Online 'Activation' of printer..is it necessary??

[jasta22]

Hello all

Hope you can help with some info - I've spent many hours searching online but can't find any reference to this topic.

I bought an HP Deskjet 1010 printer a few days ago for my father and when we went to install it on his pc the driver/software installation was in 3 steps; 'Prepare - Connect - Activate'.

All went well on the first 2 steps, but when the program went on to the 'Activate' part, all that was offered was a button marked 'Connect Online'.  Here's the problem... my father has no internet (and never intends to use it either). He simply wants to use his pc and printer to type up letters or create music cd covers. Nothing more, no internet ever needed.

All we could then do was to close the installation program. Despite all the installed software saying the printer was ready and the default, we can't print anything. Either nothing happens or there's a 'unable to start print job' message. So I'm asking if this printer needs online activation of some sort before it will even work at all??   I am aware that these days everything is geared towards using the internet, but surely as long as the driver software is installed and USB cable connected it should work immediately?

I took the printer home with me (I do have the internet) and installed it on my XP machine to see what happened during this 'Activate' part and all it did was to go to a blank screen - I was expecting the HP website and some sort of form to fill in. After nothing seened to be happening, I closed down the blank screen and tried to print and... it burst into life and worked just fine!

So does anyone know what's happening here; does this printer HAVE to be connected to the internet - even briefly - for it to 'activate'? If so, exactly what is being uploaded/downloaded to activate it (and can I get round it without going online).

If it does indeed need online activation, it should me made quite clear in the sales blurb - that fact alone would definitely have stopped me buying it in the first place, despite the many good reviews it gets.

Thanks in advance for any help

John

[X-23]

Hey @jasta22,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I understand that you're experiencing issue with printing to your fathers HP Deskjet 1010 Printer since installing the machine on his Windows Vista computer. I would like to assist you today with resolving this issue.

The 'Online Activation' step at the end of the install is only offered as an extra option after the install. It is meant to configure the Deskjet printer for the HP Connected ePrint services and apps. This 'Online Activation' can be skipped and doesn't affect the use of the printer at all. The HP Connected services will not work anyways because your father doesn't have internet access. Therefore, the issue with printing from his computer is being caused by something else. Can I please have you follow the steps below to resolve this printing issue.

Step 1: Uninstall Drivers:

It is important that we have a nice clean slate to work with for troubleshooting purposes. Therefore, I will have you remove any existing HP Software and Drivers from the computer.

Please disconnect the USB Cable before proceeding.

1. Click on the Start menu
2. Select All Programs
3. Select the HP folder
4. Select the HP Deskjet
5. Select Uninstall

Follow any onscreen prompts to complete the uninstall process. Once the Uninstall is complete please proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Clear Temp Files:

1. Click on the Start menu
2. In the 'search programs and files' box located right above Start after you click on it, type %temp% and hit enter on your keyboard
3. When the Temp folder opens, select Ctrl + A at the same time on your keyboard. Everything in this folder will now highlight.
4. Select the 'delete' button on your keyboard. The Temp folder contains temporary internet files. No actual files or folders on your computer will be affected by deleting the Temp files. Should a Temp file still be used than you will automatically get the pop up to 'skip' that item.
5. Close the Temp folder once it is emptied
6. Right click the Recycling Bin on your desktop and select Empty Recycling Bin

Once the files have been removed, please continue on.

Step 3: Reinstall Drivers:

1. Have you father insert the software CD in the computer
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall the printer
3. Only plug in the USB Cable when the installer prompts you to
4. At the end of the install, select the 'skip' option when it comes time for the 'Online Activation'
5. Once the installation is complete, please test printing again.

NOTE: With a USB Cable connection, ensure that the USB Cable is plugged directly into the computer. Avoid docking stations and USB extenders as they can create communication conflicts. If your father uses a desktop computer, please plug the USB Cable into the rear of the tower.

Please respond to this post with the result of your troubleshooting. Good luck! 🙂