Why can't Windows 10 install a simple HP LaserJet 2100m printer driver?

On Mon, 22 Aug 2016 15:15:52 -0500, Tony wrote:

The following drivers are available on Win10 64 bit
CL5, PCL6 and PS for the LJ2100.
Microsoft are not and never have been responsible for manufacturer specific
printer drivers.
Go to add new printer
Click the printer I want isn't listed
Click add a local printer or network printer with manual settings
Select use existing or create new port as required
Click on Windows Update and wait (it will take a few minutes0.
Look under HP and voila!
The above is from memory so the words may be different.
Tony

Thank you for that summary.
That process is exactly what worked.
All other attempts failed, to wit:

1. It's bad enough that Windows 10, using the *normal* process for
installing a printer (which we've all used for decades on Windows), failed
miserably to install the printer driver for one of the most common printers
on the planet.

2. It's even worse that HP support failed just as miserably, using the
normal process (which we've all used for decades with HP printers) for
downloading a printer driver to a basic and very common laserjet printer.

3. The good news is that most likely HP drivers write themselves, in so
much as a printer driver is no big deal in terms of porting (and testing &
supplying & maintaining) from Windows 7 to Windows 10 - simply because HP
almost certainly has automated processes for such trivially easy ports such
as these are.

4. Therefore, the better news is that HP already (secretly, as it were)
supplied the HP LaserJet 2100m printer driver to Microsoft, such that the
"secret temporary" update process worked to install the correct printer
driver.

In the end, who knew that there was a secret temporary "Windows 10 update"
that is entirely separate and outside the "regular" Windows 10 update?

I certainly did not know this temporary update existed.
But thanks to you (plural) on the Usenet, I do now.

Thanks!

On Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:42:47 -0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote in

All other attempts failed, to wit:

Where did you finally find the driver?
--
Web based forums are like subscribing to 10 different newspapers
and having to visit 10 different news stands to pickup each one.
Email list-server groups and USENET are like having all of those
newspapers delivered to your door every morning.

On 8/23/2016 9:40 AM, CRNG wrote:
On Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:42:47 -0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote in

All other attempts failed, to wit:

Where did you finally find the driver?

While installing the printer you have the option to load the driver from
a CD but also you can ask W10, W8, and I believe W7 to go and get an
update of the printer list. To save space Microsoft keeps the large
master list of supported printers/drivers on their server and only
included a partial list with the OS you physically install on your PC.

When you tell the PC to go and do a update during the printer install it
downloads the entire master list. Usually for me it takes around 20
minutes to download on my 60MB cable modem link. As for the large
downloaded PC list it only stays on your PC until you exit the printer
install section forcing you to download it all over again should you
want to install another "unlisted, as in usually older" printer the next
day.

He found his printer series listed after updating the printer list and
used one of the supplied printer drivers from the updated Microsoft list.

I always update the printer list when I have a printer that does not
show up as being supported by the "partial" list that is included with
the Microsoft OS installation. So far my old machines have shown up on
the updated list and work using one of the drivers from it.

On Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:58:36 -0500, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

He found his printer series listed after updating the printer list and
used one of the supplied printer drivers from the updated Microsoft list.

I just saw this since I'm not normally on the Windows 10 ng since I am
brand spanking new to Windows 10.

GBM is correct in that he/she showed me how to execute the super secret
special temporary printer-only Windows 10 update process.

I knew the laptop was updated daily using the normal Windows 10 process so
the fact that the printer installation section has a super secret hidden
special *different* update caught me unaware.

Also, the fact that the driver is nowhere to be found on the HP web site
also caught me unaware.

There's no way I have the original disc (they were probably floppies
anyway) for the HP LaserJet 2100m either.

So I just opened a thread up above asking how to *archive* the printer
driver, just in case the special secret Windows printer-only update drops
it in the future.

On Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:40:57 -0500, CRNG wrote:

Where did you finally find the driver?

GlowingBlueMist showed me how to find the secret temporary printer-only
windows 10 update (which is different than a normal windows 10 update,
which is why I hadn't thought of it myself).

So Windows 10 had the driver all along.
It was just hiding it from me until I asked it nicely.

However, it seems like a lot of people have the same problem with
finding the Windows 10 drivers for the HP LaserJet 2100 printer.
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/LaserJe...5295727/page/2

They're using some other method, apparently.

According to that HP forum, some are messing with fake Windows 10 parallel
port interrupt settings (I haven't seen a parallel port in a billion years
as this HP LJ 2100m printer is networked by Ethernet cable to the home
router).

Here's what the suggested is (I didn't try it):
"01-08-2016 08:02 PM
Windows 10 has a problem with parallel ports, you have to open up
device manager find the ports section and look at the properties
for the parallel port, it will probably be called lpt1.
In the properties it will be set to not use interrupts and you
need to change it to use any requested interrupt."

