Additional Print Drivers (x86) for Homegroup

[richie65x]

I am having no luck trying to locate and install (x86) / 32 bit printer drivers for an HP LaserJet 4 plus printer.

I'm running Win 7 64 bit and am trying to add additional drivers for the printer so that I can share it (via Homegroup) with other machines running Win 7 (x86) / 32 bit. I am prompted to provide the location of the driver...

I found a download for the driver (HP says the file is already part of the OS, but I cant find it) and that part goes fine (I think?)...

The next step is asking "Install components from Windows media". It looks like it wants the 'ntprint.inf' file, but the one on the machine (in the 'ntprint.inf_x86_neutral_c4c11fe1f3d01835' folder) will not work, I get this pop up: "... INF does not contain the required driver components"

I have also tried several work-around / cheats - such as trying to grab a copy of 'ntprint.inf_xxx' from other (32 bit) locations, with the same results.

Any suggestions or remedies?

 

[theog]

Try here:

HP LaserJet 4 Plus/m Plus Printer series- Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

 

[richie65x]

I already tried HP... Thanks tho!

HP site is where I started looking...

HP LaserJet 4 Plus - Category 3 <== Link

HP support site no longer has drivers for (Category 3 printers, including) the LaserJet 4 Plus for XP or later... Their site states that the drivers are already part of the OS (and they are). But that may not be the problem I am up against...

I found a download for the driver (HP says the file is already part of the OS, but I cant find it) and that part goes fine...
​

I found a site that had the HP drivers - I think this part is OK, but I wont know until I can complete the x86 driver install...

So, like I said... I think I have the driver for the printer... It is the next step in adding the drivers that I am hung up at...

The next step is asking "Install components from Windows media". It looks like it wants the 'ntprint.inf' file, but the one on the machine (in the 'ntprint.inf_x86_neutral_c4c11fe1f3d01835' folder) will not work, I get this pop up: "... INF does not contain the required driver components"
​

It is at this point that I am stuck.

Anyone?

 

[richie65x]

SOLVED - Additional Print Drivers (x86) for Homegroup

I GOT IT TO WORK... / NOT STUCK ANYMORE

I had no luck getting the additional drivers to install on the 'Host' machine running Win 7(x64). So much for locating Print Drivers on the Homegroup Network.

Here is what ended up working:
~STEP ONE-
On the 'Remote Machine' running Win 7 (x86) I installed (Added) the HP 'LaserJet 4 Plus' as a local printer to LPT1... If the 'LaserJet 4 Plus' is not listed in the HP category, hit the 'Windows Update' button - this will add a complete list of printers including the 'LaserJet 4 Plus'. Finish the Install (including it as the Default printer...This printer will be removed later). This step will tell the OS about the printer and its drivers for the Next step (two) to work...

~STEP TWO-

   Note

   Note

(The "Host Machine has to be running so the 'LaserJet 4 Plus' can be found on the network created by the Homegroup - and the printer has to be shared.)
​

Again, on the 'Remote Machine' Add a Network printer and Select the 'LaserJet 4 Plus'. Then simply install the printer as usual. Set it as the default printer if you want to. When the Networked printer is installed. The Printer added in step one can be now be removed.

Hopefully this will be found so others can use it... I would think that it should work for any other printer as well.