Tutorial for the EASIEST (maybe only?) way to install a problematic legacy printer such as the HP LaserJet 2100 on Windows 10 current versions

[arlen holder]

Tutorial for the *EASIEST* (maybe only?) way to install a problematic
legacy printer such as the HP LaserJet 2100 on current Windows 10.

*******************************************************************
How to install the HP LaserJet 2100tn on Windows 10 in 2019
*******************************************************************
Please improve so that everyone benefits from your actions.

Note that the procedure outlined below will be the same for other legacy
printers which also do not have current Windows & manufacturer drivers, and
which also don't have updates on the specific Printer Windows Update
mechanism.

NOTE what will NOT work:
o The HP web site does NOT have the printer driver.
o The default Microsoft Windows 10 can not find the printer driver.
o The special printer-based Windows 10 Update does not find it either.
o This is the _best_ known method of installing the legacy printer driver!
o Note that you can _build_ your own printer driver (but that's crazy)
(If you know of any other working method - please advise.)
===================================================================
WARNING: If you try the "normal" method of installing some legacy
printers (such as the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 2100), you will fail.
===================================================================
This is the _only_ known way that _still_ works, in 2019 anyway.
(Get & archive your legacy printer CAB files while you still can.)
===================================================================
First, _try_ to get Windows to install the printer driver on its own.
(You will fail.)

Then, _try_ to use the special printer-based "windows 10 update" process.
(You will fail.)

Then _try_ to find the legacy printer drivers on the HP web site.
(You will fail.)
<https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-2100-printer-series/25469/model/14918>

Then, obtain & archive the all-important legacy printer CAB file from:
<http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx>

You _can_ attempt to build your own HP Printer Driver from the
"HP Printer Administrator Resource Kit" located here (but that's crazy).
<https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL40860/ds-99433-22/PARK-v1.8.6.zip>
===================================================================
After all else fails, the _easiest_ method to install a legacy printer
is...

Search for the all-important CAB file for the HP LJ 2100tn printer.
<http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=laserjet%202100>

Choose the CAB file to download that best fits your legacy printer.

For example, for the "HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5", Windows x64:
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2009/07/4188_bacd1413e93b4a6362d9a2ca653c869f1c02f6f7.cab>

Or, for example, for the "HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL6", Windows x64:
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2009/07/4189_1228a7cf7b1aac21346b20cb6e21db409dde9e72.cab>

I used 7-Zip to extract the CAB to my archive location:
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\.
<https://www.7-zip.org/download.html>

After extracting make sure you have the critical "inf" file!
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\prnhp001.inf
===================================================================
Only after you have the CAB extracted will the add-a-printer work!

First make sure the printer is on the network:
ping <your printer IP address>

Then you can install the desired printer driver from the extracted CAB:
Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner

In a moment you can click on a blue link which says:
"The printer that I want isn't listed"

Up will come an "Add Printer" form saying:
(o) My printer is a little older. Help me find it.
Click "Next"

In a moment you can click on "HP LaserJet 2100 Series (Hewlett-Packard)"
Click "Next".

Now the "Add Printer" form asks "Install the printer driver".
NOTE: Windows will _never_ find the printer no matter how hard you try.

Instead of doing what Windows normally asks, you must click on
"Have Disk..."

When you see "Install From Disk", click on "Browse".

Browse to the directory containing the extracted prnhp001.inf file!
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\
(It won't work unless you have the prnhp001.inf in that directory!)

The "Add Printer" form will ask to choose the printer from the list:
Choose: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5

You can keep or change the "Printer name: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5"
Then Click "Next" where it should install the printer driver.

You can share the printer if you want & you can print a test page.
Then click "Finish".

It's a VERY GOOD IDEA to archive the CAB file for futurproofing!
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\(put the cab files here)
===================================================================
Note: Your paths will differ (simply use the paths you prefer).
Please improve so that everyone benefits from each action.
===================================================================

[arlen holder]

UPDATE:

I tested the tutorial on a 2nd machine & made improvements as shown below.
I also added a couple more references, and clarified a few of the forms.

*******************************************************************
How to install the HP LaserJet 2100tn on Windows 10 in 2019
*******************************************************************
Please improve so that everyone benefits from your actions.

Note that the procedure outlined below will be the same for other legacy
printers which also do not have current Windows & manufacturer drivers, and
which also don't have updates on the specific Printer Windows Update
mechanism.

NOTE almost all of the classic and "obvious" methods will NOT work:

o The HP web site does NOT have the printer driver.

o The HP web site has a PARK driver (i.e., build your own); but that's
crazy
(PARK === HP Printer Administrator Resource Kit)
o You do not want to download a printer driver from random web sites.

o The default Microsoft Windows 10 can not find the printer driver.
o The special printer-based Windows 10 Update does not find it either.

o The Windows Catalogue site has the only known good legacy driver!

