New Win7 computers won't connect to shared printers

[rboltz]

You are wise - take a break from this and revisit it when you have the time.

Now i have a real mess. Windows fails to start as it's having conflicts with all the installs/deletes. I had to go back to an early configuration but still have start-up issues. I re-installed the printer earlier today before I last posted and as I said, I had 3 instances of the local printer from one install, could not delete any of them and I could not assign a default printer. Ready to toss the thing and get a new HD for my old xp machine.

Be back later

 

[Slartybart]

Follow option One in this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Pick a restore point somewhere between 4 days ago (when I recommended the xerox universal driver) , and yesterday (when you posted "I thought I had it working). I don't know if the RP is identified with the printer driver, but that would make it easier to choose.

 

[rboltz]

Follow option One in this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Pick a restore point somewhere between 4 days ago (when I recommended the xerox universal driver) , and yesterday (when you posted "I thought I had it working). I don't know if the RP is identified with the printer driver, but that would make it easier to choose.

did that this AM but no luck as the earliest restore point is yesterday. I can't delete the HP software from the control panel. Nothing happens. I did "remove" the icons from the "Device Manager" but in the "un-install a program" the HP stuff does not remove. When starting the machine I get 15 errors in a row telling me that various HP programs are trying to start and need a "disk". All the HP directories (folders) are still there in triplicate. I shut off the stuff in the start-up manager and now can start windows. I also cleaned the registry of the HP stuff I could find but all the HP stuff is still there in the program list.

any ideas of how to remove the HP (7500 printer) from that system (i'm now on my laptop). I don't want to just delete the folders as the OS still thinks it's there. If I uncheck the HP lines in the start-up it still gives all those errors. I hate the thought of a total format and OS install.

 

[Slartybart]

That's what I thought you meant by "go back to an early configuration", but wanted to check.

One RP one day ago - that's unusal, did you click the radio button "Choose a different...."? (Step 7 of the tutorial)

If you're certain that you do NOt have an earlier Restore Point, then you can try this:


What printers, if any, show in Devices and Printers?
Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers

Is this the USB printer?
Yes

1. unplug the USB cable
2. type the word uninstall into the search box on the start menu
   is there an HP printer uninstall listed in the search results (just above the search box)?
   1. Yes? Click on that and follow the information on the screens.
   2. No? Try uninstalling using the HP Printer install disc.

 

[rboltz]

Found more restore points. This is different then XP which shows a big list. Tomorrow I'll go back to when I got the system.

 

[Slartybart]

If you do NOT have a restore point and the unplug/uninstall didn't work, you can try the Revo Uninstaller
Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems - select the FREE version

I don't know if the instller for the free Revo has any extra offers - just pay attention during the install and untick anything that isn't related (usually toobars or Chrome - you don't want that stuff)

 

[Slartybart]

That's GREAT!

Using system recovery restore points will set your machine right back to before I suggested the universal driver.

Found more restore points. This is different then XP which shows a big list. Tomorrow I'll go back to when I got the system.

 

[rboltz]

Some good news

Ran the Revo uninstaller on both the win7 machines and cleaned out all printer related stuff. Now I can print to the attached printer again, after an "internet" install rather then the disk, on the workstation. It still shows up as a bad install but it works AND, I can connect to it from my win7 laptop which i never could do. Onward and upward with the rest of the network

 

[Slartybart]

This is progress - glad to hear it.

To make it easier from this side of your monitor, plaes provide names for all of the devices and how they are connected and to what PC

 

[rboltz]

This is progress - glad to hear it.

To make it easier from this side of your monitor, plaes provide names for all of the devices and how they are connected and to what PC

Q&D sketch attached. Since ACAD 2009 won't run on my win7 desktop either (another win7 failure), best I can do quick.

 

[Slartybart]

I said it didn't have to be fancy, but I think this issue has really frazzled you.

When I opened the doc you attached, I see the pic I posted.

Win7 is actually a pretty good OS - it's just different from our years of experience. It took me two months to figure out how to do things that I could do blindefolded in XP or Vista. Once I got over the learning curve (it's a long and windy road..) I like the way MS chose to do things in Win7 - hated it for two months.... but that was then.

:tip: Lots of things are in alternate menus now (right click -> alternate menus)

 

[Slartybart]

Re AutoCAD 2009

I caught something about a patch, but lost closed the page and couldn't find it for specifics. So I'll just ask if your ACAD is up to date: Autodesk - Autodesk AutoCAD Services & Support - Updates & Service Packs


When I was trying to locate the page I closed, I also came across this: Autodesk - Autodesk AutoCAD Services & Support - Windows 7 Support for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Which basically says AutoDesk doen't support ACAD 2009 on Windows 7, but then mentions running ACAD in compatibility mode (emulated XP)

 

[rboltz]

Which basically says AutoDesk doen't support ACAD 2009 on Windows 7, but then mentions running ACAD in compatibility mode (emulated XP)

Tried that, doesn't work on the 64 bit machine but works on the 32 bit laptop

here is that drawing again since you did not get it

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks, I'll refocus on the printer network. Maybe a new thread for the ACAD issue.

Any progress on the rest of the network after your initial success with the two Win7 machines?

I would hold off on the Xerox until everything else is in order.

 

[rboltz]

Thanks, I'll refocus on the printer network. Maybe a new thread for the ACAD issue.

Any progress on the rest of the network after your initial success with the two Win7 machines?

