Xp and All-in-one question

Windows-XP, HP system
Printer: psc1350 (all-in-one).

My friends PC has the problem and i'm stuck.
On every bootup, XP starts trying to install All-in-one. Then shows an
error (see note 1 below). This repeats 3 times, each time i close the
window, XP will give an error (see note 2 below). Third time i close
the window, it quits.
How do i track down from where XP is attempting to install this software
so i can prevent XP from trying to do the install?

History:
He was having a printing problem, would only print the last page from a
multi-page web site.
HP said to do a restore point from a couple weeks ago. He did this and
then started getting the XP attempts to install.
A second call to HP resulted in the old default of doing a full re-install of
XP (not hardly!).

I have cleaned out all the caches, temp files, *.dat files (Spyder) and any
thing else i could think of but XP still attempts to install.
The C:\Temp folder had a lot of all-in-one files resident. They are gone now.

He is not on a network (but on the internet, obviously) and from what i
can tell, something about a network resource is missing.

Since he is not on a "network" (i'm assuming a home or small office
network), I question wether he needs the all-in-one but dont know what
effect it will have on his "normal" printing. He will be happy if it stops
trying to install all-in-one.

I'm not even sure that its a XP problem but if i can stop XP from trying
to do the install - problem solved.

Note 1:
Windows Installer (in blue bar):
Preparing to install
Gathering required information
Note 2:
(A new window opens)
AiOSoftware (in blue bar)
The feature you are trying to use is on a
Network resource that is unavailable.
Click on OK to try again, or enter an alternate path to a
Folder containing the installation package
‘aiosoftware.msi’ in the box below.
Use source:
C:\hp\tmp\src\setup\AiOSoftware\

If you click on OK an error msg shows:
AiOSoftware (in blue bar)

The path:
‘c:\hp\tmp\src\setup\aiosoftware\aiosoftware.msi\’ cannot be found. Verify that you have access to the location and try again or try to find the installation package "˜aiosoftware.msi’ in a folder from which you can
install the product AiOSoftware.
Neither the aiosoftware.msi or C:\hp\tmp\src\setup\AiOSoftware can be
found on his PC.

Any help appreciated,
savagcl

 

I use this little app for finding such pests http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer if you check all three auto start locations on the Menu, you will get a very long list of everything that loads with Windows. Right click on an item and you can get details about it and the option to delete it, but you need to be sure you know what you are deleting.

Have you tried HiJackThis, as it only shows items that are not standard Windows components and gives you the option to restore things you have deleted.

 

It could well be that he installed (yes, its a default setting) the HP automatic software update and this is responsible for the constant attempts to install what could be a newer or ammended version of his printer software. My approach to correcting this behavior (regardless of the actual cause) would be a little different although McTavish made a very good recommendation. I would uninstall the printer software with the printer disconnected and then run RegCleaner (google for jv tools RegCleaner download) and remove all the HP printer related registry entries. You'll have to be careful because its also an HP computer so you can't just take out everything HP related. Once complete, I'd reboot with the printer disconnected and then do a printer installation. You will be prompted during the installation as to when to connect the printer. You can also do a custom installation and elect not to include the auto update feature. Some of that HP all in one software can be pretty invasive so you are best to clean it up and redo rather than continuing to try to patch it up.

 

Both good replies, and thanks for the link.

I'll try both approaches and see what happens.

thanks again,
savagcl

 

i've experienced the same with a similar printer. spoolsv.exe had an error and was shut down. from there, the computer began to install the printer again. after that, the installer continued to try and install the printer again and again, dispite having been installed already. check and see if he has the same printer installed multiple times. if that is the case, delete extra printers and you should be fine.

 

jay low,

There is only 1 printer showing under the CP.

thanks,
savagcl