HP Laserjet 4 driver

[hawkeye489]

I have my Laser jet running over a network on win 7 no probs.

On your win 7 OS add a local printer, click nest and windows update. This will give you the drivers you want on your local machine.
Next click add printer but choose network printer, it will then find the drivers on your local machine and work. Don't forget to change to A4 paper if your in Europe.

hope this helps

 

[Zora]

Also having problems with Win7 and old HP printer

I have a very old HP laserjet, a 4m Plus. That's what it says on the printer ... I don't have any documentation; I bought it used years ago.

It used to work with my old XP computer, though getting the computer to SEE it was sometimes difficult. It was connected to the computer with an adapter cable that plugged into my USB hub. I had to have the printer running, then plug and unplug the USB jack, to get the computer to SEE the printer. If I tried to print too early, I'd have to turn the printer off, purge the print queue, and start all over.

But at least I could get it to work. I'm having NO luck at all with my new Win 7 system. I'm not sure what driver to use. I downloaded the whole list from Windows Update and none of the names say exactly 4m Plus. I tried about 4 drivers and none of them worked. Nothing prints. I get error messages.

All the computer seems to SEE is an unidentified device plugged into the USB hub.

Would it help if I plugged directly into the computer? I would need to buy a new, much longer cable if I tried to do that. The computer is on the floor, on a trolley, and the printer is perched on the top shelf of my old computer desk. They're about 4 feet apart. The printer is so HUGE that I can't put it anywhere but up there. I need a new computer desk, but no $$$ .... So the connection runs through the hub, which is only 2-1/2 feet away.

Please, someone, I can't afford a new printer either. Please advise re the correct driver AND getting the computer to see the device at the end of the cable.

 

[svtdot]

Connecting a HP Laserjet 4+ to Windows 7 64bit

After looking at many web forums I realised I was not alone in having problems making my Laserjet 4 work with Windows 7. After many, many hours of research and experimentation I have succeeded and I want to share my experience with others.

• The first requirement is a USB to parallel adapter. Not all of these work (I know this from personal experience). If you live in the UK follow this link
  http://www.cables2u.co.uk/ieee1284-centronics-parallel-printer-cable-p-229.html
  I am sure there must be others but this one works.
• The next preliminary is rather obscure. I discovered that Windows 7 out of the box does not have a driver for the Laserjet 4. Internet research indicated that others had found one, but where was it? I eventually realised that the automatic downloading of Windows drivers did not seem to be working. This is how I fixed it. After clicking start, type Change Device Installation. Follow this by clicking that same listing on the menu that Windows offers. Another window opens headed “Do you want Windows to download driver software and realistic icons for your devices.” If like me, you find the radio button for “Yes, do this automatically (recommended)” and the “Save changes” button is greyed out, select the “No” radio button and click “Save changes”. Then close the window, and go through the above procedure again, this time you should be able the automatic setting and “Save changes” I know it sounds tedious and unnecessary but it was the only way I was able to see an up-to-date list of drivers.
• The final preliminary was the key to progress for me. My internet researches revealed a feature of my Laserjet 4 that was new to me. It’s called a “Cold Reset” and seems to be a way of resetting to the default settings. What it is exactly I‘ll leave to the experts but it worked for me. The process is quite simple. Make sure the printer is disconnected from everything apart from the electricity supply and is switched off. Depress the “On Line” button and keep it depressed whilst you switch on the printer. Leave it depressed until “Cold Reset” appears on the LED. You can now release the button and allow the printer to continue its start process until “Ready” appears. Switch off again.
• Plug in the USB adapter but leave it disconnected from the printer. The PC will detect the hardware and find the drivers automatically. Next go to Start and click on Devices and Printers. The USB device will show as unknown device or something similar. Close down the window and shutdown the PC.
• Connect the USB adapter to the printer and switch on the printer and wait until the printer shows Ready. Now start the PC. Click Start and click on Devices and Printers. Next click on Add a Printer. A new window will open: select Add a local printer. Ensure the “Use an existing port” radio button is selected and open the dropdown list. There should be an entry labelled USB001 (Virtual printer port for USB). Select it and click the Next button. In the new window Select HP and then choose Laserjet 4 from the long inventory listed. Click the next button and it should work. It did for me.
• There may be other and quicker ways of following steps 4 & 5, but that’s the way I did it and it worked!

