HP Printers, Awesome... HP Software, Not So Much!  

This is pretty much how I feel about them and pretty much in that order.

So we had an HP M2727nf All-in-One working through the network but little by little it has deteriorated, to the point that the bottom & upper trays no longer works so we use the middle small tray.

We bought a new All-in-One for Networking purposes and there is no other way but to install their bloatware but ok, no big deal, I can deal with that and the OCR scanning software of the newer model is way better than the M2727nf. OK, all is good, I trim a little of the bloatware fat and on the way we go.

Now, the old M2727nf still performs its printing duties more than adequate so I decide to use it as my default printer but these asshats want me to install the full suite solution software as well instead of having the option to install only a printer driver so I can print... WTF?

Is there anyway to bypass this and just use it as a printer?

See if this page has what you're looking for:

Software & driver downloads HP LaserJet M2727nf Multifunction Printer | HP® Support

Thanks guys, I already been there a few times. I have even managed to download the PCL6 driver by itself but no way it lets me use the printer... weird because it has a checked mark on the drivers an Xs on the Scan, Fax, which I don't care for.

I will continue to try to do a custom install and hope the other crap does not load with it.

Assuming you know you can uninstall all the crap after the fact (or you can create a disk image to return to) this might work...

HP bloatware is all application stuff that gets installed along with the drivers you need. So, after it;s all installed use DoubleDriver to back up all the drivers on your machine. Uninstall everything (including bloatware) then install the HP driver from the DoubleDriver backup

ComputerGeek said:

Assuming you know you can uninstall all the crap after the fact (or you can create a disk image to return to) this might work...

HP bloatware is all application stuff that gets installed along with the drivers you need. So, after it;s all installed use DoubleDriver to back up all the drivers on your machine. Uninstall everything (including bloatware) then install the HP driver from the DoubleDriver backup

At this juncture, I have nothing to loose so I might try that tomorrow as well... hopefully, that is freeware as I don't plan on buying anything to get this printer to work.

The Howling Wolves said:

Try unplugging your printer's power cable and the usb connection to your computer.
Then reboot/ plug in the power cable and usb connection and let Windows 7 find your printer.

I had to do this with my Canon all in one and Win 7 found it. Been working ever since.
THW

I do believe I tried that as well. Again, I tried so many things that I don't really know whether that was the first thing I tried.

I believe what happens is that, since this is an All-in-One printer, w7 tries to load all of the drivers (Fax & Scan) and when it does not find it, it starts to put Xs to it and it does not allow me to use printer only. Or HP, in their infinite wisdom, decided that you had to load all or nothing. But again... I will give it another go tomorrow.

Thanks guys.

DoubleDriver is free so no problem there!

Also, just fyi, should you not already know. DoubleDriver only backs up the driver package so there's no EXE device install app.. You can see How to backup your drivers (and reinstall them later when needed!) - TechSpot Forums

Well, came in this morning and windows update had an HP update for my M2727nf printer... imagine that!

it failed twice so I decided to turn the printer off and unplug the usb cable as suggested. restarted windows, went to look for the update but it was not there, turn the printer back on, connected the usb driver and this time the update was there and the installation went well.

It appears the update only installed the print driver but I also have the hp tools and scan capabilities but not the bloatware and since there are no errors or warning in Device Manager I guess I can call that a win!

Thanks guys