

[pcwizard]

Hi NicholasS, 

Try using the scrubber built into the CD or Download.

From Original installation CD:

1. Insert CD into drive, and then cancel the installer

2. Open My Computer, and then right click on the CD drive and chose open

3. Open folder Util

4. Open folder CCC

5. If you have an HP computer run the L3uninstall.exe. If you have a non-HP computer run the L4uninstall.exe

6. When the uninstall has completed restart the computer

7. Download the current version software from the link below

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=al-73705-2&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...

8. Run the downloaded software

If software was downloaded and extracted to your system:

1. Type %temp% in the run field

2. Look for, and open the folder starting with 7z (Example: 7zS2356)

3. Open folder Util

4. Open folder CCC

5. If you have an HP computer run the L3uninstall.exe. If you have a non-HP computer run the L4uninstall.exe

6. When the uninstall has completed restart the computer

7. Download the current version software from the link below

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=al-73705-2&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...

8. Run the downloaded software

[NicholasS]

pcwizard:

Thanks for the suggestion, but when I run the automated uninstall I run into an error at step 10 of 12: software/microsoft/active setup and the Windows critical error/program fault "program has stopped working, checking for solutions" box comes up. After I close the error message box, uninstall appears to continue with the other components. Hopefully this helps with diagnosis...

EDIT: When I try to re-install with the downloaded, updated package, I encounter the same error as before with the downloaded drivers: The System Cannot Find the File Specified.

Installation error log contents (as reported by the software):

The following lines were retrieved from the installation error logs.

+00000000000000086016|s|Now Launching+X:\hpzpnp40.exe -| XXX -f

"X:\hpoins46.dat" -Validate No at" -Validate No

LaunchApp("X:\hpzpnp40.exe"  -| XXX -f "X:\hpoins46.dat" -Validate No

at" -Validate No

Exit Code=2

I had to copy this by hand because I couldn't find the actual log.

It looks to me as though X:\ is still not defined like it should be at that point. (I'm good, but no professional)

I also had to manually remove the printer drom my device manager, most likely due to the errors that occurred.

[pcwizard]

Hi NicholasS, 

Install the printer on a different computer running Win 7 64-Bit, and let me know if you have the same issue?

[NicholasS]

That can be a problem...

The other Windows 7 Computer is 64 bit, but it's owner doesn't like me messing with it.

I'll try a clean install of windows off of my external hard disk, but I'll need some time for that.

[pcwizard]

Hi NicholasS, 

Sounds good, Keep me updated.

[NicholasS]

Starting to get slightly frustrated now...

Windows Installation does not support USB devices. Period. Sorry, but I'll have to stick to just my computer as it is. (3GB download before I could install, only to be told it won't work...)

As I did say above, though, the other computer appears to be having a similar problem but it can still use USB after waiting 15 minutes for it to reinstall every time.

I'm about to close this and chalk it up to HP's poor Windows 7 Support...

[pcwizard]

Hi NicholasS,

We need to verify that the printer hardware is functional before we keep attempting to install the printer. Need to install this printer on a different computer to see if you have the same issue. It sounds like you are having issues with the operating system on your computer. In order to assist you we need to isolate the issue do a common source.

[NicholasS]

The printer itself appears completely functional and prints (through USB) from the other computer, copies properly, scans through USB, etc. etc.

I've been experiencing A LOT of issues that I've been attributing to software problems lately... bad drivers, failing installs... now this...

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet, back up my irreplaceable data, and do a clean LINUX install. I've just about had it with Windows...

[pcwizard]

Hi NicholasS,

Ok, then it sounds like the operating system on this computer is contributing to the install failures you are getting. Let me know if you are able to install it once you switch to Linux.