HP printer driver hell

jkcohen · 28 Oct 2009

I have an HP Laserjet 4250 printer.

Windows Update attempted to install the latest PCL6 driver over the original shipping PCL5 driver.

That install failed.

As per MS's instructions, I attempted to install HP's printer driver.
This resulted in a new printer driver, Universal Printing PCL6, which took over the port of the old driver, Laserjet 4250 PCL5.

I can't print from the LaserJet 4250 PCL 5 driver, the LaserJet 4250 PCL 6 driver, or the Universal Printing PCL6 driver.

I can't delete the printers. I can't delete the drivers or the ports from Print Server Properties, because they are all "in use." I get a "this operation is not supported" error.

I need to blow away the entire printing subsystem and start from scratch.

Is there any way of doing this short of backing up my files and reinstalling Windows 7?

whest · 28 Oct 2009

System restore around it - you should always turn off auto update - this is a reoccurring problem with microsoft they supply a driver every now and again that doesnt work. I have it set on - download updates but ask me when to install them, and unticked the box - give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.

jkcohen · 29 Oct 2009

When I try to restore, no restore points are listed. Looks like I'm s.o.l.

Thanks, though.

whest · 29 Oct 2009

They are vista drivers - if you get it sorted out - to avoid a OS mismatch error when installing do the following :

To install a driver OR program in compatibility mode - right click the setup.exe file - click properties - click compatibility - check run in compatibility with vista/xp etc - check run as administrator - leave the rest blank. Start setup.exe and install.

You could try to overwrite the current drivers - go here for your drivers and read the install instructions and any other relevant support options firstly.

HP LaserJet 4250 Printer series- Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

Adrian · 29 Oct 2009

jkcohen said:

I have an HP Laserjet 4250 printer.

Windows Update attempted to install the latest PCL6 driver over the original shipping PCL5 driver.

That install failed.

As per MS's instructions, I attempted to install HP's printer driver.
This resulted in a new printer driver, Universal Printing PCL6, which took over the port of the old driver, Laserjet 4250 PCL5.

I can't print from the LaserJet 4250 PCL 5 driver, the LaserJet 4250 PCL 6 driver, or the Universal Printing PCL6 driver.

I can't delete the printers. I can't delete the drivers or the ports from Print Server Properties, because they are all "in use." I get a "this operation is not supported" error.

I need to blow away the entire printing subsystem and start from scratch.

Is there any way of doing this short of backing up my files and reinstalling Windows 7?

Welcome to Windows 7 Forums.
I will try to assist you in the resolution of the issue: Printer fails to print.
A few questions before we begin please:

When installing Windows 7 was the printer connected to your system?
If not, did you have an install/software installation disk supplied with the printer?
If you did not have a supplied software installation disk, did you download software directly from the HP support site?
If you downloaded software for your printer from HP what version and operating system did you download.

Come back with the information before we proceed so that we can attempt an easy installation.

Regards,
Adrian

Adrian · 29 Oct 2009

Jk, attached is the link to HP for printer drivers for your mentioned driver:
HP LaserJet 4250 Printer series- Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

CAVEAT: As you have attempted to perform an install Windows 7 may report it as an incompllete install. The OP may need to perform a complete removal of all HP software and drivers, disconnect the printer and reload the installation software/or drivers and perform a re-install.

regards,
Adrian

HP printer driver hell

HP printer driver hell

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