Q: I had submitted a question to you approximately two weeks ago and would like to thank you for the motivation you provide to all your readers for help. Since I wrote you requesting a possible solution to my Sony VAIO computer, I have been working to solve my problem. Thanks to your inspiration I was able to correct the problem and now have it downloading in normal mode once again.

– Nick A.
Niceville, Florida

A:  That’s what I’m here for.  Any time I can do nothing and still get your problem solved, you just come and see me, Nick.  I’m happy to do my part! 

• • •

 Q: I have a new printer and have gotten rid on my old HP7520.  I went into Control Panel and removed all associate software for the 7520. I also went into Control Panel/Devices and Printers and removed the 7520 from that list. Now each time at startup I get two messages that says the computer cannot find the 7520. Also the 7520 keeps returning to the Devices and Printers list. I have removed it several times and nothing changes. There is nothing in msconfig/Startup that would request the 7520. While this causes no harm to anything it is certainly annoying that I have to remove the two error messages each time I start the computer. Suggestions please???

– George C.
Shalimar, Florida

 

A:  Back in the days of MS-DOS, it used to be extremely troublesome to interface a printer with your computer. There was no standardized operating system interface, and each software manufacturer that had software capable of printing actually had to build-in support for specific printers.  This meant a lot of compatibility issues, and very limited choices of printers if you wanted flexibility to print from multiple programs. The advent of Windows changed much of that.  It provided a standard, well-defined interface for software and hardware to interface with the Operating System.  This allowed any software to print to any printer, so long as the printer manufacturer provided a driver that met the Windows interface standards.  For some reason, HP has never really been content to write mere interface drivers.  They insist on installing large, complex applications that do far more than simply interfacing the device to Windows.  When you perform the installation, it seems like you’re installing only one thing, but the single HP installer actually installs a bevy of HP bloatware, much of which has nothing to do with operating the printer.  You get photo management software, ink/toner level monitoring software, HP shopping apps and more, all topped off with an HP Updater that will automatically keep all the other stuff current. 

 

When you go to uninstall the printer, it would be logical to assume that since you performed a single installation, you should be able to get rid of it with a single uninstall.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case.  That “single” installation installed several independent components, each of which must be separately uninstalled.  In all fairness to HP, they’re not the only manufacturer that does this, but their bloat is probably the worst I’ve seen, and it’s often convoluted, because you can’t simply uninstall anything that says “HP” in the name if you have an HP-branded computer, or another HP accessory installed.

 

In your case, George, since you told me that your computer is not an HP, I recommend you take the strong-arm approach, and head back to Control Panel, click Programs & Features, and uninstall anything that has HP in the name.  Make sure you’re running from an account with sufficient administrative privileges to perform the task.  You probably should disable your virus scanner while you do this, just to take one possible stumbling block out of the equation.  If you’re still having problems, contact HP directly.  You can go to tinyurl.com/numas23 for the product support page for your specific printer.

 

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The Geek’s Website of the Week!

Name: Down for Everyone, or Just Me?

Nominated By: The Geek

URL: http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/

Description: How frustrating is it when you try to go to a website, and your browser’s throbber just keeps mocking you by endlessly spinning? (Before you think I’ve deviated from this site’s normal family-oriented content, “throbber” is the proper name for what most people call “that little spinning thing” in a web browser.)

Well this week’s Geek’s Website of the Week will tell you whether a site you’re trying to access is really down, or whether the problem is on your end.

The site couldn’t be any simpler.  It consists of a single line of text that says “Is ________ down for everyone or just me?”  You type the name of the site you want to ask about (or cut/paste it from the address bar of the mocking browser window) and either press [Enter] or click the “or just me” hyperlink.  Nanoseconds later, you’ll have your answer, in plain, unambiguous language.  This one’s a keeper!  Oh!  How I do love simple, useful websites!