(If you know of any other working method - please advise.)
===================================================================
WARNING: If you try the "normal" method of installing some legacy
printers (such as the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 2100), you will fail.
===================================================================

Catalog site:
<http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx>

Here's a page for how to use it for those who haven't been there before:
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323166

===================================================================
This is the _only_ known way that _still_ works, in 2019 anyway.
(Get & archive your legacy printer CAB files while you still can.)
===================================================================
First, _try_ to get Windows to install the printer driver on its own.
(You will fail.)

Then, _try_ to use the special printer-based "windows 10 update" process.
(You will fail.)

Then _try_ to find the legacy printer drivers on the HP web site.
(You will fail.)
<https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-2100-printer-series/25469/model/14918>

You _can_ attempt to build your own HP Printer Driver from the
"HP Printer Administrator Resource Kit" located here (but that's crazy).
<https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL40860/ds-99433-22/PARK-v1.8.6.zip>

Then, obtain & archive the all-important legacy printer CAB file from:
<http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx>

===================================================================
How to install the driver for the Windows legacy printer HPLJ2100tn
===================================================================
After all else fails, this is the _easiest_ & most reliable method.

Search for the all-important CAB file for the HP LJ 2100tn printer.
<http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=laserjet%202100>

Choose the CAB file to download that best fits your legacy printer.

For example, for the "HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5", Windows x64:
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2009/07/4188_bacd1413e93b4a6362d9a2ca653c869f1c02f6f7.cab>

Or, for example, for the "HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL6", Windows x64:
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2009/07/4189_1228a7cf7b1aac21346b20cb6e21db409dde9e72.cab>

I used 7-Zip to extract a COPY of the CAB to my archive location:

C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\.
<https://www.7-zip.org/download.html>

Extract the CAB file & rename the resulting directory to "drivers".
(The rename is optional, but it's a better name that that of the CAB file.)

After extracting & renaming the directory make sure of the critical "inf"

file!
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\prnhp001.inf

For reference, take a look at what is in this new "drivers" directory:
dir C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\
04/08/2019 06:41 PM <DIR> Amd64
06/22/2009 08:36 PM 342,852 component.man
07/08/2009 02:33 AM 156,163 prnhp001.cat
06/22/2009 08:10 PM 327,116 prnhp001.Inf

===================================================================
Only after you have the CAB extracted will the add-a-printer work!

First make sure the printer is on the network:
ping <your printer IP address>

For example:
ping 192.168.1.116

Pinging 192.168.1.116 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.116: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=60
Reply from 192.168.1.116: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=60
Reply from 192.168.1.116: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=60
Reply from 192.168.1.116: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=60

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.116:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 2ms, Maximum = 2ms, Average = 2ms
===================================================================
Then begin the classic Windows printer driver install process:

Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or
scanner

It will say "Searching for printers and scanners ... "

In a few moments you can click on a blue link which says:
"The printer that I want isn't listed"

Up will come an "Add Printer" form saying:
(o) My printer is a little older. Help me find it.
Click "Next"

It will say "Searching for available printers"...

In a few moments you'll see: "HP LaserJet 2100 Series (Hewlett-Packard)"
Select the printer that it found & click "Next".

It will say "Detecting TCP/IP Port" and then the "Add Printer" form shows
up.
That "Add Printer" form asks you to "Install the printer driver".
NOTE: Windows will _never_ find the printer driver no matter how hard you

try.

Instead of doing what Windows normally asks, you must click on
"Have Disk..."

When you see "Install From Disk", click on "Browse".

That will pop up the "Locate File" form, which defaults to "System32".

Change the "Locate File" "Look in" field to your printer driver directory
which contains the extracted "prnhp001.inf" file and select that file:

C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\prnhp001.inf

That will populate the "Install From Disk" form to:
"Copy the manufacturer's files from:

C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers

Then press the "OK" button on the "Install From Disk" form.
NOTE: It won't let you hit the "OK" if you don't have an inf in that
folder.

This will populate the "Add Printer" form with a bunch of HP printer names.

The "Add Printer" form will ask to choose the printer from the list:
Choose: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5

Then press "Next" to close that page of the "Add Printer" form.

Up will pop another "Add Printer" form titled "Type a printer name"

Printer name: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5
You can keep or change the "Printer name: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5"

Then Click "Next" where you should see "Installing printer..." for a
while.

The penultimate page of the "Add Printer" form will ask about "Printer
Sharing".
(o) Share this printer so that others on your network can find and use it
Share name: HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5
You can change any setting you like on this form.

Once that form is set up to your liking, click the "Next" button.
That will pop up the last "Add Printer" page saying:
"You've successfully added HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5"

You can click the "Print a test page" button, if you like.

Then click "Finish".

