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HP Printers - Installing an Alternate Print Driver in Windows 7 for a USB Cable Connection

Introduction

At this time, a full feature Windows 7 driver solution is not available for your product.
However, a compatible print driver solution for your product is included with the Windows 7 operating system. There is no need to download any additional software.
Follow the steps in this document to identify the print driver that is compatible with the product, install the driver, and then configure it in Windows 7. When this driver is installed, you can use the basic product functions.

Install and configure a compatible driver

Follow these steps to install and configure the driver that is compatible with the product.

Step one: Determine the appropriate compatible driver

Use the following list to find the driver that is compatible with your product.

Table of compatible drivers

Product
Alternate driver
Deskjet 3320, 3325, 3420 and 3520
Deskjet 3600 *
Photosmart 7560, 7565, 7600 and 7660
Deskjet 5600
Deskjet 5850
Deskjet 5600
Photosmart 130, 145, 230, 240 and 245
Photosmart 330 *
Photosmart 7150, 7350, 7355 and 7550
Deskjet 5550
Photosmart 7760 and 7960
Deskjet 5600
Deskjet 6122 and 6127
Deskjet 990c *
Deskjet 3820
Deskjet 970cse *
Deskjet 656
Deskjet 660c *
Business Inkjet 1100d
Business Inkjet 1000
Business Inkjet 1100dtn
Business Inkjet 1000
Deskjet 9300
Deskjet 1220c *
Deskjet 9650, 9670, 9680, 9680gp
Deskjet 9800
* Available only through Windows Update.

Step two: Install the driver

Follow these steps to install the compatible driver in Windows 7.
  1. Make sure that the USB cable is not connected to the product. If the USB cable is connected to the product, disconnect it.
  2. From the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon (), and then click Devices and Printers. The Devices and Printers window opens.
  3. Click Add a printer. The Add Printer window opens.
  4. Click Add a local printer.
  5. Click Use an existing port.
  6. Click the Use an existing port drop-down list, select LPT1: (Printer Port), and then click Next.
  7. Under Manufacturer in the Install the printer driver window, click HP.
  8. Under Printers, select the appropriate alternate driver for the product (listed in the table in the previous step), and then click Next.
    note:
    The alternate HP driver for your product might not be currently installed on your computer, but it is available through Windows Update. Click the Windows Update button to select additional print drivers. Select the alternate driver for your product, and then click Next. You must connect to the Internet before using Windows Update.
  9. In the Printer name text box, type the product name and then click Next. The print driver starts the installation process.
    note:
    The name of the alternate driver displays in the window as the default name. If you prefer, you can change the name of your product. This step is optional.
    When the installation is complete, a message displays on the computer stating that the product was added successfully.
  10. In the message window, click Finished.
  11. Connect the USB cable to the product, and connect the USB cable to the computer. A Device driver software was not successfully installed window opens.
  12. Click Close () to close the window.

Step three: Configure the driver

Follow these steps to configure the installed driver.
  1. In the Devices and Printers window, right-click the name of the product and then click Printer Properties. The Printer Properties window opens.
  2. Click the Ports tab.
  3. Click the drop down menu, and then change the port from LPT1 to USB or DOT4.
    note:
    If there is more than one USB/DOT4 port available, select the USB/DOT4 port with the highest port number. To see the full port name, widen the ports row in the Properties dialog box by placing the cursor over the vertical line between Port and Description, and then click and hold the mouse button. Move the mouse to the right until the port name is visible.
  4. Click OK.

Step four: Update the Device Manager

  1. From the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon (), right-click Computer, and then click Manage. The Computer Management window opens.
  2. Click Device Manager in the left pane of the Computer Management window under System Tools. A list of installed devices displays in the right pane of the Computer Management window.
  3. Right-click your product in the Other devices list, and then click Update Driver Software. A dialog box opens to locate the driver software.
  4. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
  5. Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer, and then click Next. The Add Printer Wizard opens.
  6. Under Manufacturer in the Install the printer driver window, click HP.
  7. Under Printers, select the alternate driver for the product (listed in the table in the step to Determine the appropriate compatible driver), and then click Next. An Update Driver Warning window opens.
  8. Click Yes to continue the driver installation.
  9. Click Close when the 'Windows has successfully updated your driver software' message displays.
note:
After you install the alternate printer driver, Device Manager lists the name of the alternate printer driver in the Printers section. The actual model name of your product is listed in the Devices and Printers section of the Windows Control Panel.

Step five: Print a test page

  1. In the Properties dialog box, click the General tab.
  2. Click Print Test Page.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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Additional information

Visit HP Consumer Forums or the HP Store for additional information.