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Installing the Printer Driver Located in the Windows Vista Operating System

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Introduction
A full feature software and driver package for Windows Vista is not available for your product. However, the Windows Vista operating system installed on your computer contains a basic driver solution for your product.
With the basic driver, the buttons on the product do not function and some of the advanced product features are not available. But you can still print, scan, and import and view images on a memory card, using the workaround procedures in this document.
Use the following instructions to install the basic driver in Windows Vista, and then review the workaround procedures to use the available features for your product. For photo editing, organizing, printing and sharing, you can also download HP Photosmart Essential software. Click here if you want to go to the download page for HP Photosmart Essential (in English).
Installing the printer driver
The method that you use to install the basic Vista driver depends on whether you use a USB cable or a parallel cable to connect the product to the computer. Use the method for your type of cable .
Type of cableComputer end of the cablePeripheral end of the cable
USB cable Computer end of USB cablePeripheral end of USB cable
Parallel cable Computer end of parallel cablePeripheral end of parallel cable
Method one: USB cable connection
When you connect the product to the computer, Windows Vista detects the hardware and automatically installs the correct driver. A notification lets you know when installation begins and when it is complete. You do not have to download any software or insert the product CD.
  1. Turn the product on.
  2. Connect the Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable to the product and to the computer.
  3. A Your devices are ready to use window might display on the screen. If the window displays and does not close automatically, close the window.
Your basic Vista driver is now installed. Some functions might not be available as they were for Windows XP, but there are a few workarounds available. Click here to skip to the workaround procedures in this document.
Method two: Parallel cable connection
Follow these steps in the order presented to install the product with a parallel cable.
NOTE: In order to use a parallel cable, you must have a parallel port on the computer and on the printer.
  1. Turn off the computer.
  2. Connect the parallel cable to the computer and the printer.
  3. Restart the computer, and then turn the printer on. Windows detects the printer and opens the Found New Hardware window.
  4. Select Locate and Install Driver .
    NOTE: If the User Account Control window opens, click Allow to continue.
    Windows checks whether a driver is available.
  5. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), and then click Control Panel .
  6. Click Hardware and Sound .
    NOTE: This step is not necessary in Vista Classic View.
  7. Click Printers .
  8. On the top of the Printers window, click Add a printer . The Add Printer wizard opens.
    NOTE: If the User Account Control window opens, click Allow to continue.
  9. Click Add a local printer , and then click Next . The Choose a printer port window opens.
  10. Select Use an existing port , leave the default port of LPT1: (Printer Port) , and then click Next . The Install the printer driver window opens.
  11. Click HP in the list of manufacturers.
  12. Click your HP product in the list of printers, and then click Next . The Name your printer window opens.
    NOTE: If your printer is not listed, click HP Deskjet 500c . This alternate driver might provide basic functionality.
  13. Type a name for the product in the Printer name box, or accept the default printer name, and then click Next . The printer driver installs.
  14. After the installation completes, click Print a test page .
  15. Click Finish when the test page prints, or click Troubleshoot if the test page does not print correctly.
Workaround procedures
The basic driver in Windows Vista is sufficient for several functions. You can print from a software program, scan documents, fax documents, and import and view images on a memory card.
Printing
Use these steps to print from a software program.
  1. Open the document to be printed in the software application in which it was created.
  2. Click File , and then click Print .
Scanning
Use one of the following three methods to scan a document.
Method one: Scanning with Windows Photo Gallery
View a YouTube video (in English) that demonstrates scanning with Windows Photo Gallery. The video contains no audio.
  1. Click the Windows ( ) icon.
  2. Click All Programs .
  3. Click Windows Photo Gallery .
  4. Click File , and then click Import From Scanner or Camera .
  5. Click Import .
  6. Click Scan .
Method two: Scanning with Paint
View a YouTube video (in English) that demonstrates scanning with Paint. The video contains no audio.
  1. Click the Windows ( ) icon.
  2. Click All Programs .
  3. Click Accessories .
  4. Click Paint .
  5. Click File , and then click From Scanner or Camera .
  6. Click Scan .
Method three: Scanning with Windows Fax and Scanning (Not available in all versions of Windows Vista)
NOTE: This feature works only with Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Enterprise.
View a YouTube video (in English) that demonstrates scanning with Windows Fax and Scanning. The video contains no audio.
  1. Click the Windows ( ) icon.
  2. Click All Programs .
  3. Click Windows Fax and Scanning .
  4. Click New Scan .
  5. Click File , and then click Scan .
Faxing
Although you cannot fax a document directly from your computer, you can still fax a printed document from the product.
  1. Print the document to be faxed.
  2. Place the printout on the flat surface or feeder slot in the same way you would for scanning or copying a document.
  3. Fax the paper version of the document by using the faxing buttons on the control panel of the All-in-One.
Importing and viewing images on a memory card
Follow these steps to access images on a memory card.
  1. Insert the memory card into the appropriate memory card slot on the product.
    NOTE: If the memory card is already inserted, remove it, and then reinsert it.
  2. On the Autoplay window that opens, click Import Pictures , View Pictures , or Open folder to view files .
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.