Discussion:
HP Deskjet 3420 & Vista (Home Premium)
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ThomasPlaza
2007-03-22 21:20:03 UTC
Permalink
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.

Any solutions to my printer problems?

Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
Tek_Freek
2007-03-22 21:25:18 UTC
Permalink
According to HP the basic drivers for your printer are already in Vista.

http://tinyurl.com/2k7xrc

From their site:

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.

Tek
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.
Any solutions to my printer problems?
Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
Hugh Wyn Griffith
2007-03-23 02:10:11 UTC
Permalink
You could try setting Print direct to Printer in your printer
properties which would bypass the spooler and get you going.

A colleague has found that her problem was solved when she removed
Adobe Reader 7.8 from her machine .......

Worth trying if you have it installed. There is a AR 8 which I am using
with no printing problems. However a number of people had problems
installing it. You must have UAC turned on and use the Right Mouse
Click on the install file and Run as Administrator, if I remember
correctly.

Good luck -- tell us how you get on.
Bob Headrick
2007-03-23 04:45:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool.
Did you install the DeskJet 3500 drivers and then change the port type from
LOT to USB as shown at
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00808478&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=75040&lang=en ?

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging
Hugh Wyn Griffith
2007-03-23 22:09:50 UTC
Permalink
Did you install the DeskJet 3500 drivers and then change the port type from 
LOT to USB as shown at 
I assume that LOT is a typo for DOT?
Bob Headrick
2007-03-26 17:24:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Hugh Wyn Griffith
Post by Bob Headrick
Did you install the DeskJet 3500 drivers and then change the port type from
LOT to USB as shown at
I assume that LOT is a typo for DOT?
Sorry, it should have been LPT, I hit the spell check OK button too quickly.
Try installing the printer (using "Add Printer") as being connected to the
LPT1: port then change it later to USB as discussed at
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00808478&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=75040&lang=en

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging
Hugh Wyn Griffith
2007-03-27 21:21:33 UTC
Permalink
Thomas doesn't seem to have come back ....
DJ-VJ
2007-03-27 22:41:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.
Any solutions to my printer problems?
Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
DJ-VJ
2007-03-27 23:11:34 UTC
Permalink
HP Deskjet 3500 printer drivers will work fine with this printer.


1. Click Start and click Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound then Printers.
3. Click Add a printer. This launches the Add Printer Wizard.
4. Click Add a local printer.
5. Use the drop down arrow to select USB001 port. Click Next.
6. Select the Manufacturer as HP and the model as HP Deskjet 3500. Click Next.
7. Type in a name for the printer. This is the name that will appear under
the printer icon in the Printers folder. Click Next.
8. If you want to print a test page, click the Print a test page button.
Click Next.
9. Click Finish at the Summary window.
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.
Any solutions to my printer problems?
Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
DJ-VJ
2007-03-28 01:58:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.
Any solutions to my printer problems?
Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
Dan [MSFT]
2007-04-10 15:51:40 UTC
Permalink
I'm interested to know if printing from other places works correctly. Can
you print a page from notepad? I would try taking IE out of the equation to
verify the printer as the source of the problem.

Dan
Post by ThomasPlaza
I believe my printer is not compatible with Vista. It's an HP 3420 that I
purchased almost four years ago. I installed it on my computer with Vista,
but when I ask it to print files it does not send them to the spool. When I
try to print internet pages, a popup shows up on my computer that says: "A
website wants to open this program using your computer..." The program is the
spool directory. So I allow it, and nothing happens, and if I don't allow it,
nothing ALSO happens.
Any solutions to my printer problems?
Is it just that this printer is not compatible?
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