Rick Graves
December 9th 03, 01:40 PM
Hey,
This is about an hp OfficeJet 4110 printer, which claims
to be "designed for Windows XP".
While visiting my parents in Seattle, at their request I
helped install a new computer and printer.
The new computer was a eMachines XP2400 or some such,
which comes with Windows XP Home. So far, so good.
In Win XP, I set my mom up with both an Administrator
account and a normal use Limited account, and explained
to her about using the Limited account for every day
tasks, to LIMIT the damage a virus, worm or Trojan horse
might do.
My parents then brought home an hp OfficeJet 4110
printer, which has the "designed for Windows XP" sticker
on the box.
After installing the printer, I immediately discovered
that it would not print when in the Limited account. If
I changed the limited account to an Administrator
account, I could print. When I changed the account back
to a Limited account, no more printing.
I spoke with several people with hp tech support,
including a "specialist" after my case had been escalated
(hp tech support case number: 94 7303163789). This is
hp's bottom line: Windows has problem with the
privileges, call Microsoft or the computer hardware
vendor.
I explained that I have an hp LaserJet 1200 at the
office, and we print from Limited accounts on that
printer without any problem. I also fetched my brother's
printer, an Epson Stylus Color 660, hooked it up to the
parallel port, and that prints from a Limited account no
problem.
The hp tech support reps claim that the comparison is not
fair, as the LaserJet 1200 and Epson Stylus are simple
printers, while the OfficeJet 4110 has complicated
software. They also claimed that USB printing is more
challenging (the OfficeJet 4110 prints through a USB
cable), and that was a factor.
The hp LaserJet 1200 at the office prints through a USB
interface and cable from Limited accounts without any
problem.
I explained my personal viewpoint on this matter: it is
socially irresponsible for hp to sell a printer that
cannot print from a Win XP Limited account, as this will
result in most buyers simply giving all accounts
Administrative privileges. The end result: hp is
facilitating the propagation of viruses, worms and Trojan
horses.
To the hp tech support reps, I mentioned the Stanford
University IT Department "Best Practices" recommendation,
which can be found here under the heading "Limit
Administrative Privileges":
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/itss/services/securecomputing
/xp.html
I conclude that hp management has charged front line tech
support staff with making excuses and blaming Microsoft
to sweep their design error under the rug. At the same
time, hp is pushing sales of the defective product to the
max by claiming the product is "designed for Windows
XP".
My parents purchased, and I installed, a Brother MFC
3100C, which 1) has the same features, 2) has fancy
software, and 3) prints (optionally) through a USB
cable. After installation, I found that the Brother
prints through a USB interface and cable from Limited
accounts without any problem.
My parents took the hp printer back, so I am not writing
this for myself. I am more concerned about those who
might not be as aware of this issue, and who will simply
give all accounts Administrative privileges. The end
result: hp is facilitating the propagation of viruses,
worms and Trojan horses. I am hoping to publicize this
matter and help motivate hp to do the right thing.
Rick Graves
resident of Seattle, Washington
temporarily residing in Hong Kong
phone +852 2372-0197
This is about an hp OfficeJet 4110 printer, which claims
to be "designed for Windows XP".
While visiting my parents in Seattle, at their request I
helped install a new computer and printer.
The new computer was a eMachines XP2400 or some such,
which comes with Windows XP Home. So far, so good.
In Win XP, I set my mom up with both an Administrator
account and a normal use Limited account, and explained
to her about using the Limited account for every day
tasks, to LIMIT the damage a virus, worm or Trojan horse
might do.
My parents then brought home an hp OfficeJet 4110
printer, which has the "designed for Windows XP" sticker
on the box.
After installing the printer, I immediately discovered
that it would not print when in the Limited account. If
I changed the limited account to an Administrator
account, I could print. When I changed the account back
to a Limited account, no more printing.
I spoke with several people with hp tech support,
including a "specialist" after my case had been escalated
(hp tech support case number: 94 7303163789). This is
hp's bottom line: Windows has problem with the
privileges, call Microsoft or the computer hardware
vendor.
I explained that I have an hp LaserJet 1200 at the
office, and we print from Limited accounts on that
printer without any problem. I also fetched my brother's
printer, an Epson Stylus Color 660, hooked it up to the
parallel port, and that prints from a Limited account no
problem.
The hp tech support reps claim that the comparison is not
fair, as the LaserJet 1200 and Epson Stylus are simple
printers, while the OfficeJet 4110 has complicated
software. They also claimed that USB printing is more
challenging (the OfficeJet 4110 prints through a USB
cable), and that was a factor.
The hp LaserJet 1200 at the office prints through a USB
interface and cable from Limited accounts without any
problem.
I explained my personal viewpoint on this matter: it is
socially irresponsible for hp to sell a printer that
cannot print from a Win XP Limited account, as this will
result in most buyers simply giving all accounts
Administrative privileges. The end result: hp is
facilitating the propagation of viruses, worms and Trojan
horses.
To the hp tech support reps, I mentioned the Stanford
University IT Department "Best Practices" recommendation,
which can be found here under the heading "Limit
Administrative Privileges":
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/itss/services/securecomputing
/xp.html
I conclude that hp management has charged front line tech
support staff with making excuses and blaming Microsoft
to sweep their design error under the rug. At the same
time, hp is pushing sales of the defective product to the
max by claiming the product is "designed for Windows
XP".
My parents purchased, and I installed, a Brother MFC
3100C, which 1) has the same features, 2) has fancy
software, and 3) prints (optionally) through a USB
cable. After installation, I found that the Brother
prints through a USB interface and cable from Limited
accounts without any problem.
My parents took the hp printer back, so I am not writing
this for myself. I am more concerned about those who
might not be as aware of this issue, and who will simply
give all accounts Administrative privileges. The end
result: hp is facilitating the propagation of viruses,
worms and Trojan horses. I am hoping to publicize this
matter and help motivate hp to do the right thing.
Rick Graves
resident of Seattle, Washington
temporarily residing in Hong Kong
phone +852 2372-0197