Using XP Mode to print from W7 Pro x64

Yannis · 13 May 2013

I have a Canon D861 laserjet that does not have a 64 bit driver for Windows 7. I'm trying to print as a local USB printer from my apps in Windows 7 64 bit through XP Mode which has the 32 bit drivers loaded and sees the Canon. I can see the printer in Windows 7 under Devices and Printers but the Canon is listed under the Unspecified category and won't come up in the list when I want to print from say, MS Windows.

I have read and tried the threads in the forums here with no luck. I'm about ready to chuck the Canon and buy something with a 64 bit driver. This is happening on one non-networked desktop PC. Thanks for any assistance. One last gasp of a try.

Night Hawk · 13 May 2013

Hello Yannis Welcome to the Seven Forums!

I'm afraid that older model is a bit too old for seeing any 64bit support. The information found in the USA-Cannon Service & Support only shows the following since 64bit drivers were never written for it.

No. This product is not supported in Windows 64-bit Operating Systems.
No. This product is not supported in Windows 64-bit Operating Systems. It is designed to work on Windows 32-bit operating systems only.

The search result page from their knowledge base is seen at Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Apparently that particular model series was discontinued before Vista arrived being the second desktop version to offer the 64bit Windows other then Server 2003 which might by chance have had a 64bit driver on the other hand that might work without any guaranty however. If the older server version saw any or one close enough to work you might get away with using that. Otherwise you will simply need to go with a much newer model.

Yannis · 14 May 2013

Thanks for the response Night Hawk.

My understanding from some posts is that by using Virtual PC, XP Mode in Windows 7 64 bit, you can print apps in Windows 7 via the XP Mode and printer sharing. Not sure if this is the case and was looking for comments and instructions, if possible. I know Canon isn't supporting the 64 bit driver but I'm trying to avoid purchasing another printer.

Night Hawk · 14 May 2013

The main problem is that you definitely would need a 64bit driver for that model if the 32bit won't work. Some 32bit drivers will still work on the 64bit Windows due to 32bit emulation while the best would still be 64bit native drivers. The 32bit that do work are simply too little and far between.

As for the XP Mode itself as you already know you can't install device drivers there like you can on certain other softwares. One program that would see that I still haven't had a chance to give a full try yet is called Bochs which is an open source emulation program that incorporates a degree of hardware detection into it for even being able to run the older Legacy and 2000 versions.

The one place for that printer besides an older XP or Vista x86 machine is one running the 32bit 7 since the 32bit is surprisingly much more backward compatible to the old stuff then most even realize. I ran some old XP drivers for an old 128mb AGP card as well as the onboard sound with a fast temp install of the 32bit on an old clunker put together back in 2003 while the 64bit main case was down for a week or so back in 2010 which ran like a top.

Investing in a new printer is still going to be the best move regardless even if you are able to get this one to work by substituting a WinServer 2003 x64 driver if found for that model series. But you might have to contact Cannon support directly where they can look at their own archives for you there. That would be the only possible solution just in case they ever did have any 64bit which doesn't sound that way at all since they list that model under home and small business while typically Server implies just that corporate where they would be supporting the higher priced models.