Can't get HP Deskjet 656c to work on Windows 7

Hi guys, here's my 2nd post to this forum, I need help getting my old crappy printer to work on Windows 7. I'm using a HP Desktop 656c and there aren't any Vista drivers so the only one i have is for XP.

First of all, i'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit build 7600 (final). It's genuine and everything, not pirated. Anyway i tried installing the XP drivers for my printer but it doesn't work.

I tried using TroubleShoot and tried to install my printer from the list of the pre-loaded ones but doesn't work either, i really need to get my printer working for this......


I also have another printer that i got it to work but it's really expensive to maintain it since it won't work unless all your inks are filled, i posted this problem in another topic so i'll link to it here, i hope someone can help me fix this:

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just tried that, doesn't work. After i chose Windows Update, it shows a few more printer models in the HP category to choose from, but it doesn't have 600 series, it has 6600 as well as the Photosmart model, whereas mine is Deskjet model.......anyway i chose the Deskjet 6600 series but it still doesn't work.....

also, out of curiosity, how does that even work? Because at the start when you click "Add printer ", the first option asks if you want to install a local printer that doesn't connect to your PC by USB, but printers like you and mine both DO connect to PC using USB, so i just find it weird how all this works out........coz the thing is, when i plugged in the USB from my printer to my PC for the very first time, it automatically detects and tries to find the printer driver and installs it, and it installed fine, it popped up a box showing all the stuff being installed have done so successfully, with the green ticks next to them. But if i send something to the printer to print, nothing shows up under the "See what's printing "...

edit:

Also, do i choose LPT1 or COM1 port? I chose both but they both don't work. Is there a specific port i must pick coz i don't know how to identify which port the USB is plugged into, is there a way to find out?

 

hmm i only see 2 tabs, General | Hardware.

Also, i tried using the HP Deskjet 660c as well as the 600 and 610, 615c etc but they all don't work. I Googled a bit searching for drivers that are compatible with my 656c and people said that you can choose 660c as it works on Vista, which is what I did, but it doesn't work. It should though, since Windows 7 is basically an improved version of Vista, everything are pretty much the same. I really don't know what else is wrong, i'm thinking it's the ports that i've chosen, i chose the USB001 virtual port like u said, but not sure about creating new ports though, maybe i'll try that....

 

what do u mean by administrative rights? Coz i've already taken ownership of my whole C:/ drive and also under the Permission for Administrators, i have ticked Full Control for everyone, including Users, SYSTEM, Authenticated Users, Administrators.

To go there, u right click on a hardrive, e.g. C:/, and choose Properties, then choose the Security tab.

edit:

no i don't see USB printing support, i see the name of my printer, i.e Deskjet 656c. But if i remember correctly, the very first time i plugged the USB to my PC so that it detects the printer, it showed a different name, i think it just showed 656c or something else. But obviously it didn't install correctly so then i copied the 656c driver for XP to the desktop, then i right clicked on the .inf file and click install. But that didn't work either, but i think ever since i did that, whenever i removed or uninstall the printer and then try to install again, it shows up deskjet 656c during the automatic installation, i.e the little rectangular balloon on the bottom right whenever you plug in a new device.


EDIT:

OMFG IT WORKS!!! Dunno how i did it but it works!!

Ok this is what I did, first i uninstalled all the printer drivers that failed, i unplugged my USB from my printer to my PC, then i chose Add a Printer and chose Add a local printer, then i chose USB001 (virtual printer port for USB), which is for the option "Use an existing port ", then i chose HP in the list and then click Windows Update, then it should give you a huge list of printers, then i chose HP Deskjet 660c.

Basically, all i've done is followed PeteC's instructions. After the printer is installed, i plugged in the USB and let it detect and apply the driver automatically, and then it works! However, i see 2 printers installed, one is HP Deskjet 660c and the other is HP Deskjet 656c. I have to choose HP Deskjet 660c when i print or else it doesn't work, kinda weird but meh it works!


Thanks PeteC!

oh btw for anyone having the same problem, try Googling for a printer driver that's compatible with your one as well, search for keywords like "HP printers that use same drivers as HP Deskjet 656c ", which is what i did, and you should get results telling you what printer drivers can work for u. I had to do this since my printer wasn't in the list when i tried to add a new printer.

Oh and also, even though my printer works now, but i still don't see the ports option or any of the other options in ur screenshot, i only see the 2 options, General and Hardware, and this is for both the 660c and 656c printer shown in my list.