XP Pro, but only Win95 print driver. Options?

[cramz]

I'm attempting to configure a printer that only has a driver for windows 95. HP no longer supports the device and hasn't produced a driver for later versions of Windows.

I'm looking for options on what I can do. It's a very high-end printer and I'd like to make use of it without setting up a Windows 95 machine to run it. Is there some sort of emulation that can be done? I've never encountered this sort of problem, advise and tips would be helpful.

FYI: I'm jumping the gun here. I don't have the printer yet and don't know the model number. I've only been told that HP hasn't released a driver for anything more recent than Win95.

 

[stduc]

Don't panic at this stage. Wait until you can post the model number. The chances are that either a 95 or NT driver will work just fine.

You can search for drivers to download from HP by clicking here

 

[cramz]

Thanks stduc. I'll post the model number as soon as I get it.

In general, however, can XP emulate Win95 for the sake of a printer driver?
-C

 

[stduc]

XP will generally use a 95 driver just fine - or an NT driver. If you get the choice of an NT 4 driver and an XP driver is NOT available then try the NT driver first before the 95 driver if the NT driver fails to work.

Remember that you will most likely have to accept unsigned drivers to install the driver.

You most likely will miss a feature or two though with old drivers - but the printer should work well enough.

 

[cramz]

Thanks again stduc

 

[wolluf]

cramz - If its an HP printer, then chance that XP already has drivers for it.