[chuck911]

Back to my brothers Dell w/windows ME. His scanner (hp 3570) was acting up so I thought maybe his software was messed up. I did an uninstall via add/remove programs. When I tried to install the original software, it wouldn't load. It came back with "cannot find the file specified." I went to the HP website and found what I thought was a simple fix. The directions said to: click on "start" and then "run", then type "msiexec/unregister, then OK. "The run window will close." Instead I get an error message - cannot find file or file typed incorrectly. I did the reinstall with the scanner still hooked up. Was I supposed to unhook the scanner before reinstalling the software? Would this cause the software not to load? I'm grasping at straws at moment. I also ordered a CD with Version 2.0. of the HP photo/imaging software. The original that came with the scanner is a Version 1.0. Would appreciate any tips/tricks I can use to get this thing back on the air. Thx!

Chuck

[buck52]

Uninstall the software and the scanner then reinstall as per the scanner instructions...some want you to plug the device in first others say to install the software first...be sure to follow the directions

buck

[photolady]

Uninstalling HP's software isn't as easy as Add/Remove. You still have clean your brother's computer of all HP's software. Check registry for any bits and pieces hp's uninstaller leaves behind. Also, do a search on his C drive for any bits and pieces left behind. I've done this numerous times because HP's uninstallers just don't get rid of all they installed. If this is a USB device, then most of the time you install the software first, and while it's installing, it will tell you when to connect the device.

[chuck911]

Thanks Buck 52. I'll give that a try.

Chuck

[chuck911]

Thanks for the tip Photolady. But . . . you say to "check registry of all bits and pieces left behind." I've heard that term used but not sure how you do that. You're right! I'm not a novice but no expert either. Can you elaborate? And please keep it simple. I think I know how to check the C drive for stuff but identifying HP scanner stuff might be difficult. I'll let you know how things went when I visit by brother again. Thanks again!

Chuck

[photolady]

chuck, did you install the patch after trying what HP said with unregister? If not, you can get the patch here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...n&dlc=en&os=20

If you've never used regedit to remove items from the registry, it's best not to. Too many things can go wrong messing around in the registry. I'm still looking for HP's uninstall instructions, and as soon as I find them again, I'll post them here for you. Try the above first and see if that helps.

[chuck911]

Yes, I tried downloading an update (not a patch) the patch was for non-english stuff. Anyway, when I tried downloading the "update" it came back with "no patch needed." When I think about it - since I un-installed the software, there would be nothing to patch or update. Does that make sense? As for the "registry", I won't go there. I will check the "C" drive though for any bits and pieces. Not sure what they would look like. Appreciate all the help. Thx!

Chuck

[acraftylady]

If the scanner is still under warranty call HP and have them walk you through removing all traces from the registry or if it's not under warranty ask if they will still help for free. The same thing happened to me when I got my new computer with XP and I needed to update my HP office jet software. After uninstalling and trying to install the new it wouldn't work because there was stuff left behind and me not knowing computers and afraid to touch the registry called HP and demanded they help me get it updated as this machine is important in my hubby's work.

[photolady]

Chuck, I just realized you said your brother is using ME. I had a heck of a time installing an HP scanner on that O/S. In fact, I never did get it to install. I even took it to my computer running win98 and it worked beautifully, took it back to the ME computer, and it still wouldn't work.

If you're going to search in windows for HP software remenants mostly you should just search for the letters, HP. You might have to add something like this: *HP because I'm not sure it will look for two letters only, but it should. Try HP first, then if that doesn't work add the asterisk. I still haven't found the instructions I once had on removal of HP bits and pieces. I'll keep looking though and when I find them, will post here. However, if the scanner is new and still under warranty, I'd also do what acraftylady suggested and take it back.

[acraftylady]

Also have you been on the HP site and looked up that scanner for any updates and such? Here's the page for the 3570C and CXI. Click the one you have and then go to windows ME and maybe try downloading the latest software from there and see if that helps and you can also check for any updates for the scanner.

HP Scanner