Okay I figured I would post this on my blog as a double edged sword. Hopefully people will find this information helpful and it'll also drive some traffic to my site. So you're welcome to everyone. I'm running a machine with Windows XP Home, which is an x32 version of Windows. My partner gave me his HP DeskJet F4280 YEARS ago and everything was working fine until a few days ago. Somehow the drivers became corrupted and the printer wouldn't respond to any commands either through the computer nor direct instructions from the buttons on the unit itself. So I uninstalled everything from "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel and downloaded the drivers from the HP website. Once downloaded I double clicked the file to automatically run the software and re-install the drivers. It would get to about Step 3 and the program would then say "Windows cannot find the specified file". I searched the internet high and low and tried many different methods that were suggested to get my printer back up and running. Nothing worked until I modified some instructions and found something that worked for me. Please note that every computer is different and this method may not work for you. I'll give you step by step instructions below and hopefully if your HP DeskJet F4280 experienced the same problems mine did you'll be able to save this printer and use it until it breaks. Once broken I suggest not buying any HP products in the future as in my personal experience they've been nothing but poorly made pieces of plastic that either physically break or have horrid software issues. Look below for instructions:
Step One - Down the driver software here http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3390949& . DO NOT RUN THE SOFTWARE WHEN IT IS COMPLETE!!!
Step Two - Uninstall any HP software using "Add/Remove Programs" from the Control Panel. Follow all prompts to remove the software and drivers.
Step Three - Right click the file and select "Extract to" to unpack all the compressed files to any place on your computer you choose. You will need a .ZIP program to do this such as WinRar, 7ZIP, or WinZip. Remember where you put these extracted files. The easiest way to remember is to create a new folder on your desktop and extract them to that folder.
Step Four - Open the folder where you extracted the files. Double click "util", "ccc", and double click "Uninstall.bat". This will open a DOS-style command window and will automatically scrub your PC of any remaining registry entries and other junk HP has loaded onto your computer. Click the check box "Restart my computer later" when this is done. Repeat the cleaning process with the other.bat files for Levels 1-4 (marked_L1, _L2, etc), each time clicking "Restart my computer later". When level 4 cleaning is complete restart the computer.
Step Five - Once your computer is done booting up, disable any antivirus software you may have running. This may interrupt the installation process. The problem I kept having was the HP software kept crashing so I had to figure out a way to circumvent the software to get the drivers back on my computer. Thankfully Windows actually did something right for once and was able to help me get past the constant crash.
Step Six - Turn the printer on and let Windows tell you that you have plugged in new hardware. Soon a new window will open up asking if you would like Windows to automatically look for drivers. Say yes, this time only. Windows should tell you that it cannot find the drivers for the F4280. Tell it you have the disk. When prompted "Browse" for the files. Browse to the file where you extracted all the files in Step 3. Open the folder and autorun.ini should already be selected. Click "Okay" and then click "Next". Windows should start extracting the drivers itself. The HP software will also open open up when Windows is done. All I kept getting was a constant loop to begin installation so just go ahead and cancel the HP software installer.
Step One - Down the driver software here http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3390949& . DO NOT RUN THE SOFTWARE WHEN IT IS COMPLETE!!!
Step Two - Uninstall any HP software using "Add/Remove Programs" from the Control Panel. Follow all prompts to remove the software and drivers.
Step Three - Right click the file and select "Extract to" to unpack all the compressed files to any place on your computer you choose. You will need a .ZIP program to do this such as WinRar, 7ZIP, or WinZip. Remember where you put these extracted files. The easiest way to remember is to create a new folder on your desktop and extract them to that folder.
Step Four - Open the folder where you extracted the files. Double click "util", "ccc", and double click "Uninstall.bat". This will open a DOS-style command window and will automatically scrub your PC of any remaining registry entries and other junk HP has loaded onto your computer. Click the check box "Restart my computer later" when this is done. Repeat the cleaning process with the other.bat files for Levels 1-4 (marked_L1, _L2, etc), each time clicking "Restart my computer later". When level 4 cleaning is complete restart the computer.
Step Five - Once your computer is done booting up, disable any antivirus software you may have running. This may interrupt the installation process. The problem I kept having was the HP software kept crashing so I had to figure out a way to circumvent the software to get the drivers back on my computer. Thankfully Windows actually did something right for once and was able to help me get past the constant crash.
Step Six - Turn the printer on and let Windows tell you that you have plugged in new hardware. Soon a new window will open up asking if you would like Windows to automatically look for drivers. Say yes, this time only. Windows should tell you that it cannot find the drivers for the F4280. Tell it you have the disk. When prompted "Browse" for the files. Browse to the file where you extracted all the files in Step 3. Open the folder and autorun.ini should already be selected. Click "Okay" and then click "Next". Windows should start extracting the drivers itself. The HP software will also open open up when Windows is done. All I kept getting was a constant loop to begin installation so just go ahead and cancel the HP software installer.
Step Seven - Your printer should now be at LEAST functional. I'm still experiencing some problems but they can be worked around. The scan button on the until still does not work. I have to use the Windows "Scanner and Camera Wizard" to get the scanner to operate. I also had to change the printer properties to get it to actually print. I had to change from "Everyday" printing in the "Properties" menu to "Fast/Economical" to get the printer to print any documents.
This should at least get you back on track and productive again. As I said before I do not recommend HP products of any type to any consumer. Not only are their products complete garbage but their support and tech staff isn't much better. And to add insult to injury they usually make you PAY for support after the warranty is up which is simply outrageous. So once your F4280 kicks the bucket I suggest Epson as they make outstanding printers that last a while, have relatively cheap ink, and use individual color cartridges so you only have to replace the one that is empt