Printer problems

[Dudley]

Sorry guys, yet another query please. I have an HP 3310 All-in-One wireless printer which for the most part, works fine. However, after I do a successful scan, my computer can no longer find the printer and tells me 'printer not Found'. I have tried shutting down both the printer and my Dell Studio 17 laptop and restarting them but the only way I can get the laptop and the printer talking to each other again is to do a system restore. I have even tried uninstalling the printer and reinstalling the software from the HP website to no avail. When I purchased the printer, my laptop was on Vista so I don't have an installation disk for my present Windows7 operating system. I'm told using system restore too regularly is not advisable.

[AlBags]

Don't you have an HP software disc with a 'new' or 'connect' a device entry on it (like on my HP Pro 8000 disc)?
What (if anything) is showing in the Printers & Faxes folder off Start menu?
What does the Windows & Device Manager say (when you checked 'show hidden devices' in the View drop-down) under Printers .. Greyed out or black .. Properties for same (double click on) say what? Not connected?

[Dudley]

Thanks Al, the disk was for Windows Vista and now I have Windows7. I will have to check the items you suggest when it next happens but the screen when the user face is displayed says printer not connected once I have scanned something.

[AlBags]

Hi
Screen with User Face?!

Yes .. but surely the HP disc that came with the HP printer was for Vista/XP/Windows 7? You don't/shouldn't need the Windows 7 OS disc.
Please download the HP Print Diagnostic Tool and run it .. See what it says ... Make sure you select correct one .. 32 or 64bit (I think same tho)

http://h10025.www1.hp..._lang=&product=447857

[AlBags]

Just thought .. Try a different USB port if possible, too : )

[AlBags]

I just found this! ... Pertinent to your problem ... I think it will fix it ...

Use this patch .. known problems upgrading from Vista to Windows 7.
Make sure drivers and printer functionality OK before you install it.

http://h10025.www1.hp...oduct=447857&sw_lang=

[Dudley]

Thanks again Al.

I will try what you say, it sounds a like a strong possibility. Fingers crossed. By user face I meant the home screen of HP Solution Centre.

[AlBags]

C'mon Dudley .. I'm dying to find out if it worked!

[Dudley]

Sorry Al, been away for a few days, will be back at the weekend and try your suggestions then. Watch this space.

[AlBags]

OK Dudley : )

[Dudley]

No luck with that Al. I ran the checks and the HP Website confirmed all was working but as soon as I ran a successful test scan I got the 'Not Connected' message again.

[Dudley]

BTW Al, I tried rebooting my laptop and switching off and unplugging the printer as suggested by HP but as soon as I did another scan, I am back to normal with 'printer not connected'.

[Dudley]

Al, At least I can now get the printer working again (just as a printer) without doing a system restore although I haven't a scan facility. The printer is now saying 'unable to scan, copy or send a fax'. Some progress made then although a problem still exists for all but straight forward printing. Thanks.

[Dudley]

Final answer Al (I hope!). Somehow all is working again, including scanning. All I did was to switch off both laptop and printer and then back on one more time. Fingers and toes crossed. Thanks again for your help.

[AlBags]

Ah! Just remembered to check back on you .. what an ordeal!
Glad you know what to do if it disconnects.

I wonder if Windows is crowbarring it off because of power on USB ports.
This CAN happen .. and I advise looking into this if it continues. GL
Al.