HP printers
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: High seas
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HP printers
Why do all HP printers take over my computer? I don't want 100 pop-ups, reminders, offers, upgrades, updates continually interrupting me.
When I try to uninstall the SH!t software, it always leaves bits behind to come back and annoy me more.
AArgh - I will never buy HP stuff again!
Is it just me?
Rant over.
When I try to uninstall the SH!t software, it always leaves bits behind to come back and annoy me more.
AArgh - I will never buy HP stuff again!
Is it just me?
Rant over.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Age: 81
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brilliant hardware
Take the word of one who has used, sold and repaired most brands of printer ( and other stuff) over quite a few years, HP are an absolute no no on every possible ground.
Of the brands likely to be chosen for home use, there are three:-
Brother, good cheap laser stuff, solid, reliable.
Canon, very high reliability, good results on paper.
Epson, best results for money on paper, lower reliability than Canon, but still good.
Everything else will probably be HP, regardless of name badge. Uses, boat anchor, aircraft tie down, target for rifle practice.
In case I haven't made it clear, I don't like them.
N4790P
I take it you don't agree with me then? My experiences differ from yours. I have yet to have any hardware issues with any HP hardware.
However, I would never buy HP by choice because of the software issues.
PS Is that wagging finger really necessary?
However, I would never buy HP by choice because of the software issues.
PS Is that wagging finger really necessary?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Age: 81
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ZFT,
I read what I had written and thought "that's a bit harsh, he's as entitled to his opinion as I am to mine. I should soften it a bit."
They are called "smilies", dont you know, and I thought " the waggly finger is so far over the top that he'll understand."
I apologise if I offended. That was not my intention.
I read what I had written and thought "that's a bit harsh, he's as entitled to his opinion as I am to mine. I should soften it a bit."
They are called "smilies", dont you know, and I thought " the waggly finger is so far over the top that he'll understand."
I apologise if I offended. That was not my intention.
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a once great admirer of HP, I've become appalled at what they've become.
In the seventies, their test equipment and mini-computers (HP21MX) and the like were things to aspire to.
Not no more...
I have had several printers, mini-pc's, notebooks and they've got worse as time goes on.
My latest acquisition Mini-2133 has had three motherboard replacements, puts out enough heat to keep the house warm on the coldest night and puts us into a new ETS/Carbon Tax category.
Ok...so I'm a slow learner.
In the seventies, their test equipment and mini-computers (HP21MX) and the like were things to aspire to.
Not no more...
I have had several printers, mini-pc's, notebooks and they've got worse as time goes on.
My latest acquisition Mini-2133 has had three motherboard replacements, puts out enough heat to keep the house warm on the coldest night and puts us into a new ETS/Carbon Tax category.
Ok...so I'm a slow learner.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chez Sprog
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HP software is rubbish imo, but under windows, it is possible to run the things with the native software only I.e. install the driver & nothing else, let windows run the beast. Works for me.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: East of LGB
Age: 69
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HP Business Inkjet 1000 seems to work OK. Mrs. Fan uses it though.
A Lexmark C534dn is my primary printer. Sucker will just about sing for you if you send it a .wav file.
Had some previous HP's. No software problems but they just didn't last. They did make for some good tax write off donations though.
A Lexmark C534dn is my primary printer. Sucker will just about sing for you if you send it a .wav file.
Had some previous HP's. No software problems but they just didn't last. They did make for some good tax write off donations though.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Age: 81
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The story of Hewlett Packard is one of the saddest stories in electronics history.
As ZEEBEE states, HP was for many years the most respected name in electronics.with their equipment being leaders in military, space and test equipment during WW2 and through the US's space history into the 80s.. With the retirement of Mr Hewlett and Mr Packard their shares in their company were sold and their former company went off in new directions without them. Both, I believe, made desperate attempts to buy back control but to no avail. What has been done on the back of thier excellent reputation is sad to say the least.
Their printers are crap. (So, I believe, are their computers.)
As ZEEBEE states, HP was for many years the most respected name in electronics.with their equipment being leaders in military, space and test equipment during WW2 and through the US's space history into the 80s.. With the retirement of Mr Hewlett and Mr Packard their shares in their company were sold and their former company went off in new directions without them. Both, I believe, made desperate attempts to buy back control but to no avail. What has been done on the back of thier excellent reputation is sad to say the least.
Their printers are crap. (So, I believe, are their computers.)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to use an HP printer then scrape up an old Laserjet 4 or 5 from eBay or similar. Very well behaved, built to last (unlike modern cr*p) and still good. Mine are just fine, they sit on the network and wake up when someone wants to print something, then go back to sleep afterwards.
Usual disclaimers apply!
