need help with scanning photos with hp printer

[lbfan29]

sorry if i am posting this in the wrong area, but i just switched to a imac and
i just tried to use my hp printer on my new imac to scan a bunch of old photos onto my computer..the problem is i can't get the printer to scan anything..it prints and copies, but when i hit the scan button it does nothing. I tried to contact hp, but they said they can't help me because i am not using windows, and they are not trained to work with macs..so i am very frustrated and am wondering if i am doing something wrong...if anyone could suggest any help i would appreciate it.

 

[giulio]

Hm wish I could help you. Thats a pretty specific problem though. Have you googled it?

Maybe tell HP "well alright... a new printer is cheaper than a new computer so I guess I'll go get my self an Epson"

 

[lbfan29]

i already did tell them that i would never buy hp again and will be buying a printer that has "mac-friendly" support..it is ridiculous that they can't help you once they find out you own a mac..do they think everyone in the world owns a windows based computer...probably because hp is windows based and they want you to buy one of their computers

 

[wicker_man]

You might want to try downloading HP Image Zone from their website.

I had no luck scanning from a HP ScanJet 5500c using the software that came on the disk, but using Image Zone it works perfectly.

Or, you could try VueScan but it watermarks your pics until you buy.

 

[bobtomay]

What model is your HP?

 

[lbfan29]

What model is your HP?

it is an hp 1410v all in one printer

 

[MacHeadCase]

Could it be the PSC 1410v All-in-One? According to this Apple webpage, Mac OS X 10.4.4: Included printer drivers and PostScript PPD files for Intel-based Macs there is a driver included in Mac OS X 10.4.x. But this could be just for the printer though.

You could try VueScan, although that all-in-one model isn't listed there but the PSC 1400 is...

 

[MacHeadCase]

Ok I just stumbled upon something where it is said you need to download the latest driver an install it. Restart and first, you'll need to launch HP's ImageZone, then you can scan using VueScan but you'll need to buy it otherwise the demo watermarks the images. Try it first and if it works you might consider purchasing VueScan.

Don't buy it before knowing if it'll work or not, is my advice.

 

[lbfan29]

i will try to install image zone. i didn't have that installed on the hard drive because when i first plugged the printer in, it worked without having to put the hp disk in..i thought that everything would work, but maybe i need to install the image zone software..i hope i can find the disks..

 

[bobtomay]

The latest driver from HP is a print only driver, no scan function for Mac OS X. My guess is it's the same driver as on Apple's site.
edit - deleted - see Discerptor's link below
As MHC pointed out, looks like VueScan will probably work, but do try it before you buy it.

 

[lbfan29]

The latest driver from HP is a print only driver, no scan function for Mac OS X. My guess is it's the same driver as on Apple's site.
Here is the link for Image Zone for your HP.
As MHC pointed out, looks like VueScan will probably work, but do try it before you buy it.

so even if i install the hp image zone software, i will not be able to scan unless i buy an additional product? is this the same with all the printers?

 

[bobtomay]

No, you just have an older printer before HP really started supporting the Mac. Try instaling Image Zone. Don't know if it will work or not, but wicker_man says it worked for him, so the possibility exists. If that doesn't work, then give VueScan a shot.

This is just one of the hassles with changing OS's that some forget to mention in their enthusiasm of their Mac's. Something I learned in my multiple tries at moving to Linux. Now that you are and probably will be a multiple OS user through the years, just remember to buy peripherals that support more than a single OS. Or, at least when you buy from now on, it is something to be mindful of.
First thing I did after I bought my MBP was to go get a printer/scanner that had support for XP, OS X and Linux since I have all three in the house (and it is an HP by the way).

 

[Discerptor]

Go here. Download and install what's there. Job done. While most printers can print right out of the box when you plug them into a Mac, other features like scanning definitely require drivers/software.

 

[bobtomay]

Go here. Download and install what's there. Job done. While most printers can print right out of the box when you plug them into a Mac, other features like scanning definitely require drivers/software.

Yeah, use that one instead of the one I had linked.

 

[lbfan29]

thanks for your help..i got it to worked. i just used the install disk that came with the printer and put all of the additional software needed on the hard drive. funny that the installation disk says macintosh on it..and hp customer care said they weren't trained to help with macintosh computers..anyway..i figured it out..thanks again for all of your suggestions.