Good luck

 

[devanb]

Finally got laserjet 4 samba cups to work

In order to install the Laserjet 4 printer over a network select:

Add Printer

Add local printer

Select the http://server/printer

Update list

It works!

If you try and add a network printer directly, the windows update button isn't there.

Thanks to everyone for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[bapayne]

I did everything svtdot listed, as well as tried unchecking "Enable bidirectional..." in the Printer Settings Ports Tab and still nothing.

When I unplug the USB parallel adapter "thingie" and then turn off the printer & computer, turn it printer then computer back on, Windows reinstalls my printer cable adapter but then says "No printer attached."

My grandfather will not use another printer besides this Laserjet 4-- instead he just complains and hates this stupid, expensive new computer we gave him for his 80th birthday. Any suggestions or clarifications on the multitude of so-called "solutions" would be such a huge help and save my relationship with the aging patriach of our family...

Windows 7 Home Premium edition, I think its 64bit but honestly I have no idea how to find out if its that or 32bit or if that would even make a difference. Thanks and I huge "I love you!" to anyone who can or valiantly tries to help me.

 

[WindowsStar]

I did everything svtdot listed, as well as tried unchecking "Enable bidirectional..." in the Printer Settings Ports Tab and still nothing.

When I unplug the USB parallel adapter "thingie" and then turn off the printer & computer, turn it printer then computer back on, Windows reinstalls my printer cable adapter but then says "No printer attached."

My grandfather will not use another printer besides this Laserjet 4-- instead he just complains and hates this stupid, expensive new computer we gave him for his 80th birthday. Any suggestions or clarifications on the multitude of so-called "solutions" would be such a huge help and save my relationship with the aging patriach of our family...

Windows 7 Home Premium edition, I think its 64bit but honestly I have no idea how to find out if its that or 32bit or if that would even make a difference. Thanks and I huge "I love you!" to anyone who can or valiantly tries to help me.

Have you tried the native HP LaserJet 2200 Series PCL 5 driver? That driver should print to the HP LaserJet 4 without issue. -WS

 

[mikkijc]

Virtual Printer Port for USB solved LaserJet 4 issue

I had trouble finding how to get my HP Laserjet 4 printer to work in Windows 7.

My research indicates it would run in Vista using built in drivers, but I didn't have or use Vista. I also tried driversguide, and HP site just says "supported"

When I used one of the available earleir drivers I always get the error message:
"W2 INVALID PERS"

OK Solved it now. Lots of drivers in a package for HP laserjets. Go to the Windows Update page and download the package; here:
Microsoft Update Catalog

I was able to get my LasetJet 4 to work after upgrading to Win 7 from Vista by selecting the Virtual Printer Port for USB.

I have a Belkin F5U002 parallel USB adapter cable and it's controller is listed as IEEE_1284 under Devices and Printers.

After many days of trying lots of different tricks I found that the PRINT DRIVER IS NOT the problem. Some people have had success by unchecking the bidirectional box under the Port Tab under the LaserJet 4 properties box. However, this had no affect one way or another for me.

 

[Lord Of The Mor]

Hi all,

I want to thank all of you for helping with my issue, and since it is fixed now, I thought I would post my success, and my failures leading to it.

I bought a USB to Centronics for my HP LaserJet 4p. Win7 would load the driver, but it stated that it wasn't working properly.

I put it on the table for a time. Then I went and bought another adapter because I thought the one I had was bad.

Same song, second verse. Everything ended the same, Win7 stated that the device wasn't working properly.

Reading through the previous posts in this thread, I went and looked at my setting for my 4p.

My error was that the printer was still installed prior to my last motherboard upgrade, and I had failed to delete it.

