Shoot! I'm about ready to chuck this HP PSC F4180.

I cannot, for the life of me, install the correct drivers for this thing. I have XP(SP3) on this old computer and no matter how I search, I cannot seem to zero in on the correct thing to do to update this machine so I can use the various functions. Been all through the uninstall and reinstall thing with HP and still get messages to the affect that I may not be able to use all functions.

As I search on line, I see that others have had problems trying to install this printer on an old machine.

'bout ready to bite the bullet and buy a new PSC but have no idea what to buy that won't kill my wallet. As I searched about this machine, many comments about this HP f4180 say in the text that it is a horrible machine to try and update.

I believe it.

I run XP, any suggestions as to what printer/scanner/copier I might buy that will come complete with the necessary drivers? You know what I mean. Install and it is done.

I am so backward that I can't even understand half of what HP is telling me. I thought I was doing a complete up-to-date install from their web site today and that is messed up too.

Ready to throw this thing out the window. I understand that HP has also installed tons of other junk on this machine. I'd like to delete most that junk but I really don't know what it is. All I want is the ability to print, scan, and copy.

I have a digital camera that I can use but the functions of this HP machine will not recognize the camera.

Any suggestions about a new machine I can buy that will make this old ladies life easier?

Don't make fun of me, I'm trying and it is just not working.

Thanks,
PR

Had you looked for drivers here?

http://driverguide.com

You gotta join with an email address to get the drivers but if any place has one that will work on your machine, that place will.

And while I think HP make good quality machines and excellent printers, their drivers and 'value-added' software are a nightmare.

I've mentioned before on this board that I've been a longtime fan of Brother printers and use them at home and wherever I need to purchase a printer for an office setup. My Brother B&W laser has chugged along for close on 8 years and has never missed a beat.

For colour printing I have a Brother DCP 385c
Some info here: http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/Brother_DCP-385C/551-96319-637.html

The points I like best about it are:
Card reader - camera card plugs straight into it
Easy setup
Reasonable quality scanning and colour copying
Edge to edge printing - that is, printing without a margin. Slow, but looks good for some work.
Ink management - the printer will not start a job unless there is sufficient ink, thus no more pages of strange hues because one colour has run out
Ink Prices - Generic cartridges are widely available at a fraction of the cost of Brother ink
Front loading ink cartridges
Handles paper and card up to 250 GSM