I have built a new computer and am using win XP Pro as operating
system.
I have a HP deskjet882c printer and winXP had the drivers for it on
disc.
The printer installed fine and I can see the properties dialog box and
it shows it is installed correctly and working.  I am using a usb port
and have tried all the ports on my computer as well as my keyboard and
when I try to print any thing from anywhere inclunding a test page
from the printer property box I get an error mesage that says document
failed to print.  I have uninstalled drivers and reinstalled to no
avail.  Prop box says it is directed to usb port.

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Request for Question Clarification by pwizard-ga on 20 Oct 2002 11:08 PDT

Have you tried downloading and using the drivers from HP's website? I
had the exact same error only this morning with my Deskjet 640c (XP
Pro) when I tried to switch my driver from the one that came with
WinXP to HP's driver.

Try this:

Download and install HP's driver for the printer (even though it still
may not work). Once you have it installed to the printer, go to
Printers and delete the printer from the list. It should be completely
gone from the Printers list.

Reboot the PC and let Windows plug and play re-find the printer and
re-install the driver. It should attempt to install the HP driver
since it was the last one installed... let it do so. See if it prints
now.

Let me know if this works or not. 

Thanks,
PWizard

Hello paulzhome, 

I have an HP840c printer working with my Windows XP via USB. The
installation is a bit different from the standard installation because
you are using the USB port. The standard Windows drivers get loaded on
with the XP installation if the printer is 'found' by XP during this
process. This does not work, because you are not using a standard port
like the parallel port to the printer, but you are using a USB port.

The USB port is a generic port that supports many devices, including
keyboards, mouse (mice), printers, scanners, etc. Although XP may
'install' the printer, the 'handshake' and data transfer that happens
through a usual parallel port does not happen in this case. Therefore
the printer is 'recognized' but does not work!

The solution lies in avoiding the XP drivers for your printer, and
rather using the drivers in your HP printer CDROM or the downloaded
drivers for your printer from HP. I only hope this works for your
flavor of HP printers. I am certain about the 840c. (Please see my
note towards the end of this answer.)

If you don’t have the CDROM for any reason, you may download the
appropriate drivers for XP for your printer from the HP site. The URL
is

[ http://www2.driverguide.com/uploads/uploads11/33373.html ]

This site may require you to log in. you can use the user name as
'drivers' and password as 'all'. Otherwise, you can try [
www.driverguide.com ] and register (free - you need an email address
only ) and do a search for 'Windows XP USB driver HP DeskJet 882c' on
the site. I feel that the link I have given you above will work with
the generic username and password the site had provided me sometime
back should work.

Assuming you have the CDROM from HP that came with your printer :

STEP I - uninstall existing printer and drivers. 

a.  You need to Delete this printer if it is appearing in the Control
Panel > Printers & Faxes window.
b. Please look at Control Panel > System > Hardware (tab) for any
device under Printers. If there is any listed there that looks like
your HP printer, right-click for options and uninstall the printer.

STEP II - Disconnect the printer from your computer by pulling out the
USB cable on the printer side gently. (USB can be connected or
disconnected even when the two devices are powered unlike other ports
that may cause damage to either or both devices.)

STEP III - restart the machine

STEP IV - Once Windows XP is fully loaded, turn the printer ON (if not
on) reconnect the USB cable on the printer side that was removed in
STEP II

In a few moments a bubble along with an icon should appear in your
system tray (where you find the clock). The WINDOWS XP device driver
manager window will emerge. You just have to follow the instructions
and provide the process with the XP CDROM and the HP CDROM as
requested to complete the process.

You will be able to get your printer installed easily by this process.
If you face any kind of trouble, or need any clarification, please let
me know.

---------
Search strategy - Most of this answer is from personal experience. I
did not have to search the internet for anything except the XP driver.
I also knew about the driverguide.com site.

Keywords 
- HP DeskJet 882c XP drivers 
(This led to another site from which I got the exact page for your
printer driver from the driverguide.com site)
- DeskJet 882c, setup, XP, USB, etc. (within HP site) 
----------
NOTE: The HP site does not include Windows XP as a supported platform
for your printer.
[ http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpd06106.html#P4_358
]

On the other hand, HP provides this page too!

HP DeskJet Printers - Installing the Printer with the Driver Included
in Microsoft(R) Windows XP
[ http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpd09005.html ]
---------

Warm regards
vinods-ga