Hi all,

I posted already in the "Rants and Raves" forum that I like Windows 7 very much and that it performs much better than Vista does, however there is one little problem (I posted there already but this subforum seems a better place to me): I can't get my Laserjet III printer working.

The Laserjet III printer works perfectly under Vista (using the standard Laserjet III Vista driver), but when I try to get it to work under Windows 7 all attempts fail. It isn't even listed in the "Add Printer" wizard. I spent hrs on the internet trying to find a working driver (google, driverguide.com, windrivers.com, hp-site) to no avail.

I found out that Windows Vista has a lot of drivers listed in the C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository subfolder. I was just wondering if I could copy the HP ones to my Windows 7 installation and the try to add my laserjet III printer? My HP all-in-one USB printer installed perfectly (although HP-software doesn't seem to install, I just powered-on the printer and Windows 7 automatically installed it).

If my solution isn't possible, is there maybe another solution/workaround to get this fixed? It's the only problem that keeps me from using Windows 7 as my daily main operating system. All the rest works fine.

This is what I found from HP regarding Laserjet III drivers for Vista:

Your product is supported. Drivers for HP printers are included with the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System.
HP has a Windows Vista driver solution available for your product. This driver will enable your product's basic functions to work.
HP is committed to providing the best experience for HP products in the Windows Vista operating environment.
You can conveniently find this driver in your Windows Vista operating system, today.
At this time the driver will only be available on the Windows Vista operating system through the “Add a Printer” wizard. HP does not plan on placing this legacy driver on http://www.hp.com.

I wonder if they intend to do the same for Windows 7? If that's the case, you may be out of luck until a retail version of Windows 7 comes out. I haven't tried yet, but does Windows 7 have the add a printer wizard? If it does, Windows Update may find a driver for you.

I don't see any HP printers listed that support less than PL5. If HP doesn't supply a driver you may be out of luck.

Thanks for your replies,

I want to test the following scenario:

1. install vista (incl SP1) and then install the laserjet III printer.
2. run windows 7 setup as an upgrade from vista and see if the laserjet III is still listed.
3. in case the printer is still listed continue installation of further updates, software, etc.

In my opinion the fact that the laserjet III is not listed in the "add printer wizard", does not necessarily mean that it doesn't work. A laserjet III printer driver was included in Vista. If I'm not wrong Microsoft stated that Vista drivers should work in Windows 7.

Well, I will keep you informed about my Laserjet III troubles and will tell you if my solution worked (after re-install).

This solution worked!

I installed Vista Ultimate (incl SP1), didn't enter a serial number (and of course I didn't activate). After installation of Vista finished I installed my HP Laserjet III printer via the "Add printer" wizard.

The next step was upgrading to Windows 7. That went OK. I was happy to see my printer still listed (I tested the printer and it worked flawlessly).

I was really amazed when I found out that Windows 7 update found a better driver for my Laserjet III. Seems like Windows 7 fully supports this printer, but why did Microsoft not add that printer to the "Add printer" wizard ?!

Anyways, this problem is solved and I will use Windows 7 now as my main OS.

Greetings,

Jan

You should send this feedback to Microsoft. You can use the "Send feedback" icon on your desktop.

Hello to All,

When you are on the page of "Add Printer" where it lists all the printer types; if you click on the "Windows Update" button it will update the lists of printers with all of the older printers that you are used to seeing there. After you click on the button it may take a few minutes for it to update and it will look like it is not doing anything, but the "Windows Update" button will be grayed out. Once the button becomes active again you will see all of the printers.

Here is another link to detailed descriptions of how to get any of the legacy printers to work in Windows7 / Windows7 x64

http://www.lostcircuits.com/forum/viewt ... f=11&t=576

Hi all,
Just want to add my own experience in this problem.

I have a HP LaserJet 5L that has been working very well since 1996 when I bought it. It is still working so amazingly well that I don't want to give it up. Anyway, up to Vista, the printer driver had always been included in the OS installation disc. But when I first switched to use Windows 7, I couldn't find that driver any more. I thought that was because I was using the Release Candidate version of Win7, and the retail version would include more drivers. However, I was wrong because when I bought and installed the retail version of Win7, it still didn't include the driver for my printer. I tried to search everywhere but couldn't find a suitable driver for Win7. I didn't find this forum (before today) either, otherwise, I would have saved myself a lot of time with the suggestions by people on this forum.

Aimed with the basic fact and knowledge that I know my HP LaserJet 5L works under Vista, and I still have 2 machines running Vista with this LaserJet 5L driver installed, here are the different approaches I took:

1. Manually copying printer driver -> this didn't work:
I tried to copy all files (maybe 6 or 7) in the [system32/spool/drivers/w32x86/3] folder of Win Vista over to Win7 (I found them by opening up the properties of that printer on a windows Vista machine), then proceeded to install the printer, I did see the HP LaserJet 5L driver listed in the list, but Win7 gave me an error about something related to 'Kernel mode'.

2. Used XP/Vista installation disc when asked for printer driver -> this didn't work:
I tried to install the printer as normal, when asked to select a printer, I clicked on "Have Disc" button and browsed to the installation disc, but it couldn't find any driver for my printer.

3. Used Double Driver software -> this didn't work:
I ran DD on a Vista machine, scaned the system for drivers. DD found many drivers for other hardware devices, but none for my HP LaserJet 5L.

4. Shared the printer first, installed as shared, then re-installed as local (or as network) -> this worked:
I shared the printer on a Vista machine, then went to Win7 machine, browsed to the networked machine, double-clicked on the shared printer, waited a few seconds (probably 1 min), Win7 then asked if I trusted the source, I said 'Yes', then it started downloading driver files from Vista machine to Win7 machine.
After verifying the shared printer worked, I installed the printer locally, then removed the previously installed (shared) printer, leaving the locally installed printer intact. I then unshared the printer from my Vista machine (this is optional)

5. Used "Windows Update" button on Add Printer dialog -> this worked:
After being successful with the LaserJet, I wanted to try a different way for another printer, a HP PhotoSmart P1000 which is not supported even in Vista. I know there is an equivalent of it on Vista, it is HP Deskjet 930C/932C/935C, and this was the driver that I installed for the PhotoSmart on the other Vista machines. But this time, for the Win7, I didn't use the shared method, instead, when asked to select printer from the list (which of course didn't include the PhotoSmart P1000), I clicked on "Windows Update" button. It took about 5 (or so) minutes to update the list, after the list was updated, I saw what I was looking for: the HP Deskjet 930C/932C/935C (Which is a substitute for the PhotoSmart P1000). I also saw HP LaserJet 5L in the list. selecting HP Deskjet 930C/932C/935C allowed me to successfully complete the installation of the PhotoSmart P1000.

I then bought DLink Wireless printer server (DPR-1260, btw, this is an excellent printer server) and set up these printers wirelessly using method #5 with a slight difference: these are networked printers, not local anymore (#4 would still work too, I just didn't want to share/unshare).

I didn't think about installing Vista first, install printer, then upgrade to Win7. That would work as someone else suggested, but it is a long way.

I am happy now. My Win7 machine is working great.

Hi vbcome. Welcome to VistaHelp.ca. Thanks for sharing what worked for you. I'm sure it will help someone down the road.