Home / Product Selection / Printers / Installation / Installing the Printer Software for a Wireless Network Connection (Using an Access Point) using Windows Vista
- Question
Installing the Printer Software for a Wireless Network Connection (Using an Access Point) using Windows Vista
- Answer
- Follow these steps for the Windows Vista operating system.Step one: Gather the required network setup itemsYou must have the following items before you install the HP product on the wireless network:
Don't worry if you do not have all of the required items yet! The HP Network Diagnostic Utility can help you gather some of these items ( ). - A computer that is connected to the wireless network
- Internet access: HP recommends broadband Internet access such as cable or DSL
- Your wireless-capable HP product: Place it close to the computer during the installation procedure
- A USB cable (used only during installation). Do not connect the cable now
If you have difficulty gathering your network information, try the HP Network Diagnostic Utility to retrieve your network name and password.
Follow these steps to download and run the Network Diagnostic Utility, and then locate your network login information.- Click the following link to go to the Network Diagnostic Utility download page.
Link to tool File size HP Network Diagnostic Utility 2.6M - Read the requirements and description, click the Download button, and then click Save to save the utility to your computer.
- Browse to the location where you saved the utility, and then double-click the HPHNDU.exe file to run it. If you get a firewall security alert, click Unblock, Accept, Continue, Yes, Allow, or Permit.
- When the Welcome window displays, click Show Advanced Tools , and then click Retrieve WPA/WEP Key . A window opens that displays SSID, encryption, and wireless password information for your network.
- Click the Show Wireless Password button to display the actual network password.
Step two: Prepare for installation- Make sure the HP product, access point, and computer are all turned on, and that the computer is connected to the wireless network.
- Exit all applications running on your computer.
- Disconnect any USB or Ethernet cable that is connected to the HP product.
- If you previously installed the software for a USB connection and now want to change to a wireless network connection, follow these instructions to remove the USB installation before continuing.
- In the Control Panel , click Devices and Printers .
- Click Delete to remove the product.
- Disconnect the USB cable from the product and the computer.
Continue to the next step to connect the HP product to the network.
Step three: Decide whether to install with the product CD or download the softwareDon’t worry if you don’t have the product CD! You can download the most current software available for your product from the HP Web site at no cost. The following information might help you decide which installation method to use:CD Download For a new product: CD installation is a quick and easy method. If you do not have a CD, you can download the software you need. For an older product: CD installation might not work if you are installing the product on a computer running a newer operating system that released AFTER the HP product released.
For example, Windows Vista released in 2007. If HP manufactured your product prior to that year, the CD that came with the product might not work correctly on a computer running Vista.Downloading the software provides the best results for your older product. Even though it takes more time than using the CD, downloading the latest software can help you avoid installation issues.
Downloading is the recommended method if your computer operating system released after the HP product released.About the software: The software on the CD is current to the date of the product release. The software you can download from the HP Web site is most current software available for your product. HP often updates software and drivers AFTER the product and CD release to the market. Step four: Install the product softwareTo install the product on the wireless network, follow the steps for the method that you want to use (CD or download). Repeat the steps to install the software on each computer that will use the product wirelessly over the same network.IMPORTANT : If you get any firewall messages during installation, click unblock , accept ,continue , unblock , yes , allow , or permit , or the installation will fail.- Insert the product CD into the CD drive of the computer, and then wait a few seconds for the software installer to start.If the installer does not start automatically, follow these steps to start it:NOTE:If the User Account Control screen opens, click Allow to continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation.If prompted to choose the type of installation, review the following information:
Recommended type Custom type Recommended , Full , or Easy Custom , Express , or Advanced For full use of all your product features : This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product.
HP designed this type of installation to work for most users.A custom type of installation might be available for your product. This installation allows you to install the minimum software required or the preferred software. Use this type of installation only if you have one of the following reasons: - The computer is low on hard disk space.
- You attempted a recommended type of installation and received errors. (If errors occur during the recommended installation, fix them before trying a custom installation.)
