( 81 reviews )
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Posted: 07-25-2009
The hardware itself is not bad at all, color print on photo paper is very truthful. However the driver/software is Extremely Buggy. I first installed software on CD, it took long time but done without incidence. Later, I found it can not print more than 6 pages. I checked HP website and I could not believe my eyes. The solution is to download newer driver but this does not guarantee to solve the problem, the next solution Provided by HP is to LIMIT you pages printed each time to the maximum number it can print. Who will call that a solution? Later I downloaded the new software and it can not install it due to some problems that HP had no solution yet. I downloaded their uninstall software and cleaned installation. And reinstalled software several times. And finally the printer seem to resume working. The HP solution center quit working and can not find the device. I googled the problem only to find some solutions involving cleaning up registry which I dread to do because it is risky and could take several hours easily in my past experience. So I tried newest update supposed to solve communication problem between computer and printer. It actually solved the problem. But those updates are available only in 2009, I can only imagine the frustration for those buyers who bought the printer early. One tip from other HP user is very useful as well, to install HP customarily. Updating software yourself and disable any software you can live without. Anything you can not understand in English you disable it if you can, this can give less change of catching a bug. One thing, your default language for non-Unicode code seems need to be English for the upgrade to work. Hope this can save you from some future problems which should not be there. I used a Canon IP3000, never once had a software problem and never spent more than 5 minutes to install software/driver, not for L7680 though.
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Posted: 07-10-2009
Since I purchased this printer I have had to uninstall and re-install it's software 4 times. Telephone calls to HP Tech Support have been all day or all evening affairs. In fact, I have printed up a copy of HP Tech Support's (Out-Sourced! Surprise!)instructions so I don't have to call and go over the same mind-numbing routine over and over again, I can just do it myself. I've learned to live with an assortment of various "hacks" to get this baby to work adequately. The "hardware" works just fine. A bit of a quibble with the paper sorter, but basically the printer itself delivers what it promises. It prints well, faxes well, has a legal size flatbed scanner. I use Windows XP, I don't know exactly what the HP software glitch is but the scanning program will not function. In order to use the legal size flat bed scanner I have to use the adequate Microsoft program that comes with Windows. I don't bother with HP Photosmart Essential or whatever else came with the printer. Life is too short and one could go mad over lesser things!
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: 07-10-2009
Since I purchased this printer I have had to uninstall and re-install it's software 4 times. Telephone calls to HP Tech Support have been all day or all evening affairs. In fact, I have printed up a copy of HP Tech Support's (Out-Sourced! Surprise!)instructions so I don't have to call and go over the same mind-numbing routine over and over again, I can just do it myself. I've learned to live with an assortment of various "hacks" to get this baby to work adequately. The first thing that HP neglects to tell you when you set this up is that it draws too much electricity (or whatever....mojo) to work properly if you plug it directly into one of your computer's empty USB2 ports. The printer requires it's own electrified USB hub....all by itself! The "hardware" works just fine. A bit of a quibble with the paper feeder, but basically the printer itself delivers what it promises. It prints well, faxes well, has a legal size flatbed scanner....which is why I chose this model to begin with. My last HP all in one worked just great. I replaced it because HP no longer supported the ink cartridge and the print heads were starting to go and costly to replace. I use Windows XP, I don't know exactly what the HP software glitch is but the scanning program will not function. In order to use the scanner I have to use the adequate scanning program that comes with Windows. I don't bother with HP Photosmart Essential or whatever else came with the printer. Its a nightmare! Every so often, usually when I need to print something right away, the software goes bi-polar and everything crashes. Chaos reigns. Day becomes dark. The only fix is to un-install and then re-install. What causes the glitch? Does HP have any idea? Doubtful! Life is too short and one could go mad over lesser things! UPDATE 8-06-09: Damn thing has crashed for the 5th time! I am tearing my hair out! This is supposed to make my life easier but it is making my life miserable. If you hear a crash it is the sound this printer makes when thrown out of a 20th floor window.
