Noob Question

I have a PC running windows XP Home Edition, and we use a HP PSC 1210v. I am considering purchasing a laptop that will be running windows 7. I checked the HP website and they do have drivers to update my printer for use with windows 7. My question is : After updating my printer drivers to work with windows 7, will my printer still communicate with, and print from the PC running XP Home?

Hi Michael - Welcome to w7forums

Yes XP will still communicate with the printer

You will only effect Windows 7 when you install the new drivers for the printer. Each machine needs their own drivers to operate the printer.

Thank you for the answer Clifford. Everyone I had talked to about this had said they thought my old PC would still work with the printer. However, they only said this after what appeared to be much thought, and they always seemed to answer in question form.

Once again, thank you for the answer and the welcome.

The thing to remember is you install drivers to the operating system so the operating system can communicate with the device - not the other way around.

That is, for Printer ABC to work on an XP computer, you install XP drivers for that printer onto the XP computer. For Printer ABC to work on the Windows 7 computer, you install Win7 drivers on the Win7 machine.

You don't install anything on the printer.

If the printer maker does not develop drivers for the particular OS, then that printer will not work.

Note you MUST ensure you have the right "bit" drivers too. That is, if you are running 64-bit Windows Vista, you must install 64-bit Vista drivers. 32-bit drivers will not work, even if for Vista.

Notes from someone who's done it: Don't install the software that came with the printer when you get your new computer. Download new drivers instead and you will probably be able to print and maybe scan. You will no longer be able to scan text as editable text with you psc 1210v. HP's response: Old printer, too bad, go buy a new one.

In general, I agree with this completely - especially with Windows 7. It is important to note the "software" that comes with printers is typically MUCH more than just the drivers. Much of it is "fluff" and other stuff that bogs down your system and eats your resources - stuff you just don't need.

For future reference, I recommend buying a printer (or all-in-one) that is already "network ready" - that is, it has an integrated network interface card (wifi or Ethernet - or both). They cost a little more but generally, they allow you to access the printer via your browser. And, for example, with my HP OJ-650, I can scan a document directly into my computer from my browser - without using (or installing) any of the HP software. All I need to know is the IP addressed assigned to the OJ by my router - and that is easy to determine from the router, or from the printer properties in my Windows.