IEEE 1284.4 generic printing support / HP LaserJet printer support

I have an HP LaserJet 3380 (PCL6). For a near substitute, I managed to
install the PostScript printer driver for HP LaserJet 4000. However, there
are some problems:
1. When I install the PCL6 version of this or another printer, test pages
do NOT print, and I have to remove the printer.
2. I have a yellow question mark in device manager next to Generic IEEE
1284.4 printing support. However, I have an "IEEE 1284.4 compatible
printer" and also an "IEEE 1284.4 device" (DOT4 USB) installed without
question marks--presumably for the Postscript version.

Any suggestions? (HP recommended I use the LaserJet 4000 PCL 6--and that's
not working.)

 

Because your printer isn't in the list of supported printers, you have to
trick it to work. The port should be automatically created when you plug the
printer in to the USB port, but it will fail because it doesn't have a
driver. Then go in an manually add the HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL6 driver,
and you should be able to print to it.

Your best bet if this doesn't work is to go to HP and get very specific
steps that will enable your particular printer. Another workaround is to use
a TCP/IP print server externally to your printer, and print to that. It
won't give you the multifunction portion of the device, but the printer
portion of it should work just fine.

 

Thanks. What you say is what happened for the PS driver, but not for the
PCL6. I suspect it has something to do with trying to install two drivers
to the same port, and if I had installed the PCL6 first, I'd be having
problems with the PS. I'll see what HP tells me (they didn't have any
specific steps on their website).

 

You should be able to Add a printer, point to that exact same port, and then
choose a driver for it. It's how I've added both PCL and PS to my printer.

I'm not sure what PCL would gain you that PS doesn't do, however. PCL
drivers are usually faster, especially for that first page, but otherwise, I
don't think they're any better.

 

I can do that, but after the printer is added, it won't print at all to it,
and there is other strange behavior (*LONG* delays to get printer properties
page open for all printers). However, things go back to normal after
deleting the PCL printer. I'll use the PS printer for now, and wait for HP
to release x64 drivers for multi-function lasers. Thanks.

 

I discovered that if I give up bi-directional printer support, the pcl6
driver will work.

The hp drivers are a bit flaky--for example, long print jobs (to both ps and
pcl drivers) tend to give out of memory errors when they didn't under x86,
despite my using the same settings in both x86 and x64.

Also, turning the printer off and on causes the "new hardware found" message
to pop up.

 

It sounds like you're connecting with a standard printer cable, NOT via USB.
I'd strongly recommend USB for this scenario.

 

No, I'm connecting with USB ("(DOT4 USB) "). I'm not sure the 3380 even
has a parallel port, and my computer doesn't.

 

HP claims it has a parallel port, but I'm surprised by the bi-directional
issue then.

 

You're right the 3380 does have a parallel port--it was concealed by the
panel. (But I have only USB ports on my PC.)

I reported the issues to HP, but who knows when they'll have a new driver.
They did suggest trying drivers for older printers (PCL5), so I'll try that.
On the bright side, this has been my only issue with x64--despite all the
32-bit specific custom code I run--and it does boot and run snappy.

 

HP still sticks those parallel ports on pretty much all their printers. I
think they bought a lifetime supply and are trying to get their money's
worth.

 

Got rid of the "new hardware found" pop up and 1284.4 yellow question mark
by re-doing the printer install.

 

good!

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64

 

Thanks Everyone on this Issue. Went from XP to Vista And my 1215
HPphotosmart did want anything to do with this Big move. But after
reading your input . It work when I used HPphotosmart 2570 series.
Works pretty good. I had tried lazer jet and other HP's printes with no
luck. So just try with your module of printer ?