Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Harold Todd McMillan

Steve R Wiley

James Wyatt Lomas

Rajpal Gill

A method and apparatus for providing on line assistance to an end user who is experiencing a problem with a computer. The computer includes a display, a monitoring unit, and a browser. The browser is loaded on the computer and is configured to establish an on-line session with another computer when the browser is enabled. The monitoring unit periodically monitors the other computer for any messages destined for the computer when the browser is closed.

Method and apparatus for optimizing client responsiveness and server performance

The method of the invention enables installation of a network printer onto a client processor and employs a server for managing printer installations. Initially, the server receives a printer identifier message from the network printer and then creates an executable installation program using identifier information from the printer identifier message. Thereafter, the server transmits an e-mail message to the client processor, which e-mail message includes an executable printer driver installation program. Upon receipt of the e-mail message, the client processor recognizes the executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize the network printer.

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Boise, ID, United States of America

Harold Todd McMillan