Vanity Help: Just Purchased a new laptop with Vista Installed

01/03/2007 | me

[HOTTIEBOY]

I just purchased a new laptop for the 17 yearold as she enters her senior year in highschool. Its a very cool Compaq model. The box that it came in has a big sticker on the side that says "Do Not Sell Until Janruary 30th 2007".

Vista.

Its running the new Vista system. So far it runs good. No problems have arised.

My question is with the wireless router that I bought and connected to my desktop. So far the router works great and the internet is working fine. From what I gather, I can also use the router to enable the laptop to use the printer that is hooked to the desktop. Is this true?

I also have an obsticle ~ the printer software is made for Windows XP. How would I go about getting the laptop with Vista to read the sotware for the printer? I have a HP printer. Should I contact them to see if they maybe have updates for their printers to inable them to run with Vista? I am going to check the HP website now to see if any updates are available. I would think that they would be or else every printer on the shelves now are useless if running Vista.

Forgive my puter ignorance. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[tubebender]

Vista help needed her..

[tubebender]

Vista help needed here..

[A CA Guy]

Most of that kind of stuff is downward compatible and should work off of XP I would think.

[A CA Guy]

Aren't you glad you didn't pay three times for for a Mac?

[JennysCool]

Your printer should work fine. HP undoubtedly has the software on its website.

[HOTTIEBOY]

I tried to insert the CD that came with the HP printer but it will not read. The CD is compatible with Windows XP.

[Tribune7]

The printer is hooked via USB and printsharing is enabled?

As far as drivers, you wouldn't use the XP software.

A driver likley came with Vista if your printer is a fairly common one. If not, you might have to check the HP website to down load one.

If not you may be able to use a generic one.

[A CA Guy]

Not an issue, just go to HP and use the fast Internet to download the newest software for free.

Also look for nice fat oily finger prints on the reading side of the CD which makes them ALL unreadable.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to leave a CD unreadable with grease from hands.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Basically what I am saying is ~ the laptop runs Vista but the printer ans its software are compatible with XP.

[HOTTIEBOY]

The grease on my hands is not grease. Its motorcycle juice.

But I understand what you mean, the CD is clean.....

[Echo Talon]

Check hp.com to see IF they updated drivers for Vista, alot of hp drivers and already inside of Vista... what model do you have? also a good site to help you out is

http://www.vistababble.com/forums/

http://www.vistababble.com

Enjoy. ;)

I have a HP PSC1315V all-in-one and it works fine without ANY drivers from HP I just plugged it in and Vista installed all the drivers for it automatically.

[A CA Guy]

I'm going to leave shortly, but again leave the model of HP printer and I'll see if I can quickly find you the most recent link to the free software.

Write it down immediately and I'll see what I can link you right now.

[KoRn]

Don't install the printer directly to the laptop. Go into the printer properties on the desktop and share the printer. From the laptop you should b able to connect to it across the network. You may have to disable windows firewall for this, and make sure both computers are on the same workgroup. This way would be more convenient, and you wont have to bother with drivers. Just make sure the desktop is powered on when printing needs to be done from the laptop.

[Tribune7]

Basically what I am saying is ~ the laptop runs Vista but the printer ans its software are compatible with XP.

The printer is probably compatible with Vista too.

Vista probably has some sort of "add printer" protocol like XP. Try that and see if your printer comes up.

[A CA Guy]

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

Go to the above, click the download button and type in your printer.
Then hit the arrow on the right and you will go to your printer driver/software support page.

If HP doesn't have it, you are toast.

[HOTTIEBOY]

DeskJet F300 copy/print/scan

Thats an idea. I will check the laptop to see if the F300 is already in there. They have lists of printers to select, right?

[HOTTIEBOY]

DeskJet F300 copy/print/scan

[Echo Talon]

OH, If you are trying to do "network" printing now that I'm not sure about as I have never even tried to do that on any of my boxes... I have my HP printer hooked up directly.. VIA USB...

[Echo Talon]

At this time there is not a downloadable full-feature Windows Vista driver solution available for your product.

The short-term driver solution is included in your Windows Vista Operating system and is already on your computer. There is no need to download anything at this time. This driver makes it possible to use the basic functions for the printer and can be used until the full-feature driver is available. Follow the steps below to quickly and easily get your product working with Windows Vista.

HP is currently working to make the HP full-feature driver solution available as soon as possible.

NOTE:

HP wants to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information on the drivers and software for your HP products. To register for HP Subscriber’s Choice and be notified when Windows Vista drivers become available, click Get e-mail notifications – drivers updates on the left navigation bar of this page.

Installing the printer driver

1. Verify that the printer is turned on.
2. Connect the Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable to the printer and to the computer.
3. A Your devices are ready to use window might display on the screen. If the window displays and does not close automatically, close the window.
4. Print a test page to verify that the printer is working correctly.

Using the printer functions

Printing

1. Open the document to be printed in the software application in which it was created.
2. Click File and then click Print.

Scanning

Scanning with Windows Fax and Scanning

1. Click Windows.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Click Windows Fax and Scanning.
4. Click New Scan.
5. Click File and then click Scan.

Scanning with Paint

1. Click Windows.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Click Accessories.
4. Click Paint.
5. Click File and then click From Scanner or Camera.
6. Click Scan.

Importing and viewing images on a memory card

1. Remove the memory card and then re-insert the memory card into the appropriate memory card slot on the printer.

   NOTE:

   See the User Guide that came with the printer for more information on how to insert the memory card in the printer.

2. On the Autoplay screen that displays, click Import Pictures, View Pictures, or Open folder to view files.
3. Follow the instructions that display on the screen.