Woah, complex set of questions with no easy answer LOL. Are you using the correct method to hook up the printer? HP usually requires you to start installing the software without the printer attached. Then it tells you when to attach so it can be recognised.

How old is your computer?
When was the last time you did a clean up and defrag of the hard drive?
When did you last update and run anti spyware programs?
What make, model of the machine DD wants to get rid of for a new one?
How much memory does it have now?

'Great deals' can be had but you need to know what you want. The Sunday fliers can be a good start. Another way to get a deal is to buy a refurbished machine. These are returned items quite often that have been restored to factory settings. People return them much like you are considering returning your printer.

I agree with all of the above!
I had a problem with my brand new HP all in one printer install cd also(different model) so I went to the HP site and found they had info there concerning the exact problem I had encountered. I tried what they suggested but it would not work because the HP site was having problems also so I phoned the number for HP and they were very nice and helpful he explained the site was down and if I would prefer he could just send me a new cd that had the problem corrected on it so I would have it to keep in my files which I much preferred should I need to do a re-install at any time.
I did have to wait to install but the cd arrived in 2 days.
So you may consider doing some investigating to see if this is a common problem with your model or just call them if it is a brand new unit since it is under warranty.
I do love my HP all in one!

Thank you both very much! Owbist, to answer most of your questions, it might help you to know I only learned what I had to for my job: high-school teacher, then promptly forgot what I'd learned b/c we were never required to use it. Besides, all I had to do was ask a student if I had a problem. They were WAY ahead of me. I used a Mac in those days b/c I sponsored the school literary magazine, and it was supposed to have better graphics. That's what the kids said, anyway, and since they did the layout, I went along. The only other teacher who stuck w/ Mac was the yearbook sponsor. I'm not sure what his reasons were, but he was a lot more adamant about demanding to keep his Mac. Now, years later, it amazes me that our school accommodated us.

When I started trying to install the AIO, I was using my SIL's computer, an ATHLON. He'd just abandoned it here, and I thought it must be better than my HP 515X. But it kept telling me things couldn't be done b/c I didn't have enough "virtual memory," so I went back to the HP.
Gotta go. More later.

chery2

OK, I'm back. Reading my most recent post, I realize I offered way too much unnecessary information. What it all boils down to, Owbist, is that I don't know enough about computers to answer your questions. I don't know what "fragging" means or how I can tell how much memory I have. I got the AIO b/c I like to be able to scan and to make copies. Faxing interests me not at all. BTW, the AIO makes nice copies w/o too much fuss, but I don't know how to save them to a document or put them in an email, which I really would like to know. I'm pretty sure I can find out how by reading the manual, but I'd much rather know why I can't get the AIO to print. Sometimes it will, other times, not. When I go the the Printer Control Panel, I'll delete all documents pending, and it will delete all but the most recent one. Under status for that one, it says, "Deleting. . . ."
Raven, I'm glad to hear about your good experience w/ an HP
"real person." If I DON'T get a new computer, I'll be sure to call them.

chery2