How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

artforartssake
Community Member

I recently bought an HP Photosmart 5520 wireless printer. I have a simple home computer setup: one comp, one printer, Telstra wi-fi internet.

 

I installed the new printer and everything worked fine. However on Day 2, I noticed that the on/off switch on the printer wasn’t working properly so I took the printer back to the shop where I bought it and was given a replacement one. I installed the replacement printer.

 

It works ok BUT now I’ve noticed that when I open the scan tool, I get to choose from one of TWO printers i.e.

 

HP Photosmart 5520 (Net) and

HP Photosmart 5520 (Net) # 2,

 

But I only have one printer installed?

 

Try as I might, I can’t get rid of the phantom one - the first one on the list i.e. HP Photosmart 5520 (Net).

 

If I open up the “Printers” icon on the control panel, it’s also telling me that I only have one printer installed, which it calls “HP Photosmart 5520 Series (Network)”

 

Is there any way I can get the scan tool to default to the only printer/scanner that I have installed and not have to go through the step of selecting one?

 

I’ve also noticed that when I click on the HP Photosmart desktop icon, it opens up the installation procedure instead of the HP Printer Assistant.

 

PS I know that I should be putting this post on the “Computers and Software” forum But I hardly get responses from posts on that forum.


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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

Why not  uninstall  the printer software, and any file references to it left,  (using "Search"),  then do a clean/fresh install.

nɥºɾ

 

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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

Thanks. I guess I could try that but isn't there an easier way?


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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

in your preferences when you go to Print?

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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

Using Windows 7 here.

 

Go to Devices and Printers, from the Start menu

 

Highlight the printer you want to use as default printer... Right click on that and choose set as default printer. 

 

 

To get rid of the one you don't want:

 

Highlight printer, right click on that - choose remove device. (That may also be an option at the top of the devices and printers window that you have open)

 

 

 

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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

thanks, yes forgot to mention that I'm running WIN7

I'm having so many probs now with constant error messages that I think I'll just uninstall and try reinstall & hope that that fixes the prob!

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Re: How do I get rid of a phantom printer?

If all else fails, who you gonna call, Ghost Busters!!

 

🙂

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
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