This Computer Dunce Desperately Needs Help!

my own pea-brain | truthkeeper

[truthkeeper]

Okay, I'm an idiot. Now that we've established that, can anyone help me figure out what is freaking out my computer? I'm in a really bad fix because I work in a law office and because of this problem our e-filings are at a standstill. Naturally it falls on me to fix this, because the attorney is even more clueless than I am. We have a Windows 2002 system...I think...hooked to an HP Laserjet 3030 all-in-one printer/scanner/fax. Three times in the last two weeks I have gotten the message "Not set up on PC" in the little scanner window when I have gone to scan something. The first time the attorney's son just reinstalled the printer software and it cleared it. The second time that didn't work, so I spent 2 hours on the phone with an HP tech. I couldn't even began to list all the paces he put me through (disconnecting cables, searching through files, uninstalling, reinstalling, etc.). Anyway, he finally got the thing up and running for me.

Well, today it happened AGAIN and I am near tears as I type this. We simply cannot have this happening over and over. I have a strong suspicion that this problem is somehow linked to either the Norton Anti-Virus or ZeroSpyware scanning systems. Both were running today and I downloaded the most recent updates to Norton. Both systems noted errors or problems and put stuff in quarantine. I couldn't even begin to recall what.

Anyway, is it possible that one or both of these scanning systems are reading the HP software as a problem and disabling it? Each time this occurred a scan had been conducted shortly before.

Then again, maybe I'm completely off base. Can anybody help?? It's bad enough that I'll have to come in this weekend and contact customer service (Zerospyware (no live support unfortunately), Norton, and HP) to try and resolve this issue, but even worse is the thought that it will come back yet AGAIN in the future. We just can't afford the downtime, it really shuts the place down.

ANY ideas or suggestions would be greatly and kindly appreciated. THANKS

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Dump Norton and the other one, download AVG free. Norton caused me so many problems I never want it again. Run an online scan from Bit Defender occassionally, and download SpywareBlaster.

[Uri’el-2012]

Buy a Mac!

[patton]

Is the computer an HP, along with a HP PSC 500? Because the two don't work together.

[dinasour]

Both Norton and HP printer drivers have gone downhill lately.

It should be possible to disable Norton temporarily by right clicking on the icon in your system tray (the little icons on the lower right where the clock is).

I am not familiar with your spyware program, but if you can't disable it, it is probably safe to uninstall it (just don't download any spyware until your problems are resolved).

You probably will need to then reinstall the printer and scanner software.

What are you actually trying to do. If your business is on the line and you need to fax something, go buy a cheap conventional fax machine that does work.

[KoRn]

I wouldn't expect the antivirus to be the issue here. Firewalls can cause issues, make sure your spyware application isn't blocking anything.

Being a business, you may have to break down and spend some money on a pro to come out and evaluate your situation and offer solutions. You can't afford to be in a spot like this with work to do and not have professional IT help, be it from your own staff or another source.

Respectfully, you shouldn't have to post on FR for help with your company's system. Don't post here for IT issues, get it fixed! You have an office that needs to be running.

[dfwddr]

If your printer and scanner are hooked up in series, just go into BIOS and change you Parallel Port setting to EPP. I've seen this work before on incompatible hardware.

If you need further details, FReepmail me.

[tomkat]

Absolute agreement w/KoRn.
Unless you signed on as a techie, no way should you be saddled w/this stuff.

If they're so penurious/ignorant to not see the cost/benefit of bringing in IT help when needed, bail asap.

(footnote: understand beforehand that >50% of lawyers are loathsome creatures)

[truthkeeper]

Thanks to all. This is helpful information. Yes, I totally agree that I shouldn't be stuck with this problem. (Me, of all people...the most non-tech person alive.) Yes, the attorney is a cheapskate, but you would think she would see how this is impacting the business.

[truthkeeper]

Are BitDefender and SpywareBlaster free, or do I need to purchase them? Can they be downloaded off the Internet?

[truthkeeper]

The HP "all-in-one" PSF is a model 3030. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what the computer is. Can I find out by checking the system? Where would I look? (The system was built in October, so it's new.)

[truthkeeper]

Thank you for that input. I was kind of thinking I might have to do all that until this can be resolved (like until we can actually get a TECH person in here to fix this mess). I am trying to scan a signature page over to the court through the e-file system; then I have to move the scanned document into my client file. It's bad when this happens because filing comes to a standstill.

[truthkeeper]

When I talk to the HP guy I am going to mention your suggestion. (I'm afraid to do it myself.) Thanks for your input.

[truthkeeper]

Unless you signed on as a techie, no way should you be saddled w/this stuff.

You said a mouthful. I don't want this on my plate! As for lawyers, I know what you mean...I'm a paralegal so I get to see it up close and personal. Unfortunately, I work for a sole practitioner who's preparing for retirement and doesn't like to spend money.
Sigh...I know, I know...ridiculous...