It's a VERY GOOD IDEA to archive the CAB file for futurproofing!
C:\app\hardware\printer\hplj2100tn\drivers\(put the cab files here)
===================================================================
Note: Your paths will differ (simply use the paths you prefer).
Please improve so that everyone benefits from each action.
===================================================================

============================================================================
============================================================================
****************************************************************************

[lonelydad]

arlen holder <ar...@arlen.com> wrote in
news:q8gqc3$ilc$1...@news.mixmin.net:

If you don't want to go to all that effort, or do not trust yourself to
get it right, and you don't mind not being able to use all of the
features of the printer, instead of installing the specific printer [in
this case the HP Laserjet 2100tn] simply have Windows install a driver
for a generic Postscript printer. That will install a driver that will
print to the 2100, it just won't allow access to any of the advanced
features specific to the 2100.

[Arlen G. Holder]

On Mon, 8 Apr 2019 00:22:02 -0000 (UTC), arlen holder wrote:

> Please improve so that everyone benefits from your actions.

Since this thread is intended to be the COMPLETE set of possible solutions for legacy printer installation on Windows 10, please note this Usenet potluck thread posted on the Windows 10 newsgroup where the OP (XS11E) had an issue installing the legacy Hewlett Packard HP LaserJet 6L printer after a Windows 10 update destroyed the printer driver.
From: XS11E <xs1...@SPAMyahoo.com>
Newsgroups: alt.comp.os.windows-10
Subject: Need Printer Driver, LaserJet 6L
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:39:06 -0700
Message-ID: <XnsAA7F9F37B75...@127.0.0.1>

Paul kindly responded with a solution, apparently, reproduced below for the Usenet potluck, where the Windows 10 newsgroup is poorly archived at
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10
http://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com

The reference thread is here:
<https://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com/I29H1DXb/need-printer-driver-laserjet-6l>


For this Usenet Potluck nugget, here is Paul's helpful response to the OP.


<https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-non-compatible-printer-drivers-windows-10>

And there should be a setting to *disable* Windows Update installing
a wrong driver, like this person experienced.

<https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-hardware/procedure-for-installing-a-hp-laserjet-6l-printer/9b92badc-fa25-48fb-aec7-47c73af4515b>

Here is driver update disablement. Use Start : Run and
type "control" in there, as in control.exe, to get the
Control Panels to appear. Then follow the path here
and see if the setting is still in the System panel.

<https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/disable-automatic-driver-downloads-on-windows-10>

So if you do get the thing fixed (in the first step), you
can stop it from changing (in a second step).

However, every time an OS Upgrade comes in... expect trouble.

The installer must have its way with your system, with
no way to predict an outcome.

Paul

For the Usenet potluck, here is the solution the OP said worked.
PROCEDURE FOR INSTALLING A HP LASERJET 6L PRINTER ON WINDOWS 10 USING A PARALLEL CABLE

Between them, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard have made installing a LaserJet 6L printer on Windows 10, using a parallel port, a bit of a treasure hunt. Windows 10 installs it using a Postscript class driver, which the 6L does not support. Using that, try to print anything from the PC, even a test page, and you get gobbledegook and waste a lot of paper. And getting the failed print document out of the print queue and the printer's memory is a further waste of time.

I found that following suggestions by HP and others to use Windows Update to install a more relevant driver always failed. If you try that, your mileage may vary. But I spent a day finding a workaround which seems robust and allows other networked PCs to use the printer. Here it is:

1) Using the front panel button on your printer, print a test page. Probably at the bottom left will be a box saying something like ¨Enhanced HP PCL5〃. If this box indicates that the printer is using PCL5 or Enhanced PCL5 then proceed with these instructions. If the printer is not using a form of PCL5, then stop here  these instructions will not apply.

2) A Windows 10 PC is very unlikely to have a parallel connection unless one has been retrofitted. If yours doesn't, install a parallel card, e.g. in a PCI Express expansion socket.

3) Once the card is installed, use Device Manager to find out which port the card is using.

4) Connect and power up the printer.

5) Reboot the PC.

6) In Printers and Scanners, remove the printer as installed by Windows.

7) Download the file upd-pcl5-x64-6.1.0.20062.exe from http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/PRINTER/HP/HP-Universal-Print-Driver-PCL5-61020062-64-bit.shtml. This file is the last version of the HP Universal Printer Driver for 64-bit PCs which supports PCL5, the printer language used by the LaserJet 6L (see https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c04324001 for confirmation of this). I make no warranty that Softpedia has not installed adware or anything else with this download, but I scanned the file with Avast and Malwarebytes and found nothing. I found nothing on machine-wide scans either.

8) Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions. Install the printer as a local printer on the same port as the parallel card (see step 3 above).

9) Set the printer, which will be called HP Universal Printing PCL5 (v6.1.0), as your default printer.

10) I found that Windows soon installed the printer again using the useless Postscript driver, calling it Hewlett Packard LaserJet 6L Printer. I left it there so Windows did not reinstall it on every reboot but otherwise ignored it. Just remember never to use it when you print anything or you will get a lot of junk and waste a lot of paper.