Others are using some kind of special windows 10 "legacy drivers" method.
"10-09-2015 01:36 PM
Product Name: Windows 10 HP LaserJet 2100 In
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)
I had nothing but trouble installing my HP LaserJet 2100 for Windows 10.
Searching for connected printers did not work.
Installing updated drivers did not work.
I tried everything I could think of including searching Google,
HP and Microsoft. None of those searches paid off.
Somehow I stumbled onto the Device Manager and just looked around.
I found my HP LaserJet listed under Print Queues, I highlighted it
and then under Action I selected Add Legacy Hardware, selected
Printers from the list on the following pages, then Used an
existing port, selected HP LaserJet from the list and the rest
was magic."

Me?

I followed GlowingBlueMist's instructions to hit the "windows update"
button in the printer installation, and after forever (something like 20
minutes to a half hour or so) the printer drivers showed up in Windows 10.

"Danny D." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 Aug 2016 15:15:52 -0500, Tony wrote:

The following drivers are available on Win10 64 bit
CL5, PCL6 and PS for the LJ2100.
Microsoft are not and never have been responsible for manufacturer
specific
printer drivers.
Go to add new printer
Click the printer I want isn't listed
Click add a local printer or network printer with manual settings
Select use existing or create new port as required
Click on Windows Update and wait (it will take a few minutes0.
Look under HP and voila!
The above is from memory so the words may be different.
Tony

Thank you for that summary.
That process is exactly what worked.
All other attempts failed, to wit:

1. It's bad enough that Windows 10, using the *normal* process for
installing a printer (which we've all used for decades on Windows), failed
miserably to install the printer driver for one of the most common
printers
on the planet.

2. It's even worse that HP support failed just as miserably, using the
normal process (which we've all used for decades with HP printers) for
downloading a printer driver to a basic and very common laserjet printer.

3. The good news is that most likely HP drivers write themselves, in so
much as a printer driver is no big deal in terms of porting (and testing &
supplying & maintaining) from Windows 7 to Windows 10 - simply because HP
almost certainly has automated processes for such trivially easy ports
such
as these are.

4. Therefore, the better news is that HP already (secretly, as it were)
supplied the HP LaserJet 2100m printer driver to Microsoft, such that the
"secret temporary" update process worked to install the correct printer
driver.

In the end, who knew that there was a secret temporary "Windows 10 update"
that is entirely separate and outside the "regular" Windows 10 update?

I certainly did not know this temporary update existed.
But thanks to you (plural) on the Usenet, I do now.

Thanks!

HP Laserjet 2100/2100M/2100TN User Guide (184 pages)
-
http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/p..._ na-bpl06466
- http://tinyurl.com/hhmwg3w

The HP LaserJet 2100 and the 2100 M printers include two interface ports: an
IEEE-1284 parallel and a LocalTalk port.
The HP LaserJet 2100 TN printer also includes an HP JetDirect 600 N print
server card that includes a 10Base-T (RJ-45) port.

Drivers - available for practically every OS including Windows 10 32/64bit

-
http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/p...&lang=en&cc=us
- http://tinyurl.com/zeog5bj

Regards
wasbit

On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 10:13:31 +0100, wasbit wrote:

HP Laserjet 2100/2100M/2100TN User Guide (184 pages)
-
http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/p..._ na-bpl06466
- http://tinyurl.com/hhmwg3w

The HP LaserJet 2100 and the 2100 M printers include two interface ports: an
IEEE-1284 parallel and a LocalTalk port.
The HP LaserJet 2100 TN printer also includes an HP JetDirect 600 N print
server card that includes a 10Base-T (RJ-45) port.

Thanks for that document reference.

For some reason, I had thought I had the HP LaserJet 2011m but it's the TN
model (aka HP LJ 2100TN).

Drivers - available for practically every OS including Windows 10 32/64bit
http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/p...&lang=en&cc=us
- http://tinyurl.com/zeog5bj

The problem with that "drivers" page is that it's a propaganda lie from HP
Marketing. If you actually try to download the Windows 10 64-bit driver,
you get the PARK zip package, which has been explained to me is a
roll-your-own-driver for IT professionals.

I'm not about to roll my own HP driver.

That page *implies* the driver exists, but nobody on earth can find it on
the HP web site.

The *only* place on the planet the driver seems to exist is on the Windows
special temporary printer-only update mechanism.

[lots of postings from lots of people about drivers for HP 2100 printers]

I don't have an HP 2100 so I can't say if the files would help - but have
you tried going to

https://catalog.update.microsoft.com

and searching for "2100 windows 7 hewlett printers" (without the quotes)?
This returns a number of printers for LaserJet 2100 series printers (both
PCL and PS), with the drivers described as compatible with "Windows 7,
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and later".

The site is not an installer; you download the files (and so can archive
them for future use).

