scanner worked on my old laptop, but not my new one, both Win10


  1. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
       #1

    scanner worked on my old laptop, but not my new one, both Win10


    I have an ancient HP Scanjet 4500c scanner which isn't supported by HP any more, but for which Windows 10 installed the driver automatically when I plugged it into my old laptop. However when I plug it into my new laptop Device Manager says "There are no compatible drivers for this device." How is it possible that it used to work in Windows 10 and now it doesn't?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    I ran into a similar situation with an older HP printer/scanner that worked on the lady's Desktop with Win10 but wouldn't work on her husband's new Notebook that came with Win10, same message about no drivers. HP's support site had no drivers for Win10. Turned out the Desktop was an Upgrade to Win10 but was still able to use her Win7 drivers. They got a new printer. I would imagine a clean install of Win10 on the Desktop would have had the same issue about no drivers.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for replying!

    Yes, that would explain it. The old laptop had been upgraded from Windows 7.

    I downloaded a driver from Softpedia but I haven't tried to install it yet. Virustotal gives it the all clear in every test except Comodo which alerts for "heur.suspicious" (i.e. not a specific virus/trojan). I'm trying to work out whether it would be safe to install.
      My Computer


  4. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
       #4

    If you can find a Windows 7 driver from HP then you could install that using compatibility mode.
    Compatibility Mode Settings for Apps - Change in Windows 10
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    HP don't publish software for devices over 10 years old, which includes my scanner. In the end I found a driver at Softpedia, checked it was clean at Virustotal, installed it in compatability mode, and it works.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 32
    Windows 10
       #6

    Hi ricecrispies,

    Did you tried to install a compatible driver to have a try? I think you can try first. Use the device manager to find a compatible driver.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    As I said earlier, HP have removed all drivers for very old gear from their web site.
      My Computer


  8. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
       #8

    Glad to hear you found one that works. Gotta love keeping that old equipment useful!
      My Computers


 

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