Printer Driver Issue

[Swampster]

I am designing a new system for a client who is an engineer. He is in great need of a newer and faster computer, but would like to keep his printers as if possible.

The only printer that gives me any concern is his HP DesignJet 430. HP lists a VISTA driver for 32 bit or 64 bit, but nothing for Windows 7. From what I know about printer drivers (which is NOT MUCH), I am under the impression that a Vista printer driver should work with Windows 7.

As this is a rather expensive printer (about $3500 to replace with a current model), I would feel much better about my recommendation if I could back it up with a report that confirms my understanding.

Anybody have any experience with this type of printer and/or using a Vista driver with Windows 7.

 

[bruceb]

Found this at this link:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7hardware/thread/f137b013-112c-48e8-af65-075ab8bd9ba7

It may work for you.

I just got my HP 430 Designjet working on Windows 7.
I purchased an Ieee1284 to USB printer cable, hooked it up and turned on the printer.
Then I went into my Windows 7 Devices & Printers and clicked on add a printer.
Then I selected Add a Local Printer & selected Use an existing port, then selected
USB001 (Virtual Printer Port for USB). I selected my printer and Windows searched for it and found the HP 430 Designjet. I downloaded it and it works perfectly with my DeltaCad 7.0 softwear.I have no idea which 430 driver Windows 7 loaded, but the program is much smarter than I am - IT WORKS!

 

[JackMDS]

Many time when you do not find Win 7 Drivers for hardware that was reeased more than a year ago by credible manufacturers, it means that they submitted their Win 7 drivers to Microsoft to include it with Win 7.

Example: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Search.aspx?s=HP%20DesignJet%20430&type=Hardware&page=1

This page claims that is Not compatible. Some people like Bruce make it work for them.

It might be that they updated it later. However since it is for business I would suggest that you contact HP support and asl them about it


The entrance is here, http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Default.aspx

 

[Swampster]

Thanks for the replies!

Let me narrow the question a bit . . . will a Vista driver likely work in Windows 7? Or, is there too much difference in the operating systems to expect this.

 

[vailr]

Thanks for the replies!

Let me narrow the question a bit . . . will a Vista driver likely work in Windows 7? Or, is there too much difference in the operating systems to expect this.

Windows 7 is not "that" different. It's sort of like: Vista - Second Edition. Any Vista driver for peripherals such as printers, scanners, and the like should work fine in Windows 7.

 

[Swampster]

Thanks Vailr,

I think what I am going to do is do a quickie installation of AutoCAD on my Win7 Beta system and take it over to the client's office and try to install the designjet and see just see what happens.

 

[bruceb]

Jack, I did not make it work for me. I simply posted a link and the information from there from someone who says they did get it to work.

 

[vailr]

I have an 8 year old Memorex brand USB flatbed scanner that only has XP 32-bit drivers available, which install and seem to work fine in Windows 7 64-bit.
So: I'm guessing that most USB peripheral devices should probably work with any Win XP or later device driver that's available.