I want to install only the drivers for my printer. The previous owner lost the installation CD. HP only has the software download available, which I don't want. I've tried searching websites such as driverguide for the drivers and I can't find them.

My printer is an HP psc 1210 all-in-one printer/scanner/copier that connects via USB. I contacted HP and they said to install it using the add new printer wizard. They said to select HP 990c printer from the printer list.

This sounds a little odd to me. I'm wondering if this would be the correct thing to do? I just don't want to screw anything up. I'm running Win XP.

I'd also like to know at what point should I connect and turn on the printer?

If HP instructed you to do that I suggest that is what you do.

Why don't you want the software? I suggest you download it now even if you don't install it. HP has a habit of removing files when it feels they are old.

Just install the HP software & be done with it:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...

Some (most?) software installs give you the option of installing everything or 'just' the driver.

Not to be rude but thanks for nothing.

I asked valid questions. I hoped I would get even just a little bit of help. Instead I get people second guessing my decisions.

Here's a little lesson. If you just go around installing stuff on your computer without checking it out first, you will eventually run into trouble. Everyone I know who just installs stuff without checking it out, always end up with problems (spyware, crashes, slowness, etc.)

If I install that printer software, it WILL screw up my computer.

Well, this appears to be the only site you've posted on about the problem that's given any answers:

http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive...

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software...

(and maybe more)

As already mentioned, use the 990C drivers. If they don't work out just uninstall them. It's no big deal. You're unlikely to find anyone here who's tried it so a definite answer on whether they'll work isn't possible.

What better authority than the printer manufacturer do you expect to find?

Installing the HP 990c printer doesn't sound odd to me. It just means that both the 990c and the 1210 probably both share the same chipset which means either one will use the driver of the other one.

I have the HP PSC 750. While HP's software has never messed up the computer, IMO I do think there are unneccessary processes running in the background that are useless on days that I don't print anything.

We're not trying to "second guess your decisions", but just trying to help.