Joe

On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 08:39:29 -0400, Joe Morris wrote:

I don't have an HP 2100 so I can't say if the files would help - but have
you tried going to

https://catalog.update.microsoft.com

and searching for "2100 windows 7 hewlett printers" (without the quotes)?
This returns a number of printers for LaserJet 2100 series printers (both
PCL and PS), with the drivers described as compatible with "Windows 7,
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and later".

The site is not an installer; you download the files (and so can archive
them for future use).

That is a *strange* site indeed!

The whole point of web browsers were to make any content available, right?

What part about being able to display on any computer did Microsoft NOT
understand?

I use Firefox.
Here is the utterly crazy stuff that happens when I go to that site.

1. I point Firefox to: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
2. It says I need a certificate.
3. After I install the certificate, it takes me to he
https://catalog.update.microsoft.com...ks.aspx?id=140
4. There it tells me it only works with IE
(I haven't used IE in probably a decade!)

Specifically, it says:
Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Update Catalog
To use this Web site's full functionality, you must be running Microsoft
Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
To upgrade to the latest version of the browser, go to the Internet
Explorer Downloads Website.
If you prefer to use a different Web browser, you can get updates from the
Microsoft Download Center.

5. My only viable option is to go to the Microsoft Download Center.
6. That takes me to he
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download

There is a Hardware Drivers button, so I click that.

7. Clicking Hardware Drivers takes me he
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/driver.aspx

There are far too many options to scroll through so I run a search for:
2100 windows 7 hewlett printers

8. Unfortunately, that search only locates:

Hewlett Packard Connects With The MSN Video Audience

HP Connects With MSN Video Audience
Free
11/21/2007
Update for Windows 7 (KB2028551)

This update resolves instances where certain elements are clipped when
printing an XPS containing visual brushes with transforms to a GDI-based
printer.
Free
10/27/2010
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2028551)

This update resolves instances where certain elements are clipped when
printing an XPS containing visual brushes with transforms to a GDI-based
printer.
Free
11/10/2010
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready
for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for
known ...
Free
4/20/2010
PowerPoint Viewer

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer lets you view full-featured presentations
created in PowerPoint 97 and later versions.
Free
10/25/2011

Danny D. wrote:
On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 08:39:29 -0400, Joe Morris wrote:


https://catalog.update.microsoft.com



That is a *strange* site indeed!

The whole point of web browsers were to make any content available, right?

What part about being able to display on any computer did Microsoft NOT
understand?

The catalog.update.microsoft.com site uses an ActiveX plugin.

The ActiveX plugin runs the "Shopping Cart" interface
provided on the catalog server.

It allows you to queue up a bunch of downloads, like
search for 30 different items, and "add them to your cart".

Then, once you start the download, you can go off and
make dinner while it downloads.

The list of downloads could be stored in a cookie, or
a cookie could be used to sync a server-side grocery
list.

The reason for the ActiveX plugin, is to give
the user that capability. When asked to install the
ActiveX plugin, give it permission.

Microsoft "promises" to modify the Catalog site design,
but given how Microsoft is also going to **** over
Win7 and Win8 updates anyway, I just assume they're
not doing anything at the moment.

If you use Internet Explorer, even Internet Explorer 6,
you will be able to use catalog.update.microsoft.com .

Have fun,
Paul

On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 15:44:47 -0400, Paul wrote:

The catalog.update.microsoft.com site uses an ActiveX plugin.

The ActiveX plugin runs the "Shopping Cart" interface
provided on the catalog server.

It allows you to queue up a bunch of downloads, like
search for 30 different items, and "add them to your cart".

Then, once you start the download, you can go off and
make dinner while it downloads.

The list of downloads could be stored in a cookie, or
a cookie could be used to sync a server-side grocery
list.

The reason for the ActiveX plugin, is to give
the user that capability. When asked to install the
ActiveX plugin, give it permission.

Thank you for explaining why that site doesn't work with a major browser.
I can't stand non-standard web sites but I'm currently stuck on WinXP for
the archive of the printer driver because that's where all my archives are
and the win 10 machine is at work.

Microsoft "promises" to modify the Catalog site design,
but given how Microsoft is also going to **** over
Win7 and Win8 updates anyway, I just assume they're
not doing anything at the moment.

I am on WInXP for my archives (that's where I have kept my software
archives for years).

If you use Internet Explorer, even Internet Explorer 6,
you will be able to use catalog.update.microsoft.com .

I located the never-used IE shortcut on WinXP and clicked on it and it said
"Welcome to IE 8": http://i.cubeupload.com/rGjtq0.gif

Then I went to https://catalog.update.microsoft.com with IE8.