I would hold off on the Xerox until everything else is in order.

I tried the xerox driver on the laptop hoping the 32 bit may work but same issue, prints junk or all black pages.
I also have tried printing to the small format HP but nothing comes out so I tried one of the fixes. Connected the printer using the USB instead of the parallel and the software hung up the machine (XP). Some research shows the HP program "scruber2" is flawed and takes over the machine and will run forever during a re-install. It is supposed to clean out old versions of the drivers, etc., and allow a clean install. Doesn't work and I quit for the day after having to clean out the crap again.

ACAD is a small issue right now. It is running on the XP machines fine.

 

[Slartybart]

The Win7 32 bit is E5410 right?

I almost suggested scrubber, but decided against adding another variable to solving the issue(s).

A restore point will get you back without much effort.

About the Xerox universal driver - it claims that it provides driver support not only for Xerox. We'll both have to read more, but my thinking is that if it sees other printers, it might try to install a driver for that printer. I could be wrong on that so enjoy your day "off" - I'll read up.

If there's a eureka!, I'll post it.

 

[rboltz]

The Win7 32 bit is E5410 right?

I almost suggested scrubber, but decided against adding another variable to solving the issue(s).

A restore point will get you back without much effort.

About the Xerox universal driver - it claims that it provides driver support not only for Xerox. We'll both have to read more, but my thinking is that if it sees other printers, it might try to install a driver for that printer. I could be wrong on that so enjoy your day "off" - I'll read up.

If there's a eureka!, I'll post it.

Yes, the E5410) is a Dell Laptop 32 bit
As for the Xerox driver, I have the documentation and it says supports "most" printers. I kind of doubt that. The driver supports PCL5 or PCL6 and I know my HP printers don't use that. Especially the plotter which uses a GL driver. (HGL/3?)
Lots of scrubbers out there for HP but the one I need is full of bugs. It is reported in many posts out there.

 

[rboltz]

Ran the Revo uninstaller on both the win7 machines and cleaned out all printer related stuff. Now I can print to the attached printer again, after an "internet" install rather then the disk, on the workstation. It still shows up as a bad install but it works AND, I can connect to it from my win7 laptop which i never could do. Onward and upward with the rest of the network

BTW way, as I mentioned above, the printer works but always showed up with error messages. Today, they magically went away! The "properties" no longer show a "trouble" icon either. I guess the Microsoft genies did a late night visit!

 

[Slartybart]

Lots of reading, no eureka.

I did find a related driver on the Xerox site: Mobile Print Driver - Xerox
The Global driver seems more suited to a print server, although the documentation does not stipulate that.
The major difference I saw between the Global (X-GPD) and Mobile (X-MED) driver is when Printer drivers are acutlaly installed
Global - at install time
Mobile - at print time

I cobbled together installation instructions for X-GPD on Win7, although I have no way of testing

I highlighted things I thought were important. The install reference wasn't clear to me at the Have Disk step. I understand that it's telling the reader to open an inf file - the name of the inf file isn't clear or where that inf file is located. I did some testing and when I got to that point, the browse window open in Windows\system32.. not Windows\inf - it's probably a last used queue thing.

I could test any further since I don't have the same network, devices, or driver(s).

Action​

|

Objective​

************* | ************************************************************
Launch | X-GPD install file
Select | Install (extracts the driver)
Select | Finish
************* | ************************************************************
Click | Start Menu orb
Click | Devices and Printer (on the right hand side of the start menu)
Select | Add a Printer (below the window address box)
Select | Add a Local Printer
Select | Create new port of type Standard TCP/IP Port
Next |
Select | TCP/IP as the Device type
Type/Enter | Hostname or IP address
Untick | Query the printer checkbox
Next |
Ignore | Additional Port Information Required dialog (if presented)
Next |
Select | Have Disk
Click | Browse
Select | Printer inf file
Click | Open
Click | OK
Select | Printer from the list
Next |
Type/Enter | Display name for the printer (i.e. 3rdFloor_HiSpeed)
Default Prtr? |
Next |
Test Page? |
Finish |

There's nothing in this post that you need to act upon - I put it here so I didn't lose the thoughts.

When You're ready to tackle this again - send me a Private Message (PM)
Click on my Member Name (not my avatar) and a menu is presented - select send a private message.

There are different bitdepth versions. Also I noticed that the Download from web not only includes all PDL but seems to include Mobile.

From the Xerox download page

Install from Web
PCL | PostScript | V3 Driver | WHQL | Global | Mobile
​

GPD
64 bit: Global Print Driver Drivers & Downloads
Install from Web: Global Print Driver File Download

GPD
32 bit: Global Print Driver Drivers & Downloads
Install from Web: Global Print Driver File Download

---

MED
64 bit: Mobile Express Driver Drivers & Downloads
MED
32 bit: Mobile Express Driver Drivers & Downloads

 

[Slartybart]

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. No, I'm not suggesting the HP universal driver.... Nooooooo

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

I don't know why it is this way, but Chev65 pointed to Jimbo's post (poodle faking) and the Xerox doc reinforces that information. My post above shows a local printer port configured with TCP/IP (poodle fake?). I'm guessing all you need is the correct driver for that printer
(since you have two machines, you'll need both 32 & 64 bit drivers for Win 7)

So to recap...
You have E5410 (Win7 laptop) printing to the HP Inkjet connected via USB to OPT7010 (Win7 Desktop).
There are no error msgs and there are no alerts warn