Printer Pickle

Good afternoon,

I have an old HP LaserJet P2055dn Printer. I have been using it via a USB connection to my Laptop. I plug in the USB as and when needed, which is not that often.

Anyway, after experimenting and a bit of Network Kung Fu, I now have it setup as a Network Printer, and it works great !

However, there are remnants left from my experimenting, and I would like to clean these up if possible please [ OCD ].

What can I Delete/Remove from the following please ?





The Offline above is probably for the USB connection.

The WSD was the original one that was set. I then added a new Port with the Network Printer IP Address.

Afterwards, I want to rename the Printer to get rid of the (Copy 1).

Also, I used the IP Address that was shown in the Printer Settings Menu when I plugged it into my Router, should it be something else, even though it works ?

Thanks.

Paul,

I know you are going to make a system image beforehand so I won't waste time mentioning that.

In your Devices & printers screenshot, you can right-click on & delete the greyed out printers since they are no longer connected.
- You can rename the one you are using to make it easier to read there & in print dialog boxes - right-click, Printer properties then enter the new name in the input box.
- I don't know about the one of the right.

In your Device manager screenshot,
- The device in the Other devices section has no driver installed. The fact that the entry exists means that Windows thinks its missing a driver for a device that exists.
- Since the other Device manager entries are not greyed out, I don't think you can remove them [but they might become greyed out once you've removed the greyed out entries in Devices & printers then rebooted].


All the best,
Denis

Thanks Denis,

Try3 said:

I know you are going to make a system image beforehand so I won't waste time mentioning that.

System Image being created now funny enough.

I will go through your reply one step at a time and try them, testing after each of course, and report back.

How is the printer connected to the Network? I have an HP OfficeJet Pro and an HP LaserJet Pro connected to my Router via Ethernet cable. A couple weeks ago I was given an HP LaserJet p1022 and a NIB toner cartridge, nice printer but it has only the USB connection.

Over the years when seeing apparent duplicated printers installed I've gone through deleting them in Devices and Printers then uninstall any software associated. With the printer disconnected reboot then reinstall via the HP method picking one of the choices given such as connected to the Network or to a computer via the USB then plugging the cable in when prompted.

Hello @Berton, thanks for the reply.

Berton said:

How is the printer connected to the Network?

Ethernet cable connected to the Router.

Berton said:

Over the years when seeing apparent duplicated printers installed I've gone through deleting them in Devices and Printers then uninstall any software associated. With the printer disconnected reboot then reinstall via the HP method picking one of the choices given such as connected to the Network or to a computer via the USB then plugging the cable in when prompted.

I really want to avoid re-installing the Drivers if at all possible as this caused some of the problems I had, probably because it is an OLD Printer.

Yes, it is frustrating when things don't go well and for hardware the printers seem to be the largest culprit. When working on computers I've been noticing Win10, Win11 and some flavors of Linux tend to pick up Network connected printers, at least the basics. Even Windows Fax and Scan tends to work.

This is in my Wireless Notebook and Device and Printers:

UPDATE:-

Try3 said:

- I don't know about the one of the right.

I went through Denis's method but leaving the one above alone. I turned the Printer OFF and Restarted. I turned the Printer ON and tested it and all was well.

I then removed the one above. I turned the Printer OFF and Restarted. I turned the Printer ON and tested it and all was well.

Hello @Berton,

Berton said:

Yes, it is frustrating when things don't go well and for hardware the printers seem to be the largest culprit. When working on computers I've been noticing Win10, Win11 and some flavors of Linux tend to pick up Network connected printers, at least the basics. Even Windows Fax and Scan tends to work.

This is in my Wireless Notebook and Device and Printers:

There is a few there !

One of the first things that I do when I perform a Clean Install is to remove the Fax and XPS Document Writer, as I don't use them.

Paul Black said:

Hello @Berton,



There is a few there !

One of the first things that I do when I perform a Clean Install is to remove the Fax and XPS Document Writer, as I don't use them.

I don't actually use them either but have to be prepared to answer clients' questions about them, why I try to keep customizations at a bare minimum.

Berton said:

I don't actually use them either but have to be prepared to answer clients' questions about them, why I try to keep customizations at a bare minimum.

Of course, I understand.