Win98SE can't find printer driver on the installation CD

an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same result:
can't find driver.

So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files (
..inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking for?

This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems to be
locating the driver.

Bobbi

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files (
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed. Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a disconnect.

I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than by
letting the installation software take care of it?

The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster; it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

I await your further suggestions.

Bobbi



"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files (
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed. Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

ccbobbi wrote:
Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a disconnect.

Try right clicking on the .inf that is related to 98/SE and selecting install
from the popup menu.


I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

Ok. Now the Q is what version are the USB drivers?


I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

For a driver yes, but that would be the entire install most likely with
software included, not just a driver.
What's the make/model of the printer?


Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than by
letting the installation software take care of it?

You could try winzip or anything similar, although as mentioned before you
could copy/paste it to a folder and try to rename it.


The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster; it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

That's odd, AFAIK most USB installs are done before any connection.


I await your further suggestions.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point where
it asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software appears
to be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not the
CD, try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files (
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed. Sometimes
when copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's
support site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for
the proper installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

1. Uninstall everything associated with the printer, and start again, this
time waiting until prompted before connecting the printer.
2. If it stops at the screen where it's looking for a driver file, can you
find a Browse option? You can use this to browse to the folder that
contains the driver files it needs. Sometimes this works when the automated
procedure doesn't.

The installation utility is part of the OS, but the information it is using
about what files it needs and where to find them is supplied by HP, and
often this is incorrect and can mislead the installation software.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a
part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a
damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a
disconnect.

I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than
by
letting the installation software take care of it?

The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except
for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster;
it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I
wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

I await your further suggestions.

Bobbi



"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point
where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software
appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I
copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same
result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not
the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find
the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that
supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files
(
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are
these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking
for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have
an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed.
Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using
the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the
USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems
to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's
support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the
proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point where
it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software appears
to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I copied
the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same result:
can't find driver.

So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files (
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking
for?

This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the
USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems to
be
locating the driver.

Bobbi

The installation software is somewhat different than the same installation
in XP. The installer and its files are different animals.

Believe the majority of the respondents are waiting for the model number of
the printer, including myself.
--
Jonny

Hi, Jeff-

I've already done what you suggested in steps 1 and 2. When it gets to the
screen where it's looking for a driver file, there is indeed a browse option.
I have filled it in with the correct subdirectory on the CD Rom, but it
apparently doesn't even look on the CD before it says after 1/2 second that
it can't find the file. The light on the CD driver doesn't even flicker,
which is why I think it's not really searching. I've tried putting those
files in a new folder on my hard disk and using the browse option to point to
them, but it it can't find them there, either. It looks like the install
software is using a standard Windows utility for this portion of the
installation and I'm wondering if the file has been damaged somehow.

The printer is an HP Deskjet 6940. The supposed files which are located on
the CD are 3 small files ( .inf, .dll and .sys) and a 693KB file named
hpzrm114.dl_ .

Thanks for your kindness in helping!
-Bobbi

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

1. Uninstall everything associated with the printer, and start again, this
time waiting until prompted before connecting the printer.
2. If it stops at the screen where it's looking for a driver file, can you
find a Browse option? You can use this to browse to the folder that
contains the driver files it needs. Sometimes this works when the automated
procedure doesn't.

The installation utility is part of the OS, but the information it is using
about what files it needs and where to find them is supplied by HP, and
often this is incorrect and can mislead the installation software.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a
part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a
damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a
disconnect.

I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than
by
letting the installation software take care of it?

The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except
for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster;
it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I
wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

I await your further suggestions.

