Add Network Printer drivers in Windows 7/Server 2008 R2?
This is basically a 32-bits/64-bits problem: The printer is on a 32-bits server and is being accessed by a 64-bits client. Any attempt to install this printer fails because the driver being offered by the 32-bits print server is incorrect, since it's offering a 32-bit driver.
See this article for installing 64-bits drivers on the client machine:
How to Install HP Printer Drivers In Windows 7 - Inbuilt Drivers
The idea is to install a fictional printer on Windows 7 using the correct 64-bits driver, then convert it to a network printer. You should proceed as follows:
- Install 64-bit printer driver for the client machine, as in the above link, as a local (not network) printer. If, during installation, you are prompted to connect the printer to your computer, choose the option to proceed with installation without connecting the printer. Install to LPT1 (default) only. (port change is done after install completes in Steps 5 & 6)
- After installation completes, open the Printers applet from the Windows 7 Control Panel.
- Right-click on the new printer and choose Properties.
- Go to the Ports tab.
- Click Add Port…, select Local Port, then click New Port…
- For the port name, enter exactly the network path and share name of your printer. For example
\\Windows2000\HP LaserJet 5Si, Click OK, and double-check that this new port is selected with the checkbox next to it. - Click OK to close the printer properties.
The above was written with a Vista machine in mind, so please adapt the procedure to Win7 wherever necessary.
I also used the Vista driver for my printer. In windows 7, if you add the printer as a shared printer on a remote machine, does it not allow you to cherry pick your own driver/inf?
Yeah, HP is pretty clueless when it comes to Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2.
For the HP printer I had to add to my Windows 7 machine, I just used the Vista driver, and it works just fine.
EDIT
I didn't notice before, but it looks like the printer is using a PCL driver. I found this page on HP's website advising that you use the XP driver. Ugh.
HP LaserJet Support Doc