Laptop running XP desires to connect to desktop running windows 7-driver needed for HP 2840 color laserjet before connection to windows 7 desktop-is driver put on laptop or desktop

The Windows 7 has a compatible driver for many teams, try your printer is a greatadvantage when connecting it almost immediately begins to install. And do not waste your time searching for drivers on the network, there is little to W7

I had a similiar problem and was using Windows Vista which was not compatible with the XP Installation package. The onboard drivers would not work either. Check to see if your printer is compatible with your version of windows.

Are you using the same cable to connect? The 2800 series printers do not tolerate USB cables over 10 feet and I have had some that would not connect properly unless a 6 foot cable was used. If you are using the same cable then it is possible that the drivers for the docking station are not installed properly on your laptop and you might need to update them from the manufacturers website.

The LaserJet 2600N has a built-in print server and can be connected to the local network (normal ethernet cable) directly. While printer sharing via Windows should work, I found it much more convenient to access it without the need of a hosting computer - you do not need to switch on the desktop PC for printing from the Laptop, for example, its also printing faster.

Are you using Windows Vista, try using a computer with windows XP. for some reason the HP vista driver is not always compatiable with windows vista.

The problem is Vista. I had a similar problem and the only solution at the time was to remove vista and install good old reliable XP. Now just put windows 7 on and you should be ok.

I pulled this from the HP boards from Charlie Bravo

I tried it and it worked for me. (this is a network setup.)
MY FIX (Windows XP):
After trying numerous things, here is what I resolved:

1) Problem: when trying to scan using my 2820 Color Laserjet using "Solution Center", I got the dreaded, yet common error: "An error communicating with the scanning device. Please ensure that the scanning device is connected properly and try again"
My device: HP LJ2820 Color Laserjet

2) The printer worked fine when printing to it and also, scanned fine when using the Windows Wizard (Start/All Programs/Accessories/Scanner and Camera Wizard

3) Hewlett-Packard Support was less than worthless since they used my time and provided no useful information. Their ineptitude is legendary as we all know... To add insult to the injury, the rep wanted to charge me $25 for the "incident" which happens to be to not only identify teir bugs but also to report and fix them as an unwitting test site. Arrogant of them to say the least !

4) SOLUTION: Added an entry in the HOSTS and lmhosts file (this file is located in WINNT/SYSTEM2/DRIVERS/ETC ):
192.168.1.1 HP Color Laserjet
The 192... etc is the default gateway for my printer (look in toolbox and get the network report for yours, my printer is connected using the network, wired to a Linksys router)

Dont's bother with "reinstalling", "de-installing", etc. the problem is related to addressing and not corrupted drivers. It's simply a HP bug, nothing else.

5) Ran the "patch" col10862.exe from the hp site, listed under an unrelated problem to an unrelated printer. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&softwareitem=sj-32245-2&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

6) Now I can can use the the scanner I paid for...

7) Time to resolve the issue: 2 minutes. time to find the resolution to the issue: 4 hours.

You can download drivers from the link below:

HP Color LaserJet 2550 Printer series - Download drivers

Try below link, it may be able to help resolve you problem...
http://etech.maiila.com/hp-color-laserjet-2800-all-in-one-printer-series-driver-manual-and-software-download-including-for-vista

Good Luck

hmmm..suggest new drivers as first step