Bobbi



"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point
where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software
appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I
copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same
result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not
the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find
the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that
supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files
(
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are
these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking
for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have
an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed.
Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using
the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the
USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems
to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's
support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the
proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Hi, ccbobbi-

If you're still having problems with the install, check out links below
to the HP Website Support Articles. A lot of information about installs
there. These are all for the HPDeskjet #6940.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...980&rule=37879


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00095818

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00037552


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00625472

Good luck with your printer!

charlie R

"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
: Hi, Brian-
:
: Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD,
and it
: seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the
driver
: files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not
a part
: of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the
driver
: files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to
actually
: check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I
tried
: copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
: wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a
damaged
: file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a
disconnect.
:
: I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying
the
: printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.
:
: I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but
it's
: 28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem
too
: large for a driver?
:
: Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other
than by
: letting the installation software take care of it?
:
: The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
: instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works
except for
: finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction
poster; it
: says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
: inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I
wait
: for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)
:
: I await your further suggestions.
:
: Bobbi
:
:
:
: "Brian A." wrote:
:
: ccbobbi wrote:
: an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer.
The
: installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the
point where it
: asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software
appears to
: be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it
reports that
: it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not
even
: accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I
copied the
: relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same
result:
: can't find driver.
:
: Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If
not the CD,
: try running the install from the CD.
:
:
: So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't
find the
: driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that
supposedly
: contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny
files (
: .inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ .
Are these
: driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility
looking for?
:
: The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that
have an
: extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed.
Sometimes when
: copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified
: ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.
:
:
: This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine
using the
: same installation CD.
:
: I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that
Win98
: machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know
that the USB
: connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem
seems to be
: locating the driver.
:
: Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when
installing.
: Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check
HP's support
: site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for
the proper
: installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.
:
:
: --
:
: Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
: Conflicts start where information lacks.
: http://basconotw.mvps.org/
:
: Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
: How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
:
:
:
:

When you are prompted for the drivers, try filling in the entire drive and
path, for example:

d:\drivers

Ben

"ccbobbi" wrote in message ...
Hi, Jeff-

I've already done what you suggested in steps 1 and 2. When it gets to the
screen where it's looking for a driver file, there is indeed a browse option.
I have filled it in with the correct subdirectory on the CD Rom, but it
apparently doesn't even look on the CD before it says after 1/2 second that
it can't find the file. The light on the CD driver doesn't even flicker,
which is why I think it's not really searching. I've tried putting those
files in a new folder on my hard disk and using the browse option to point to
them, but it it can't find them there, either. It looks like the install
software is using a standard Windows utility for this portion of the
installation and I'm wondering if the file has been damaged somehow.

The printer is an HP Deskjet 6940. The supposed files which are located on
the CD are 3 small files ( .inf, .dll and .sys) and a 693KB file named
hpzrm114.dl_ .

Thanks for your kindness in helping!
-Bobbi

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

1. Uninstall everything associated with the printer, and start again, this
time waiting until prompted before connecting the printer.
2. If it stops at the screen where it's looking for a driver file, can you
find a Browse option? You can use this to browse to the folder that
contains the driver files it needs. Sometimes this works when the automated
procedure doesn't.

The installation utility is part of the OS, but the information it is using
about what files it needs and where to find them is supplied by HP, and
often this is incorrect and can mislead the installation software.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a
part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a
damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a
disconnect.

I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than
by
letting the installation software take care of it?

The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except
for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster;
it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I
wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

I await your further suggestions.

Bobbi



"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point
where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software
appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I
copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same
result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not
the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find
the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that
supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files
(
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are
these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking
for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have
an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed.
Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using
the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the
USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems
to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's
support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the
proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

From:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00569584

CAUTION: Do not connect the USB cable until prompted to do so during the
software installation.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00016441

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00037552

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00095818

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00625472

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


ccbobbi wrote:
Hi, Jeff-

I've already done what you suggested in steps 1 and 2. When it gets to the
screen where it's looking for a driver file, there is indeed a browse option.
I have filled it in with the correct subdirectory on the CD Rom, but it
apparently doesn't even look on the CD before it says after 1/2 second that
it can't find the file. The light on the CD driver doesn't even flicker,
which is why I think it's not really searching. I've tried putting those
files in a new folder on my hard disk and using the browse option to point to
them, but it it can't find them there, either. It looks like the install
software is using a standard Windows utility for this portion of the
installation and I'm wondering if the file has been damaged somehow.

