New Win7 computers won't connect to shared printers

rboltz · 08 Jan 2014

Slartybart said:

How about trying to get the HP Small Format Plotter (ethernet) talking to win 7 boxes next?)

Did this today and the small plotter is now printing from all machines. As I said, sometimes you need to step away and start over. here is what finally worked;

Completely removed the software/drivers from the xp box and all other machines (it is connected via parallel to an xp box).
reinstalled not using the disks that came with the printer but from windows (update) in the xp box it is connected too.
Tested OK
went to each of the other machines and did the "add printer" "network" and all of them now work.

Conclusion? Old Drivers?

rboltz · 08 Jan 2014

Slartybart said:

There are always caveats with universal drivers.

In my "light" reading today, I came across an analysis of universal drivers written in 2010. It compared HP and Xerox universal and said pretty much what you said - they ain't all that universal. But in a pinch or without a printer specific driver it might be all you get.

Worked on this today but no success. The xerox prints only "PCL ERROR" on a page. I tried to trick the win7 machine by installing drivers from the xp machine but it barfed on those.

I'll work on the above post tomorrow and try the other drivers.

Slartybart · 08 Jan 2014

More good news, yeah probably old drivers.
So that leaves the two printers on Ethernet. HP Plotter LgFmt next? (saving the Xerox for last)

What is the model number of that HP lg fmt printer?

I've sent up a flare, other members might join the "fun"

rboltz said:

Slartybart said:

How about trying to get the HP Small Format Plotter ~~(ethernet)~~ (Parallel connected to XP box) talking to win 7 boxes next?)

Did this today and the small plotter is now printing from all machines. As I said, sometimes you need to step away and start over. .....
Conclusion? Old Drivers?

I also updated the diagram

rboltz · 08 Jan 2014

Gonna leave the HP 500 44" plotter alone as is. I can't remember when anyone used it other then the CAD station even though they had access. The reason is when plotting, you should be in the room. Gotta check the roll size anyway and maybe feed a heavy sheet instead of a roll. And many times the plotter will "ask questions" on the display before you plot. Plus, ACAD and HP have differing opinions of what is "rotated" vs what is portrait and landscape and many times you don't get what you want so watching the plot start saves paper and ink if settings are wrong.

Now, I'll work on the XEROX again. I just printed the documentation for the Mobil driver. What I find strange is Windows Update AND Xerox has dozens of Workcentre Pro drivers but none for the 215 or the 16 which are similar and based on the same machine. Why these were not supported is a mystery.

Slartybart · 08 Jan 2014

Ok, I have a similar issue with the Minolta when I print envelopes - too much paper and ink wasted.

rboltz said:

Gonna leave the HP 500 44" plotter alone as is. I can't remember when anyone used it other then the CAD station even though they had access. The reason is when plotting, you should be in the room. .....

How polite of your printer, mine just goes ahead and wastes my money. Getting the application and printer landscape / portrait options is a problem EVERY time - and there are presets!!!!

rboltz said:

And many times the plotter will "ask questions" on the display before you plot. Plus, ACAD and HP have differing opinions of what is "rotated" vs what is portrait and landscape and many times you don't get what you want so watching the plot start saves paper and ink if settings are wrong.

Saw that too. I don't want to send you down the rabbit hole, but many times, the underlying driver is the same, only the options available are different.

rboltz said:

Now, I'll work on the XEROX again. I just printed the documentation for the Mobil driver. What I find strange is Windows Update AND Xerox has dozens of Workcentre Pro drivers but none for the 215 or the 16 which are similar and based on the same machine. Why these were not supported is a mystery.

If the Mobile Express Driver (MED) works for the 215 - Great!
Remember though the specific driver is installed at PRINT time - so you have to print a test page or something small.

If MED doesn't get you there, perhaps a driver for a similar printer could be used. You'll probably lose some control and functionality taking this approach.... and it's going to take a bit of research to see if one of the other printer drivers would work. I do not recommend this until all other avenues have been exhausted.

rboltz · 09 Jan 2014

The Xerox X-MED driver is postscript only. Says so on the main page and on page 11 of the installation/info document. They should make this clearer. Perhaps that's why the WCP 215 is not supported.

Anyway, I did not install. Will try to find more info on the WCP 215 and why it won't work with the X-GPD driver.

Slartybart · 09 Jan 2014

Ok thanks for the update.

New Win7 computers won't connect to shared printers

Hp 500