Ooooh. Pretty baby blue color! It says it wants to install a "catalog".
http://i.cubeupload.com/wIUSmP.gif

Wow. Whatever it installed sure does consume resources!
http://i.cubeupload.com/BvJgYN.gif

My CPU went to 100% in a second when the catalog started!
http://i.cubeupload.com/Anxnqf.gif

But a search does seem to find a huge amount of related "stuff".
http://i.cubeupload.com/MJL47r.gif

But most of the "stuff" seemed to be the same file.
http://i.cubeupload.com/F4VMsK.gif

Here's the description for just one of the stuffs:
a. Microsoft driver update for HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5
b. Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 8.1 and later drivers,Windows Server 2008
R2,Windows Server 2012,Windows Server 2012 R2 and later drivers
c. Drivers (Printers)
d. 6/21/2006
e. 6.1.7233.0
f. 11.6 MB 12129488

The fact that a 10KB driver is "11.6MB" is already pretty suspicious.
1. But I hit the "Add" button.
2. And then the "catalog" button.
3. And then the "download" button.
4. And then the "browse" button.
5. And then the "continue" button.
6. And then the "done" button. (Can they make this more steps?)
http://i.cubeupload.com/ugFCp9.gif

Is "this" the archive of the HP LJ 2100 TN printer driver that I want?
AMD64-all-4188_bacd1413e93b4a6362d9a2ca653c869f1c02f6f7.cab 11,846KB

Danny D. wrote:


Is "this" the archive of the HP LJ 2100 TN printer driver that I want?
AMD64-all-4188_bacd1413e93b4a6362d9a2ca653c869f1c02f6f7.cab 11,846KB

If you open the archive with 7ZIP, one of the
files at the top level is

prnhp001.inf

And that is a text file. INF files are
used by installers.

There is a section in there, which lists the
hardware supported. For PNP subsystem usage.

7ZIP can be obtained here. It's a tool which
will open a variety of archive types. GZIP,
7Z, RAR, VHD files, raw disk img files. Opening
some file types causes unfortunate usage of
%temp%, while some of the other types can be
processed quite quickly. This is one of the
first programs I install on a fresh OS install.

http://7-zip.org/

7ZIP will not open InstallShield cabs but it
will open the Microsoft cab in your example.
There is a whole sub-species of "packers"
which cannot be opened by 7ZIP as well.
For example, I wouldn't expect a UPX compressed
EXE to open in 7ZIP as an archive.

Paul

On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:01:29 -0400, Paul wrote:

If you open the archive with 7ZIP, one of the
files at the top level is

prnhp001.inf

And that is a text file. INF files are
used by installers.

Ah, this is *perfect*.
Thank you for your patience & understanding.

I installed IZArc which opened the CAB file.
Inside I saw
- Amd64 (directory)
- component.man
- prnhp001.cat
- prnhp001.Inf

So now that I have the CAB file, I guess I have the archived printer driver
for Windows 10 should Microsoft stop including the printer driver for the
HP LJ 2100TN in the future!

This is wonderful!
We should archive *all* our printer drivers now, just in case.

Thanks!

Danny D. wrote:
On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:01:29 -0400, Paul wrote:

If you open the archive with 7ZIP, one of the
files at the top level is

prnhp001.inf

And that is a text file. INF files are
used by installers.

Ah, this is *perfect*.
Thank you for your patience & understanding.

I installed IZArc which opened the CAB file.
Inside I saw
- Amd64 (directory)
- component.man
- prnhp001.cat
- prnhp001.Inf

So now that I have the CAB file, I guess I have the archived printer driver
for Windows 10 should Microsoft stop including the printer driver for the
HP LJ 2100TN in the future!

This is wonderful!
We should archive *all* our printer drivers now, just in case.

Thanks!

Remember, it's just *a* driver. I don't
have your printer. I haven't tested it.

And you'll need to do something like this,
for a system that has dism. If you get a CAB
from the Catalog server, you can try this to
install it. This should work on Win10, while
the dism on Win7 lacks some features. (And I
don't have a chart to compare them.)

dism /online /Add-Package /Package-Name:F:\some.cab

Good Guy actually provided an archiving method
that uses a verb in Powershell. I tried that and
it did dump some INF based folders on the output
folder selected. So that does work. But only you
can test that one, to see if it produces the
same set of files as are contained in the
above CAB file.

For example:

1) Start an Administrator Command Prompt window.
2) Run "powershell" in it.
3) Once Powershell starts, use

export-windowsdriver -online -destination F:\temp

Close the window when done. My folder had 400MB of stuff
or so, of which most of that was the ATI video card driver.
The rest of the other drivers on my system made a
quite small contribution to the size of F:\temp .

Since some of those are just folders with an INF inside,
you can use Device Manager, Update Driver, and point to
such a folder and perhaps re-install that way.

I didn't save my F:\temp , because it was just a test.
And all the drivers are available via other means.
If I had a printer, and had installed a printer driver,
I might have been more interested in keeping it.

Paul