Step 1.

Getting the HP Scanjet 4200c driver & scanning software installed under Windows Vista (Tested 12/03/2011) using a HP G60-243cl laptop.

To install the driver and software for the HP4200C Scanjet, be sure the scanner is NOT USB connected to the pc at this time.

You should get the driver and scanning software installed first before Windows detects the HP4200C scanjet on the USB ports; this will allow Windows to find and install the driver otherwise the detection and attempt to install the device will fail.

From the www.hp.com website you can down load the sj655.exe file that contains the XP driver and software for the HP4200C (scanning software needs another update later).  You can find it by entering your model number and searching the Support and Drivers section.

After the sj655.exe download has completed – STOP! You will need to change the compatibility info by right mouse clicking on the sj655.exe file for properties and under the compatibility tab, check the box to run under XP Servicepack 2.

My HP Scanjet 4200c stopped working under Windows when I got my new laptop that runs under Windows Vista.  HP and Microsoft support were of no help on getting the issues resolved.  Basically I was told to junk the scanner and buy a newer one.  Since I was pissed off at HP for not supporting this, I opted to buy a new Epson 4990 scanner and am happy with it (end of story).

Well, in June of 2009 I decided to give it another shot on trying to figure out what the problem really was and to my surprise after my Microsoft update of Vista servicepack 2 - the HP Scanjet 4200c started to be recognized again by the Windows Vista operating system.

It's been over 2 years now that I've gotten my old HP Scanjet 4200c working again but it was not without re-occurring failures.

Basically as Vista matured it's security, it made the scanner fail again.

Today's trick is to re-install the driver as Administrator and maybe keep the properties of the exe program files at a compatibility level of XP Servicepack2.

I have NOT tested this under Windows7/8 yet.

My disclaimer:  I am not a Windows programmer or coder so my efforts are from updates and re-installing.  I certainly make no claim that I'm smarter than HP or Microsoft support.  The difference is I took the time to try it out again and again each time it failed.