Unable to set default printer

[ocrjane]

Using an HP All-in-one office jet 4315, connected by USB to HP Pavilion laptop running Vista Home Premium SP 1.

Ever since I renewed my antivirus software, I have not been able to assign a default printer from the laptop.  Uninstalled and reinstalled printer SW, contacted HP and got printer diagnostic utility -- diagnosed no issues.  The utility even allowed the option to set the newly diagnosed printer as the default, which I attempted, and there is still no default printer.  Can print test page, and can print from software that allows me to select a printer, but -- for instance -- the tax program I use (and need RIGHT NOW) does not allow me to set up a printer unless there is a printer showing.

Also, excel (Excel 2003) gives me a warning message that no printer is installed and unable to print a worksheet from excel.

This laptop/printer combination worked prior to Norton update (last Aug) and I have been using it connected to another desktop in the meantime, but need to print out the tax return (which is on the laptop).  I cannot even print to file from the tax software as even that requires a recognized printer.

Any suggestions?

[brownselah]

did you ever get a response to this problem?  I'm having similar issue with officejet j4550?????

[SeanS]

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brownselah wrote:

did you ever get a response to this problem?  I'm having similar issue with officejet j4550?????

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Hey there. Im not sure if you noticed but the original post from this thread was from 2009. Could you provide me some more details regarding your issue? Info like what operating system you are using, what model printer, etc; is very helpful to provide you a solution.

Thanks!

Sean

[DGR59]

My HP Officejet J5750 All-in-One (running on Vista) has had all of these problems for the last few weeks ever since some glitch (perhaps caused by Office updates?) occurred.

I have twice uninstalled and re-installed the full software from the HP website after running the diagnostic tool that said I have a registry issue but cannot set a default printer, the HP Solution Center says "no HP devices have been detected and will close now" although sometimes it seems like it opens ultra-fast then shows that box.  I can print a Word document but have to choose the printer, cannot print preview or print an Excel file (says I have to add a printer) and same problem with a PDF file that I have opened with Adobe Reader. 

When I check for updates, says everything is updated.  I have used Clary Utilities to try to fix registry problems, not really sure if this is an HP problem or Window problem.

Is this fixable?  I'm at wits end!