Need computer help, lil techinical, drivers, etc.. geeks only :)
 

Ok geeks:)

I purchased an HP all-in-one office machine (Color Laserjet) and have it all ready. It currently works well as a fax machine/copier:)

The problem:

I try the install Cd I get to the point where it wants me to connect the USB cable. I do so and the detect ne harware window pops up and I eventually get this message "
Error "An error occurred during the installation of the device. The installation failed because a function driver was not specified for this device instance."

I retried and uninstalled a couple times to no avail.

I called HP tech support (and got a middle aged American dude!) but he claims it's not a problem w/their product (I agree).

Anyway , I did some searching and found that Win2K has this issue every now an then and it has to do w/ the registry. I deleted some vidxxxxx keys under USB but that did nothing.

Bottom line is I am lost... anyone understand what I'm saying?

Had the same problem years ago with one of their all-in-one machines and a dell laptop. I ended up finding some drivers on the web that worked, but the CD kept crapping out during the USB detection.

Ofcourse you fixed it and are typing out the step-by-step right:)

Do a search on some technical forums. Use the model of your computer and/or the model of printer in your search. I've done this in the past and usually found someone smarter than me who has figured out a solution.

Yep, that's what got me to delete the "vidxx" keys in the registry. CAn I safely delete ALL the vidxxxx keys in the USB folder? The way I understand it, these are the old drivers for devices.????

Sorry, i'm trying to remember. It's just been so long since having to deal with "drivers" and this thing you call a "registry." I feel dirty just typing that...

Sorry, i'm not being very helpful. I suck at posting.

I had this same problem with Win2000 and various devices, usually USB. I switched to WinXP Pro and Win2003 Server and have never had the problem again. Does your new printer have a parallel interface you could use instead of USB?

I finally fixed it an hour ago. You ready for this....






USB cable too long. Yea that's right, too long. I used extensions which worked fine for my previous printer and scanner. Well neither worked with this new all-in-one. Take off the extensions and pow off she goes:)

Strange days indeed. Problem now is a refrigerator size all-in-one on my desk.

I'm glad you got it figured out. I have many USB devices that act flakey on one port but work fine when I switch them to another port. USB is flakey... especially in Win2000

Now it is installed, can you revert to the long cable?

With the long cable desires, there are usb repeater cables that boost the signal. i personaly have 3 of these daisy chained together to give me a 15 meter (~49') cable.
here is a link to what i'm talking about repeater cable
i belive that you can use 4 in 1 go.
Hope this helps.

I have had some recent incidents that ultimately came down to insufficient power coming through the USB bus. That meager 5v gets sucked up quick, and it can cause unpredicatable behavior in devices that require more than one port, or if you have an unpowered hub attached.

I was told to try that and I did, but it didn't work.

what length is the long USB cable? have you tested with a different / new long cable? perhaps the cable is the issue?
if not, what port on the pc are you plugging into (front, back, keyboard, usb hub)? have you tested via a differnet port? what other devices do you have connected? sounds sort of like the power is being drained by another device.