"Arlen Holder" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 8 Jul 2018 08:17:49 -0400, SC Tom wrote:

This was a problem that harkens back to at least early Win7 days. The way
I
got around it then (and occasionally now) was to use the Windows Update
Catalog site:
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx

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

*SOLVED!*

Hi SC Tom,

Before I saw your post, I had tried to install one of the non-legacy HP
printer drivers for the HP LJ 2100, but the closest-by-name driver I
chose.
installed OK, but it failed when printing the test page (HP LaserJet 2300
PCL6 Class Driver).

However, your suggestion worked perfectly!

The exact desired printer driver cab files are where you said they were!
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=hp%20laserjet%202100

The beauty of this "Windows Catalog" method is that it archives the
printer
drivers, so you do not have to go through the "Windows Update"
abomination!

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

You extract that cab file using 7zip or equivalent, which creates:
.\Amd64\{lots of DLL,CFG,INI,DTD,EXP,GPD,HPI,ICM,ICC,NTF,PPD,XML files}
component.man
prnhp001.cat
prnhp001.Inf

When the Windows 10 printer settings gui asks "Install the printer driver"
you select "Have Disk" and browse to that extracted "prnhp001.Inf" file.

The Windows printer setup GUI asks you to choose a printer from the list:
[HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL5]

Voila!

When you install that printer driver and run the test page, a list results
of the drivers that were installed, which you can take note of:
Additional Print Driver Files:
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZLSLHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZSSLHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZUILHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPCDMCLH.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZ5RLHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZSMLHN.G PD
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZSTLHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPMCPD25.C FG
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZ5CLHN.I NI
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPMCPDP5.X ML
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZSCLHN.D TD
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZEVLHN.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZIDR12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZINW12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZIPM12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZIPR12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZIPT12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPZISN12.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPBMIAPI.D LL
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPBMINI.DL L
C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\HPBOID.DLL
etc.

In summary, the following are useful to note:
1. The "Windows Update" is failing to get *any* driver list lately
2. Even if it did work, it's not easy to *save* the driver archive
3. The Windows Catalog method solves both those problems instantly

NOTE: It seems that the Windows Update is failing for others who are
seeking drivers for legacy printers based on this report I just read:
April 6, 2018:
Windows 10 Printer Lists - unable to update printer list from Windows
Update
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-hardware/windows-10-printer-lists-unable-to-update-printer/3cad241e-b999-46d2-9515-e1ca628d0ef9

Glad it worked as well for you as it has for me :-)
--

SC Tom