Windows 7: Using XP Mode with HP Photosmart 8750

I recently bought a HP computer that uses Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit. My HP Photosmart 8750 worked great when I used my old computer that had my XP operating system. We all know that HP, for whatever reason, has decided not to support their 8750 printer when used with Windows 7. They offer no driver, only the one included with Windows 7. This is a $399 printer. The printer works great when I have the printer attached to my old computer with XP, but will not print graphics (which is why I bought it) when used with my new HP computer.

My question, finally: If I upgraded my copy of Windows 7 to Professional or Ultimate, and used XP mode, would my printer then work as if I was truly using my old computer with XP?

Thanks for any info anyone can offer.

lizzzi

If you have a little bit time, you could try if following these steps would allow you to print graphics directly from Seven:

• Create a System Restore point, in case something goes wrong
• Disconnect the printer from your computer
• Uninstall everything related to that printer
• Open Devices and Printers (Start Menu > Devices and Printers or Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers)
• Click Add a printer
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• Click Add a local printer, click Next
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• Choose Use an existing port > LPT1:, click Next
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• Click Windows Update button, to let Seven to download latest drivers. Wait a moment, it can take some time
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• When Seven has finished to update the printers list, choose HP from the left pane, and Photosmart 8700 Series (HP) from the right pane. Notice: for this series, two sets of drivers are offered. Use HP, not Microsoft
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• Follow the instructions given on screen. Do not connect your printer before installation asks it

This should work for you. However, if it's still not working as you'd like, you can always connect printer to XP Mode. Having some experience in both XP Mode and HP products, I can assure you are not going to have any problems doing this. When you have installed the XP Mode, simply install HP software, then connect the printer to XP Mode when HP software installation asks it.

You can then easily open your documents / images located on Seven directly from XP Mode's My Computer window, which shows the drives of your host machine. You can also print directly from Seven by adding the HP on XP Mode as a network printer.

In any case, when it's time to install the printer, come back if you have any questions.

Kari

Actually HP has this to say about that printer and Windows 7,

Installing the Product with the USB Cable and Using the Driver Located in the Windows 7 Operating System HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

and if that doesn't work you can always try the Vista driver for it,

HP Photosmart Full Feature Software and Drivers HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

that should work.

Well, I took a little bit of all the advice I had and made the printer work somewhat better. I downloaded the Vista 64-bit driver and installed it. I did set restore point first (and very glad I did). At first the downloaded driver would not install (it is the full Vista 64-bit set-up for the printer). Then it claimed it had installed the printer, but the system did not recognize my printer. So, I did a system restore. Part of what I installed could not be picked up again by the system, but the rest of it restored quite nicely. I still cannot print a graphic in "best" mode, but it will print in "fast draft" and...maintenance services are back so I can view ink levels.

In all fairness, I have to say, Kari, I forgot to uninstall the printer from Windows 7. Probably why I don't have everything. If I had done it completely following your instructions, no doubt I would be fine, but I didn't, so I must suffer for that. I do have a question, though. Why did the instructions say to connect to LP1, when the printer is USB?

This did take a great deal of time, but I'm glad to have an HP Toolbox again. Now I will look into using an XP Virtual mode. Will try Kari's instructions first. Thanks everyone for their help. I will continue to work on the problem to get a more complete solution.

lizzzi

Lizzi, I would try the method I described earlier once more. Try to follow the steps I described exactly as written. The drivers you get using this installation method are as far as I know the best for PS 8700 series printer. I don't have an 8700 printer but I have succesfully installed these drivers to a Windows 7 system on my neighbors computer, being able to to print high quality photos.

Why LPT1? The term LPT dates back to time even before Windows. It's short of Line Printer, originally meaning the so called parallel interface used to connect printers before USB was even invented. If you look at the available ports, you'll notice there's basically only LPT or COM ports available. Using a USB printer, it needs to be assigned an LPT port to communicate with computer.



Kari

Thanks, Kari.

I'm going to install the printer with your instructions exactly as you stated. I will print the instructions so I'll have them. As soon as some of the Christmas rush gets over with (next couple of days), I'm working on my printer. Can't stand having this huge Dell XPS with XP sitting here much longer. The Vista drivers didn't change a thing...so onward and upward. Will let you know the outcome.

Your assistance is truly appeciated.

Happy Holidays,
lizzzi