Dimension 4500, got a new printer, HP 6540.  Have not been able to install, have tried both the CD and drivers downloaded from HP's web site.

 

When using the HP software, I wait for the prompt to connect the printer.  However, within one second, before we can connect, the screen changes to Looking for New Hardware / Please make sure the printer is connected.  When we connect it, this screen doesn't change, but a new Windows-type "Found New Hardware" screen appears and tries to install the software.   This runs and then we get an error message:  Driver Installation file is missing a necessary entry.  This may be because the INF was written for Windows 95 or later.

 

I have also tried the Add a Printer function through Control Panel, but when it gets to the part where you select the Port, it doesn't show my USB ports in the dropdown window.   I rec'd one suggestion to use System Restore to an earlier date, but that doesn't seem to work.  System Restore wouldn't allow me to restore to any of the earlier dates.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.