Do I need a print server?

[kornphlake]

I have a konica minolta pagepro 1350w laser printer that has been a pretty good printer for a long time, but I recently upgraded my computer and installed windows 7 64-bit. It appears that there aren't any 64-bit drivers for this printer, and never will be. Monochrome laser printers can be found pretty cheap, but I'd rather not have to replace a printer that is working just fine.

Previously I had the printer connected to my XP pro 32-bit computer (that's no longer available) and shared it with my laptop running windows 7 32-bit, however in order to share the printer I remember having to install drivers on the laptop even though the printer wasn't physically attached to the laptop.

I had the idea that a print server might be a good solution but I'm not sure I understand how they work as far as installing drivers, will I still need a 64-bit driver installed on the client pc running a 64-bit OS?

 

[Horsepower]

Doesn't Konica have a generic driver that will work? When I started using 64 bit with HP laser, I would use the 6L, 64 bit driver. Then they later came out with drivers for my 2840.

 

[Six]

A print server won't solve your issue. You'll still need a 64 bit print driver to print from win 7 64 bit. A work around is to use windows xp virtualization on win 7 to print. Print from win 7 as a *.xps image to a folder. Open that file with virtual win xp and print.

 

[kornphlake]

Konica doesn't have a generic driver as far as I can tell. I tried installing drivers for a similar printer and it didn't work, others have reported failed attempts as well.

I'm not really keen on the idea of having to print to a file then open a virtual machine and print again, I've upgraded to modern operating systems to avoid klunky work arounds like this. I don't think the work around will help anyway, I believe xp virtuilization is only a feature in pro and ultimate, I have home premium.

Office max has a good deal on a monochrome laser printer, I'll probably just go pick up one of those.

 

[Six]

Force win 7 to use the 64 bit vista drivers for the page pro 1400w by using the "have disk" option. There shouldn't be that much of a difference between a 1350w and 1400w? Should work 90% of the time.

 

[kornphlake]

Force win 7 to use the 64 bit vista drivers for the page pro 1400w by using the "have disk" option. There shouldn't be that much of a difference between a 1350w and 1400w? Should work 90% of the time.

I already tried that, it didn't work.