HP psc 1350xi connection

[DavePsGarage]

I have a legacy HP psc 1350xi and am trying to connect it to a new desktop running Windows XP (32-bit) by connecting it to a USB port. Unfortunately I do not have the original 1350 CD startup disk for Windows.

Prior to the failure of the hard drive (C drive) in my previous desktop computer my HP psc 1350xi was running fine with Windows XP and a USB connection.

Downloaded a new driver from HP. First tried the full function (343 mb) version gc_w01_ENU_NB and when that would not work tried the reduced (36.8 mb) driver drv_gc_wo1_ENU_NB. Tried to activate them (one at a time) and got the indication that they went through 100% extraction, but nothing after that. 

Rebooted the computer. Then connected and powered up the psc 1350xi.  (Also switched out the USB cable and tried again numerous times.)  The "Found New Hardware Wizard" pops up. It asks for a CD with the software for this printer. Made a CD with gc_w01_ENU_NB on it. Did not work. Tried the same with the reduced driver. Did not work. Then tried to use "Install from a list or specific location" feature of the Wizard. Used the properties list for the file the software is in on the C drive. Did not work. The indication I get is "The location you specified does not contain any device information files. Please enter another location or uncheck the 'include location in the search box.'" Since the psc 1350xi is a plug and play device, I question why the "New Hardware" wizard should pop up, other than the software drivers cannot be located at all.

Meanwhile the psc 1350 does not appear in the control panel window for printers.  What does appear is "Send to OneNote 2007" (with the check indicating it is the default printer) and "Microsoft XPS Document Writer."

Clues or hints????

[JonW]

Hi  DavePsGarage,

It looks like you are having problems running the install that has been downloaded.

Were there any error messages that came up when you ran the installation or did the install just extract and then quit.

The extraction should have copied the basic drivers to the hard drive of your PC.

You could try looking for them by opening the Command Prompt and typiong %TEMP% and then hit the (return key)

This will open an exploere window than you should then be able to look into the directoryies for one that starts 7Z this will contain the extracted install, you can try running the setup from there by Double Clicking it.

I hope this points you in the right direction.

[DavePsGarage]

JonW

Thanks for the time and help. I got no indications of any download problem associated with the drivers when I downloaded them. Everything appeared to be "cool."

Found that the drivers downloaded on the C-drive. They were located at \Documents and Settings\Preferred\My Documents\Downloads.  Double clicked on the Icon for the full feature driver (343 mb) and got an Extraction progress meter that with a little time went to 100% and then shut off.  No other indications that anything had occurred or that the extracted software had been moved to a different location. However, when I now right click on the Icon and select "properties" I get the following info from the Versions tab:

.

File Version 1.0.0.0

Description: HP Web Pack

Copyright: Hewlett-Packard Company

Company: Hewlett-Packard Company

File Version 1.0

Internal Name:7zS.sfx

Original File Name: 7zS.sfx

Product Name: HP Web Pack

Product Version: 1.0

Does that indicate that it is now the extracted version installed on the disk?  Should I move it to some file location other than the C drive Documents and Settings\Preferred\My Documents\Downloads?

I tried your suggestion of opening the Command Prompt (via "All Programs" then "Accessories" followed by "Command Prompt." It came up as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\Preferred>  followed by a blinking underline which I took to be an invitation to input. I typed %TEMP% and hit the Enter (return) key. The response I got was:

'TEMP' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I also went to the Windows search mode and looked for file or folder on the C drive that contained "7z". Nothing found.

Any further ideas???

[JonW]

HI there,

Sorry to miss guide you.

When you open a command prompt you will need to Type in CD\%TEMP%.

Then to open an explorer window you will need to type Explorer this should open a new window for you.

I hope this helps you better than last time.

[DavePsGarage]

Hi JonW

Further info. I ran the HPPDU.exe diagnostic Utility 4.1 on my system. It did not recognize my HP psc 1350xi in the table that came up. (The table had no entries.)  A note said, "If the printer you want to troubleshoot is not listed then it is not currently installed on this computer. Locate the installation CD or download the latest software from www.hp.com and then install the printer on this computer."

I pulled the USB cable to the printer & got the normal change of status "bonk" sound. I reconnected the cable and got a "bonk" sound again and the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appeared on the screen. Canceled it.

Powered down the psc 1350xi and got a "bonk" sound again. Pulled the USB cable. Nothing. Reinserted the USB cable. Nothing again. Powered up the psc and got the "bonk" sound and the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appeared again. Noted that the New Hardware Wizard says "Helps to install software for hppsc 1300 series."

Sure looks to me as if the whole problem involves getting the software to be recognized in conjunction with the hardware. It appears as if the hardware is being acknowledged by the system.

[JonW]

Hi,

The printer you have needs the drivers that are contained in the download to work correctly.

You will need to plug the USB cable in and when the wizard come up talk about adding drivers you need to direct it to where the drivers are on your PC.

The drivers should be in the TEMP driectory (%TEMP%) under a directory that starts 7Z.

[DavePsGarage]

Hi again JonW

This will be significant in just a bit. I went to the software icon for the 343 mb download from HP and right clicked on it and then selected properties. To ensure that I had located the file correctly I then directly copied the location and have pasted it in as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\Preferred\My Documents\Downloads

In accordance with your suggestion I started the command prompt again. It said:

C:\Documents and Settings\Preferred>

and the right arrow was followed by the blinking cursor. I typed in CDI\%TEMP%  to get:

C:\Documents and Settings\Preferred>CDI\%TEMP%

Then I hit the Enter key. The response was:

.

"The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

Hmmm

Might a possible solution be to move the downloaded software up a couple of levels into the Preferred file or even the Documents and Settings file?

[JonW]

HI,

The Stuff to type in is CD\%TEMP% not CDI\%TEMP%.

Moving the file will not really help.  You need to extract the files from the download to enable you to install the drivers.  For this you can use a free download called 7zip.

You can try installing this program and see if you are able to open the archive.

Does this make sense?

[DavePsGarage]

JonW

I understand your plan of action.

Side comment: I used CD\%TEMP% and not CDI\%TEMP% as I indicated in my message. The message was a typo that got copied and repeated several times.  The responses I got to the command prompt in which I correctly used CD\%TEMP% were as I indicated.

I downloaded the free 7zip (which I am already starting to regret since accept it has resulted in changeing my home page, adding Bling as my search engine, changing my tool bar, and opening pop-up windows with shopping offers etc. ) So far it hasn't made any difference in extracting my software.  Everything including 7zip has downloaded into that same chain.

I'll keep trying, but I'm beginning to lose hope of getting the hp driver download to link to the hardware.

[JonW · Accepted solution]

Hi there

Firstly, sorry about filling your PC full of unsable software and breaking your search functions.

Are you able to right click on the file you download and choose 7zip extract?

If so, extract the files to a directory and then piont the hardware install wizard at that directory when you plug in the USB cable.