Long story shorter, as soon as I switched the 4p properties from lpt1, to usb printer port, everything worked like a charm.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

My first 286 computer was all about the OKI Data tractor feed printer, the thing could make noise, it worked like a charm but noisy it was in spades. Then I bought my first HP printer a HP4 which I loaded with another bank of memory and I think the printer cost me $1,300.00 plus tax back in the day and the memory cartridge was like another $275.00. It has served me almost flawlessly for all this time and still is working strong today. I ran labels through it like crazy and the glue finally gummed it up and I had to have it worked on professionally but that's been it besides cleaner sheets I put thought it. The extended capacity toner cartridge is pricey but it goes goes and goes. This is the machine that built HP's reputation and it is built like a Sherman tank.

 

[JMX]

I got my Laserjet 4 Plus working with the help of an Edimax 1206U printserver. Got the 4 Plus driver via online update, but it doesn't seem to support duplex. Seems to work fine with the Laserjet 2200 PCL 5 driver so far.

Hope this is helping those who are looking to get a LP4+ w/ duplex working in Windows 7 x64.

 

[eunsan]

Thanks to this thread, my HP Laserjet 4 is working with Win 7 - 64 bit.

I bought a USB - parallel cable and followed the instructions (start - devices and printer etc) to install a new printer, initially accepting LPT1. Didn't work.

The second time I tried it, based upon a post by mikkijc (thanks very much), I used the "virtual printer port for USB", and the printer now works.

I made a point of stating that my Win is 64 bit, since in looking at other online info, there was a suggestion that only 32 bit will work with this ancient but still very functional printer. Not correct.

End to a frustrating couple of hours.

Gary

 

[linnemeyerhere]

eunsan,
Welcome to SF and that is great news. The LaserJet4 is a beast that just won't die and even with the toner so outrageously expensive it's still the cheapest cost per page going !
Good work,
the Cheese

 

[fishnbanjo]

My 4L just lost the fuser so it made it not cost effective to repair and I replaced it with an HP 8150 Photosmart that I picked up for $15 at the Thrift Shop in town and it's brilliant. I ran the 4L using a Buslink Parallel to USB conversion cable and 7 picked up both drivers immediately w/o issue. I no longer need this cable..........

 

[linnemeyerhere]

fishnbanjo,
Sounds like an offer which one can't refuse?

 

[fishnbanjo]

Be more than happy to ship it for the cost of postage.

fishnbanjo,
Sounds like an offer which one can't refuse?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

As I already have my HP4 setup and working it would just be a redundant cable. And as a cable whore of Audio, Video and Computer cables it's kind of scary. How long is it and any idea approx. to 91040 in CA.?

 

[fishnbanjo]

6' Media Mail my guess is in the $4 range and Priority Mail $5.35

 

[TechNewbie]

Home Wireless Network

Does this mean there is no way for me to run my LaserJet 4Plus off my home wireless network?
I have installed it from Windows Update, and it installed. It was on a TCP/IP port, 168.168.1.1, and then I also tried 198.168.1.2, but no luck.

On my older system, I ran it off the wireless hub with an ethernet cable from the hub to the printer.
I am running 7 Home Premium.
Thanks.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

TechNewbie,
Welcome to SF. I have mine attached via a usb to parallel cable. But if you had it sorted with XP there should be no reason W7 can't work the same. Give this link a try !

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/4602-xp-7-printer-sharing.html#post75102

 

[easyuser]

If you are trying to "connect" a win7 machine to a HP LJ4 series, install a "jetdirect" card in the LJ and use an ethernet cable to connect to the computer (or, to a port on your local net "switch"). Windows 7 will probably "see" your printer (whether directly connected or through a switch). If not HP has a utility on their website (can't remember the name) that will find pretty much any printer. I used this utility when connecting a HP LJ4 (and 4+) to a win XP machine (both through a switch). Happy printing. Love both my LJ4 and 4+. Have had to do some minor repairs to both but parts and toner are cheap. I usually turn one or the other on for first print job in the day and leave it on until end of day. Don't forget the powersave feature of LJ4+. Happy printing.