HP PhotoSmart Essential error on startup

Question

Hello,
Up until the other day I was not having any issues when I would start my computer.  A few days ago when I started the computer I got a pop-up box titled "HPPhotosmartEssential" and it stated "Please wait while Windows configures HPPhotosmart Essential" and just a couple of seconds later another popup box titled "HPPhotosmartEssential" the the following information - "There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personlel or package vendor"
I no longer have the installation CD for the OfficeJet J4680 printer but I do have the download software so I opened it up and it was installed to the temp folder.  from that I went to start and typed %Temp% and opened up that file and followed the following steps....
Open "Setup" folder
 Open "Scan" folder. Right click on "scan" file (windows installer package) and click on "Repair". If any error appears,  again right click on the file and select "Install" 
Go back to Setup folder and open "bpd_scan" folder. Right click on "bpd_scan" file (windows installer package) and click on "Repair". If any error appears,  again right click on the file and select "Install"   
when I clicked Repair I got a new Window bpd_scan error message which it says: Module C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqebpd2.dll failed to register. HRESULT-2147220473. Contact your support personnel. I Clicked OK & continued to the following step
Go back to Setup folder and open "destinations" folder. Repeat the above process and that repair went fine.
I restarted the pc but the problem still exists.  (I have removed the shortcut for this file which was located in start>programs>startup ----- I removed the shortcut for this file (titled HP Digital Imaging Monitor).
I have also opened a command prompt (ran as administrator) and typed in regsvr32 hpqebpd2.dll and that stated DLLRegister Server in hpqebpd2dll succeeded.
I restarted the pc but when I click on the file to open it (even if I do it as a right click and run as administrator) I am still getting the 2 popup boxes.  And when I click okay or cancel the boxes still pop up 3 or 4 more times before it stops.
I did notice that once I have clicked to run / open that file it does show up in the lower right hand corner but I still get those popup boxes multiple times.
Nothing had changed overnight on the pc so I am not sure why the problem suddenly occurred.  I have run multiple online scans for viruses and malware as well as a boot scan but nothing has been found.   I did run ccleaner and noticed that it found a missing DLL for  C:\PROGRAM FILES\HP\DIGITAL IMAGING\bin\HpqSRmon.exe
I am running Windows Vista Home Premium with all of the current updates and it is an officejet j4680 all in one printer.
Other than trying a complete uninstall of the printer software from control panel or revo uninstaller and then installing the software again I am not sure what I can do to possibly resolve the issue.   The printer software is version 14.
Any other possible suggestions or solutions would be very much appreciated.
TIA
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Answer 1

I have an older HP Photosmart c6380 which has a very similar start-up issue. I have never attempted to tackle this issue as it is the last thing I want to do when I get home from work. I see a lot of people have posted on here so I have questions for you all before we attempt to get too deep into the registry.
The most important question I have for you all is how is your printer connected to your computer?  Did you install it USB, wireless, or ethernet?
Do you all have Solution Center on your desktop?
My printer at home is connected and installed via wireless. I emailed myself this document to help resolve this issue but it mentions using a registry cleaner and I tend to stray away from those because I will have to do a complete L4 uninstall for my non-HP computer in order for a registry cleaner to even work. In fact, at the end of this document I posted it states, "If you do decide to install a registry cleaner, be sure to research the product thoroughly, and then download and install programs only from software publishers that you trust."
For those who consider themselves technologically advanced, these are the steps required to completely clean the printer software and registry keys from the computer. If you do not have the software disc, then I recommend checking this HP website for the latest Full Feature Software and Drivers before uninstalling the device from the computer.
From a download:
1. Run disk cleanup on your computer
2. Download and run the software and drivers below.
3. Once the download is done extracting, cancel the download.
4. Click the start menu.
5. Click Run.
6. Type %temp% in the run field
7. Look for, and open the folder starting with 7z (Example: 7zS2356). There may be many 7z folders, so look for a folder with Util in it.
8. Open folder Util
9. Open folder CCC
10. Run the uninstall_ L4.bat for non-HP computers.  For HP computers run the Uninstall_L3.bat
11. When the uninstall has completed restart the computer
12. Run Disk cleanup from Accessories\ System Tools
13. Download and install the latest version of Adobe flash player
http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads​.html
14. Use the CCleaner Tool link below to clean the system and registry.  Note: This utility is not HP sponsored or approved.  HP and I are not responsible for damages or loss of data caused by the utility.  This step is optional.   You can skip it if you want.
15. Download the full feature software and drivers
16. Run the download to reinstall the printer
Read the document link I posted at the top thoroughly before attempting any troubleshooting steps, because every single one of you have a different operating system and a different printer.  This registry cleaner comes highly recommended but please read this main page before running the software so you have an idea of what it does and how to use it. To download it, click the green Download Now button on the left. If you are too afraid to use it just respond and I can type a brief description. There is a video on this page about how to use this registry cleaner as well.
Let me know if this document helps all of you because I know how hard it is to find something that is easy to understand.
Don't forgot to say thanks by giving "Kudos" if I helped solve your problem.
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