The Recommended type of installation allows you to take advantage of all your product features.NOTE:The installer determines the computer's network configuration. - In the Printer Network Connection window that displays, select No (or not sure), my printer is not yet wirelessly connected to my network. Help me to setup the wireless network connection for my printer .
- The installer will prompt you to temporarily connect your USB cable in order to configure your wireless network. Connect the USB cable to proceed.
- The installer will prompt you to retrieve your network settings from the router. In theNetwork Setup window that displays, select Yes, access the router , and then clickNext .
- Confirm and connect to the network using the detected settings.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Follow these steps to download the software, and then install it.Step one: Download the softwareMany products have more than one driver option on the downloads page. Choices might include a Basic type, and Full Feature type. If both options are available, the following information might help you decide which driver to download.Basic type Full Feature type
(Strongly Recommended)HP does not recommend installing the basic driver unless you have one of the following reasons: - You plan to use the All-in-One for printing only.
- You plan to scan with Microsoft WIA drivers, Twain drivers, or third party scanning software.
The basic driver is smaller and downloads more quickly. However, it does not provide the software needed by most users to copy and fax from the computer, and to use all the scanning features of the product.For full use of all your product features: This driver provides complete product functionality for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product. The software varies by product , but here are some examples:- HP Solution Center : This important tool allows you to control settings for printing, copying, and scanning. It also helps you with product maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and links to buy supplies.
- Searchable help filestailored to your product
- Image-editing software
NOTE: During the Full Feature installation process, you can choose a custom installation, where you select the specific software items that you want to install.Follow these steps to download the software and driver for your product.- Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
- Turn the product on.
- Open a new window to browse to the Get Software and Drivers page:Right-click this link, Get Software and Drivers , and then click Open in New Window .
- If prompted, type your product number, and then click Next . You might also need to click your model in a list of similar products.
- Select your operating system, and then click Next .
- Click Download . This option allows you to install the software at any time after the download completes.
- Click Save , and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
- Click Save . The software downloads to your computer.Hint: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.
Step two: Install the softwareFollow these steps to install the downloaded software.- When the download is complete and you are ready to install the files, click Open Folder , and then click the downloaded file. The file name ends in .exe .NOTE:If you closed the Download Complete screen, browse to the folder where you saved the .exe file, and then click it.
- You can accept the default location to save the files. Click Next , and then wait while the installer extracts the files to prepare for installation.
- When the Install Wizard starts, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.During a Full Feature installation, you choose what type of installation you want. The following information might help you decide which installation type to use.
Typical (Recommended) Minimum For full use of all your product features : This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product.
This type of installation is designed to work for most users.A minimum type of installation might be available for your product. This installation allows you to install the minimum software required or the preferred software.
Use this type of installation only if the computer is low on hard disk space or you attempted a recommended type of installation and received errors. (Try to fix any errors before starting a minimum installation.)CAUTION:To avoid unintended loss of product functionality, read the description of each software component carefully during the installation process.HP recommends the Typical (Recommended) type of installation to get the most out of your product. - In the Connection Type window that displays, select the Wireless network connection (802.11). type, not the USB type. The USB cable is for the installation procedure only. (The installer prompts you when to connect and disconnect the USB cable.)
- Click Next .NOTE:The installer determines if the computer is connected to a network.
- In the Printer Network Connection window that displays, select No (or not sure), my printer is not yet wirelessly connected to my network. Help me to setup the wireless network connection for my printer .
- The installer will prompt you to temporarily connect your USB cable in order to configure your wireless network. Connect the USB cable to proceed.
- The installer will prompt you to retrieve your network settings from the router. In theNetwork Setup window that displays, select Yes, access the router , and then clickNext .
- Confirm and connect to the network using the detected settings.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
HP's Wireless Printing Center Visit HP's Wireless Printing Center (in English). You will find information on preparing your wireless network, setting up your printer, and reconfiguring your system. HP Consumer Forums See what other customers are saying at the HP forums .
- View Answer at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02273853&tmp_task=setupCategory&cc=uk&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3794615#N70
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