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Topic: Repairing a Win7 rig |
Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 12 Jul 2015 8:44 am |
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On my Lenovo Win7 rig, my printer died. I bought a cheap HP. It would not install. Over & over & over---I tried everything. After 5 hours of self-diagnosing via HP's site and attempting everything I could, I put my system in the remote hands of an HP tech.
We had a 2 hour session and he got no farther than I did, coming up with the same error message. He went very deep into the system and messed with a lot of permissions and pathways.
He did find an system error via scannow that could not get fixed. No telling if it is the problem or just something else that is wrong.
My Win7 is fully up to date.
I tried a system restore to a point before I started trying to install the printer and it failed. I forget what the message said. If it important I can do the procedure again. All the other restore points are printer-installation related.
My computer runs well enough except for the printer issue.
I found a disc that I burned 3 years ago when I got this computer labeled 'Lenovo Repair disc'.
What might this disc do? Could it screw things up? Can it repair Windows? i want to run this disc but not until I know if it is advisable.
I don't have the chops to go deep inside the system and I don't want to destroy what IS working.
I do want to have a printer/scanner up and running. |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 12 Jul 2015 2:45 pm
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In all likelihood, that's a disk designed to repair the Lenovo OEM version of Windows.
You'd presumably boot from it and make a menu choice telling it to repair your installation.
It's another question whether it will solve your printer issue.
You may also have a restore partition somewhere on the Lenovo hard drive that would allow you to restore to factory state---which would mean you'd have to reinstall all applications and back up your personal data. That may or may not resolve your printer issue.
Were you trying to install the printer using solely the Windows built-in driver? That might work, if you instead had concentrated on using some HP driver.
You've got more nerve than I do by allowing some HP support yokel to have access to my PC. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 12 Jul 2015 3:09 pm
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| Quote: |
You've got more nerve than I do by allowing some HP support yokel to have access to my PC. |
It was not a comfortable decision, to say the least, but I already knew it was a tough problem and there was not going to be any hope of progress if it was just me following prompts. I watched the guy zipping around on my screen and I could see that he had some chops. But each time he tried the install, the exact same error message popped up, meaning that for all his razzle dazzle, he wasn't getting one step farther than I'd already gotten.
I need full functionality of this all-in-one printer/scanner so I need more than just windows drivers.
I've got full backup on an external drive so I may go for a full restore--yes, I have a Lenovo partition that I think may be identical to the disc I burned when I go this rig. Not sure how to do it but I'll look it up & learn.
Thanks for chiming in. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 12 Jul 2015 6:57 pm
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Have you ruled out that the printer itself isn't the problems? In the past, I had problems with both HP and Epson all-in-one printers. This was a while ago, but I took each of them back and ended up with a Canon. It was the only one I could get to work. That was either Windows 98 or Vista. It might be worth it to return it to the store and try a new one, or even a different brand or model.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Dave Potter
From:
Texas
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 5:28 am
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I'd personally not pursue any of the "system restore" or "repair disk" avenues, because I don't think that's the issue, if, as you say, everything else operates properly. It sounds like something specific to either the printer or the driver you're trying to install. My current printer IS an HP, and it works pretty well. But I have noticed that HP drivers can be a little "quirky" and difficult to deal with.
Have you confirmed that the printer is fully compatible with Win7? Where did the problem driver come from? Did it come on a disk with the printer, or did you download one from somewhere? What's the process you're attempting to install it? Are you double-clicking a "setup.exe" file, or something else? I'd look on HP's support site for the most current driver for that printer, in any event.
What kind of connection does the printer use? Is it USB or something else? Sometimes with USB devices, you don't even need to run any driver install routine - Windows will automatically install whatever is required when you just plug the device in and turn it on, although with a multi-function device, that may not be possible.
Without knowing what specific errors are occurring, it's hard to offer more specific suggestions.
Oh, and I'd never be willing to allow a stranger access to my computer.  |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 5:43 am
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It could still be a "deep" OS problem and a restore ultimately may be needed.
You say it runs well except for the printer installation problem, but there may very well be other issues that you are not aware of.
Without any specific error messages, we can't really make any "educated guesses" as to the problem or severity of problems. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 10:14 am
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I would still take the printer back and try a new one, or a different brand and see what happens before I started restoring or reinstalling Windows. If you bought it from a reputable dealer, they will allow returns without much flack.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 12:04 pm
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To randomly fill in some info and address some points:
I actually had the printer printing out some test sheets before things got messed up trying to install the software. It was hooked up via usb. I couldn't get it on my wifi...presumably because the software was not installed. And I could not access any functions such as the scanner.
It isn't the printer--it is the installer--that is creating problems.
Believe me--it was VERY reluctantly that I allowed the dude into my computer. It was that or...nothing. This was not going to get fixed via telephone.
I found the specific error message on google and the proposed solutions were way, WAY beyond me. I can't present the message here now because the computer is in the middle of an Acronis restoration--I'm on my Chromebook.
Things really went south this morning. Couldn't get it online, couldn't get my Norton AV running. Clearly something is very wrong. How much relates to the HP installer, how much relates to the HP tech stomping around inside, how much relates to some underlying system problem that caused this problem to begin with.....your guesses are better than mine because my guesses are worthless.
