I simply can't stand printers.
That and wireless networks. The voodoo required to get each of them running is simply through the roof.
I need to print some artwork on a set of CDs quickly for a work project. Since I frown quite heavily on the label approach (sticks in my car stereo, sticks in my slot loading Macintosh computers, scares the living hell out of me that that the label or toner will come off in flecks inside the machine) I opted to find a printer — quickly and cheaply — that could print on CDs.
It led me to HP’s All-in-One C5280. The concept is there, and the printer actually hooked up wonderfully to my Macintosh, contrary to some stories I read about online. The hickup all came after I’d printed a sheet of paper from my Mac and after I’d successfully scanned a document to my Mac.
When I placed the tray, with writable CD that came with the printer, into the slot provided by the printer, the little not-so-informative screen kept playing the video telling me to Load CD/DVD Tray, showing me a animation of how to do this.
I kept trying. Read the instructions. Lined the lines up on the tray with the lines on the printer. Pressed OK. Lots of stuff. Nothing worked.
Called HP support. After much time, several downloads to my Mac, the support person also thought it was a hardware problem. Told me they’d replace my printer. I told her I’d just take it back to Best Buy.
Next day, took it back to Best Buy. Odd, the person at customer service told me to take the printer to the Geek Squad guys to have them look at it in case they wanted to repair it. I told the person at customer service “I don’t care if you want to repair it. I want to return it.”
At Geek Squad, the geek flipped through the open box. Looked at the manuals. Didn’t bother to see if the printer ink that would be related to the open packages in the box was actually in the printer. Must remember this. Perhaps that’s a great way to get some free printer ink!
Back at customer service. Printer returned.
I’m going to go the route of the labels.
Why is it that printers and wireless networks are so difficult to get rolling?