The printer is an HP Deskjet 6940. The supposed files which are located on
the CD are 3 small files ( .inf, .dll and .sys) and a 693KB file named
hpzrm114.dl_ .

Thanks for your kindness in helping!
-Bobbi

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

1. Uninstall everything associated with the printer, and start again, this
time waiting until prompted before connecting the printer.
2. If it stops at the screen where it's looking for a driver file, can you
find a Browse option? You can use this to browse to the folder that
contains the driver files it needs. Sometimes this works when the automated
procedure doesn't.

The installation utility is part of the OS, but the information it is using
about what files it needs and where to find them is supplied by HP, and
often this is incorrect and can mislead the installation software.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"ccbobbi" wrote in message
...
Hi, Brian-

Thanks for helping! I'm running the installation program from a CD, and it
seems to go fine. The part I'm having a problem with is finding the driver
files, and that seems to be handled by a standard Windows utility, not a
part
of HP's installation program. When it asks for the location of the driver
files and it's pointed to the right location, it doesn't seem to actually
check the location, it just immediately says it can't find them. I tried
copying those 4 files to my hard disk and the same thing happened. I'm
wondering whether the utility which is performing this service is a
damaged
file. Even if the right files are in the right place, there's a
disconnect.

I know the USB ports work fine. The computer is correctly identifying the
printer model number, and I regularly use other USB devices.

I also downloaded a driver for this OS/Printer from HP's website, but it's
28 MB! and it seems to be locking up my computer. Doesn't 28 MB seem too
large for a driver?

Regarding the dl_ file, how would I uncompress or extract it, other than
by
letting the installation software take care of it?

The installation process is fairly straightforward as far as following
instructions. I just follow the prompts on the screen and it works except
for
finding the driver. (There's an error in the printed instruction poster;
it
says to connect the printer to the computer via the USB cable before
inserting the CD. That works OK for Win XP but not for WIn98, so now I
wait
for the installation software to prompt me to connect.)

I await your further suggestions.

Bobbi



"Brian A." wrote:

ccbobbi wrote:
an I'm trying to install an HP USB printer on my Win98SE computer. The
installation software process proceeds OK until it gets to the point
where it
asks for the location of the driver. At that point, the software
appears to
be using a regular Windows utility for finding drivers, and it reports
that
it cannot find the driver on the CD. In fact, I can tell it's not even
accessing the CD, because the CD drive light never flickers on. I
copied the
relevant file to my hard disk and tried it that way got the same
result:
can't find driver.

Are you running the install from the CD or Add New Hardware? If not
the CD,
try running the install from the CD.


So I don't know if there is a problem with the utility that can't find
the
driver or if there's really no driver there. The directory that
supposedly
contains the driver files has 4 files in it. Three are very tiny files
(
.inf, .sys and.dll) and one 693KB file named hpzrm114.dl_ . Are
these
driver files, and what kind of extension is the driver utility looking
for?

The .inf files are what the installs look to and use. Files that have
an
extension with an underscore, ie: hpzrm114.dl_, are compressed.
Sometimes when
copied to a folder on the hd you can simply rename it to it's fully
qualified
ext, ie: .dll, other times it takes extracting the file.


This printer installed successfully and easy on a WinXP machine using
the
same installation CD.

I've also read a brief MS Knowledgebase articles indicating that Win98
machines might have trouble connecting to USB printers. I know that the
USB
connection is fine, the communication is there, but the problem seems
to be
locating the driver.

Printers, both USB and/or networked can be problematic when installing.
Double check to make sure that USB is enabled in the BIOS. Check HP's
support
site for updated drivers for 98/SE and check the documentation for the
proper
installation to be sure you're not skipping anything.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375