I'm even over my head with this restoration---here's hoping the thing even works when it's done. The Acronis instructions/terminology absolutely suck. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 2:58 pm
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For a shuck, open the installation disk in a window to view the contents. Find setup.exe and right click on it. Select Run as administrator and see if this fixes the problem.
You may have to type in your Windows 7 admin password to proceed.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 3:21 pm
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I've also tried downloading the installation package from the HP page. The results are identical to running it from from the CD.
I'm back on the restored computer--seemed to go ok.
This here is the error:
| Quote: |
| Call to DrivePackageInstall returned error -536870141 for package 'C:\Program Files\HP\HP ENVY 4500 series\DriverStore\NGScanDriver\HPWIA+EN4500.INF' |
I tried another installation go-round and the printer problem is unchanged.
The online dude seemed real confident that he could whup this by changing a slew of permissions. 2 hours later and his results were 100% identical to what I'd been getting. |
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Dave Potter
From:
Texas
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Posted 13 Jul 2015 5:01 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| The Acronis instructions/terminology absolutely suck. |
Which is the reason I dumped Acronis years ago and moved to Macrium Reflect.
The error you reference suggests to me that the installer is looking for the .inf file it needs on your C: drive, when it's actually elsewhere, most likely on the CD drive you're using. That's reminiscent of the HP driver issues I referenced earlier. I'd try to re-direct that part of the installation. If that's not possible, I'd attempt to RIGHT-click that .inf file, wherever it is (CD?), and see if there's an option to "Install" in the drop-down that might appear. If none of that bears fruit, I'm afraid I'm out of altitude and airspeed at this juncture. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 14 Jul 2015 2:40 am
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Connecting first, without running the install program first can screw up an installation. Windows can (and does in many cases) install an incorrect driver.
I would uninstall whatever you have now, restart the PC and then do a new install and FIRST install the HP software/drivers and ONLY connect the printer when the install program tells you to.
May even be a good idea to use a program such as Revo Uninstaller Pro to uninstall what HP software/drivers you have now as it will also do a registry search and allow you to delete that data and also any left over files.
http://www.revouninstallerpro.com/
Dave, I dumped Acronis True Image for Macrium about two years ago. Acronis failed me twice trying to restore, it didn't get a third chance. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Jul 2015 3:34 pm
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I just wanted to thank everyone who has offered help & suggestions. I'm still working on this. The good news is that my system is running well enough although there are some quirks that are ticking me off. No question, when Mr. HPTech got his hammy fists on my system, he did NOT return it to the state in which he found it.
And the bad news is that the printer software will still not install.
I still have some things I will try.
I know this is grasping at straws but I wonder if the Windows 10 that Jack posts is scheduled for 7/29 release will give me a cleaner system to work with. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 12:18 pm
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It would be nice if this can be the final update:
My old printer (whose death started all this) crapped out with an error message saying I should unplug it immediately and take it to a service center. I'm not going to spend a cent on servicing a $100 printer and I'm pretty much writing off the thing as toast--probably an electronic burnout.
But after some quick research today that I was too stupid to do right from the start I found that it was probably a print head thing and I found a tutorial for removing the head and cleaning it.
Sucker's running again. Problem may have been cheap ebay ink carts or it may have been laying idle for too long in summer heat.
Anyway, I like this Canon printer/scanner and I'm happy to say it is back up & running.
So after too many lost hours and after learning that I will never again buy an HP, hopefully we can close the books. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 1:28 pm
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| Quote: |
| So after too many lost hours and after learning that I will never again buy an HP, hopefully we can close the books. |
I'm glad you brought this up. I will never buy another HP product. I had a desktop computer from HP that was a pile of crap. Had trouble trying to get an HP printer to work with my wifi network. No luck. Took the printer back to Best Buy and got the Canon I have now. Works with everything I have that has Wifi. Dell Desktop, Lenovo Laptop, Android phone, and an iPad.
HP is close to the top of my "do not buy" list.
I'm glad you got your Canon to work.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 1:41 pm
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Before now, if you had asked, I would have said that all computer hardware is pretty generic and probably all has hits & misses with plenty of anecdotal evidence to support loving and hating on any maker. I'm sure there are people who have sworn off Canon.
But now I'm inclined to believe that there really can be a difference. This morning I was all set to buy another Canon. Now, instead, I'm back in the driver's seat with the old one. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 1:51 pm
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There are "horror stories" about all vendors. One person can swear by a vendor and another can swear at that same vendor and won't buy that brand.
I have both a HP all in one and an Epson all in one. I haven't had problems with either. However, the HP ink is easier to find than the Epson. None of the warehouse clubs carry ink for my Epson but all carry ink for my HP.
I do some PC support and my clients have many different brands. I don't see any difference in hardware reliability between them. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 1:57 pm
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Yeah, Jack--there you go.
But all it takes is one bad experience to convince you that it's not just that you are a statistic (even if a company has a 98% success rate, there are still going to be 2 people in every hundred who are convinced that this company is the devil).
Your perspective is a good objective reminder. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 6:09 pm
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_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 16 Jul 2015 6:18 pm
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As amazing as this may sound, the worst computer I have ever owned is my Dell. It has been a real piece of crap. Stuff keeps breaking down. Yesterday morning, I spent a couple hours trying to get it booted up. It had to restart because of an update.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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