[zero1207]

Every once in a while my powerbook G4 gets really really really slow. Safari takes about a minute to start up or change web pages. I opened activity monitor for the first time while it was doing it and something called "hp communications" was using 98% of my CPU?!?! wtf. My printer wasn't even plugged in. I've searched the forums and some other people have mentioned having the same problem but is there any way to fix it? Reinstall didn't work.

[mduell]

I think the problem is that your printer isn't plugged in. Does this problem every occur when the printer has been connected since startup?

[zero1207]

unfortunately yes, every once in a while I guess the printer software tries to mutiny the rest of the computer. Hostile takeover kind of stuff.

[bowwowman]

long time/well documented problem.......
was supposed to be fixed with the last hp driver update, but knowing HP, I have my doubts.....

cant hurt to try though

[OreoCookie]

Just a guess: is it an HP all-in-one?
I've installed the drivers once since my parents had one and I wanted to be able to print in color, just in case. But the software was so annoying and anal that I had to deinstall it (it would complain every time I log in that the printer wasn't connected -- not surprising since I have a mobile Mac).

[Cold Warrior]

I dumped that stuff recently as well. Also made sure to delete the pieces that launched at startup.