Windows Vista Problems with HP PSC 1610 printer & Vista

I'm trying to help a friend but have not worked with Vista (I have XP myself).

Their PSC1610 all-in-one printer has been happily printing since first connected in Nov07 to a new machine running Vista Home. Just this week the printer is playing up in that it 'prints' but little black if any gets inked onto the paper due I think to the ink jets being blocked or ink low/run out. I cannot tell which however as I cannot find where in Vista to get it to check ink levels or trigger a 'clean' process.

The computer appears to not have "HP Director" installed - or at least I cannot find it in any menu. Printer was originally installed by connecting to the new (HP) desktop back in Nov07. Vista found the printer and installed all necessary components (or did it?!?). But nowhere can I found how to initiate a head clean / etc nor find out ink levels within Vista. What drivers / downloads might be missing from the installation, and any ideas where to get them? The printer came with a CD but that was only for XP, not Vista (printer is at least a year old).
Any clues?

 

Hi,

Windows can install basic drivers. As you mentioned, it will need the "HP Director" for extra capabilities like head cleaning, alignment, diagnostics, etc.

Here is the downloads page:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?lc=en&cc=au&dlc=en&product=390315&lang=en&
Check if the system is 32 bit or 64 bit (Start -> right-click on Computer and select Properties).

Follow the instructions, because they will probably say to have the printer disconnected when you start the installation and you may also need to "delete" the current drivers before you start.

Matt

 

Thanks .. have downloaded HP Director

Thanks for the link and help.

I've downloaded the 163MB of "HP Full Feature Software and Drivers" for Vista (32-bit); I assume this is has the "HP Director" needed. I'll go round in the next few days and install it, watching for what you say regarding possibly removing current driver etc.

 

No problem.

If you click on the heading for the download at HP, it will give you the instructions. Looking at the instructions, you connect the printer after you run the installation program (so yes, it may be wise to uninstall the current printer drivers before you start).

Matt
[163MB download, it had better be more than just driver files ]