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agradmin

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How to install HP Universal Driver on Windows 2008 print server

I am building out a new Windows 2008 print server and am looking at the option of installing the latest HP UPD rather than traditional printers.

I have downloaded the x64 version of the UPD (released yesterday?) and would like the following answers from someone with experience doing so;

1) How is this installed on the server? I tried using traditional mode and it is looking for print drivers.....
2) How do I need to set up so that XP/x86 machines can add printers?
3) I sthere a large benefit doing this over traditional methods in an area of a limited number of static printers?

Some real-life guidelines would be appreciated.

The HP documentation is very confusing
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Lee W, MVP
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Warning: This may be the biggest headache you've ever had.  Especially if you have a lot of different printers.

I haven't gotten the UPD working and found it (in the past) way too buggy.

Basically, if you're migrating to 2008 R2 or to 2008 x64, you will need to find both 64 and 32 bit based printer drivers for each printer, and then get them installed so you can share the printers out.  This part can be EXTREMELY tricky as the versions of the drivers must match, and, HP among others may not have identical versions for each platform (I just had a nightmare with a LaserJet 2600 because, I believe, the 32 bit driver was 6.2.1 and the 64 bit driver was 6.2.0.  Adding the drivers can be tricky too - I've had reasonable success browsing the new server from a 32 bit client and then going into the printers folder and properties of each printer and then adding the 32 bit drivers.  BUT, this hasn't worked ALL the time.  Also, sometimes, especially with HP, the 32 bit driver will named differently from the 64 bit drivers - for example, you might have an "HP LaserJet 4000 PCL 5" 64 bit driver and an "HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL5e" 32 bit driver.  They may be versioned correctly, but NAMED differently and if they are named differently, they won't load without editing the printer driver's .INF file and changing the name to match the loaded 64 bit driver.

Did I mention this could be a NIGHTMARE.

I recently asked a bunch of SBS folks about this - one suggestion I got was to load a virtual machine with a 32 bit OS and use that as my print server.  Frankly, I'm seriously considering it.

Another suggestion, I haven't tried, was:
You need a copy of the NTPRINT (NTPrint.inf) folder from a Vista/7 32-bit client. When you install the printer you check both x64 and x86. It will choke on the 32-bit driver and ask for the above (at least it should).

Once that is done any further 32-bit drivers should install without a hitch.
 
Yes, it is a PITA. Getting the drivers and printers out to XP 32-bit clients is also another challenge.

That was from MPECSInc but on a private mailing list.
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agradmin

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leew:
I'm happy to hear that others are having the same problem as me installing printers on 2008R2. My research has proven somewaht the same.

Are you saying that as UPD is buggy you have reverted to installing drivers the traditional way? I was hoping UPD would be a solution to that (ie install one driver for just about all.......).

Also, have you tried the latest UPD (version 5.2.5.9108 dated 1st Feb 2011)? I'm wondering if this fixes the buginess you refer to.

If you have a broad guideline on how to install I would like to try it. I have a new server and 15 or so printers to migrate so it may make a good test case. eg I tried installing on the server and it was asking for print drivers - either my understanding is incorrect or I'm doing something wrong.

Has anyone out there  installed 5.2.5.9108 and got it working?
I installed the version just before the one you listed (1/20/2011) hoping to get a Laserjet 4050 working with RDP on 2008 R2 x64.  After fighting with it for 4 hours, I gave up.  Every time I tried to print, I got a different error.
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eruve
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typed that in a hurry sorry.  Am squeezing this in as best i can.

if you have errors with a particular driver, use the PCL 6 or PCL 5 type.
Thanks eruve - you have filled in the blanks for me. I have just installed the PCL6 UPD drivers for now, and have been able to install printers fine (pending further testing).