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: EGGW
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's interesting on the comments on the other printers! I had an Epson 750 photo for years until it failed, I then replaced it with an Epson DX5000 and that was nothing but a nightmare with software issues, and forever doing its inkjet cleaning thing if not used for a few days. (I even contacted Epson at one stage). It currently languishes boxed up in the loft.
Current machine is an HP photsmart C5180 and has been 'as good as gold'
XP pro for what it's worth!
Current machine is an HP photsmart C5180 and has been 'as good as gold'
XP pro for what it's worth!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Who cares? ;-)
Age: 74
Posts: 676
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The HP software and constant update pop-ups were driving me crazy! And the menu got more confusing then it was before. grrrrrrrr
Then the hardware paper pull died on me (the printer wasn't that old, either) so I dumped it for an Epson. Since my comp was in the workshop recently, I haven't had a chance to use it yet.... but HP's are no longer my first choice.
Then the hardware paper pull died on me (the printer wasn't that old, either) so I dumped it for an Epson. Since my comp was in the workshop recently, I haven't had a chance to use it yet.... but HP's are no longer my first choice.
Yes to everything about the software, but (once drivers installed... good news, W7 finds them by itself) my HP3600 color laser prints quickly, economically and fusslessly. But:
Just about everyone knows what carp the HP software is - why don't HP????
Just about everyone knows what carp the HP software is - why don't HP????
Have an HP PSC1610 all in one printer, it does a tolerably good job. Now though it tells me the colour cartridge is not compatible, but I know it is as I have been using the same ones for the last year. Take it out, put it back in and no difference! Flaming thing still doesn't work. Should I just ditch it or is there perhaps a simple explanation? Suggestions please?
Controversial, moi?
My first HP inkjet broke a small plastic piece which was easy to see and replace except that parts are 'not available, we do an exchange service for £x'. I swore never to buy another but then was given an all in one K60 which is now 10 years old and still going strong.
The disadvantage is that although W7 runs it HP do not offer W7 specific software. So it works for most things with the W7 inclusive drivers except for stuff like printing a PDF where it will print in colour but omit all the text! Or omit the coulour and it will print the text.
Irritating that the thing is effectively becoming obsolete.
Also on the subject I asked the ink refilling company I use if they had any recommendations for a new printer. He demonstrated to me that my ink cartridges hold approximately double the ink of most of the latest printers and he more or less said that unless I had good reason to change stick with my old printer.
The disadvantage is that although W7 runs it HP do not offer W7 specific software. So it works for most things with the W7 inclusive drivers except for stuff like printing a PDF where it will print in colour but omit all the text! Or omit the coulour and it will print the text.
Irritating that the thing is effectively becoming obsolete.
Also on the subject I asked the ink refilling company I use if they had any recommendations for a new printer. He demonstrated to me that my ink cartridges hold approximately double the ink of most of the latest printers and he more or less said that unless I had good reason to change stick with my old printer.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,576
Received 429 Likes
on
226 Posts
I threw my HP Photosmart in the skip and bought a Lexmark X5650 for £48, a combined copier, fax, scanner. It can use cheap cartridges without penalty (a major gripe for me with the HP was rip-off, short life, cartridge prices).
No complaints here now.
No complaints here now.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Witnesham, Suffolk
Age: 80
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My HP printer is very old and "just works". Windows 7 found drivers for it with no input from me, and no fuss. Toner cartridges are £80 from HP or £25 from the bloke on eBay, and last over a year. I'm very happy with it.
I bought an HP scanner many years ago and it was excellent - instant results, quick photocopying with a few keypresses ("copy" - pick number - "go") etc. It died of old age a few years ago and was replaced by an Agfa which was even faster. Sadly, the Agfa was SCSI and Win7 has no driver for the SCSI card, so I'm now using a USB Agfa which isn't a patch on it.
A friend of mine bought the latest HP - and got rid of it within the week. Any attempt to do any scanning brought advertisements, graphics of grinding gears etc, and copying was a marathon. Any activity took minutes rather than seconds. Never again.
As RiscOS says. It's very sad to see the market leader fall off the perch.
I bought an HP scanner many years ago and it was excellent - instant results, quick photocopying with a few keypresses ("copy" - pick number - "go") etc. It died of old age a few years ago and was replaced by an Agfa which was even faster. Sadly, the Agfa was SCSI and Win7 has no driver for the SCSI card, so I'm now using a USB Agfa which isn't a patch on it.
A friend of mine bought the latest HP - and got rid of it within the week. Any attempt to do any scanning brought advertisements, graphics of grinding gears etc, and copying was a marathon. Any activity took minutes rather than seconds. Never again.
As RiscOS says. It's very sad to see the market leader fall off the perch.
Usual disclaimers apply!
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: EGGW
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I must admit to using 'compatibles' in my HP. No problems though. Free delivery, from Jersey I believe, less than half price and they supply a 'freepost' recycling bag.