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The printer driver you selected is either not compatible with your current version of Windows, or it may not be available. Select a compatible driver from the list, or contact your administrator for help.

I am setting up our new server. When I try to install this printer on Windows 2000 machines I get the message above. I've gone into add aditional drivers and I have the server edition installed. I also have 9x drivers installed. I can connect through the server to the printer from XP clients, but not 2k clients. I've tried drivers from HP.com, the disk that came with the printer, and driverguide.com. Nothing is working. Any clue? Thanks in advance!


-Caleb :?:

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Short answer: the W2K clients are failing because the server does not have a Windows 2000 (x86/NT)–compatible driver for the shared queue (or the driver INF/architecture the server is offering does not match what the client needs). , since you only mentioned the “server edition” and 9x drivers, the missing piece is the Win2000/NT x86 driver in the print server’s Additional Drivers list. If the print server is 64‑bit you must also host the 32‑bit driver for Win2K clients. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical steps to try:

  • On the Server: Printers and Faxes -> right‑click the 8100 -> Properties -> Sharing -> Additional Drivers. Check the box for the appropriate x86/Windows 2000 driver and point to the extracted Win2000 INF folder.
  • If Additional Drivers refuses the driver, install the Win2000 driver locally on a Win2000 (or XP) workstation and then use that workstation to upload the driver to the server (this avoids INF/name mismatches). (kb.gsd.ricoh.com)
  • If point‑and‑print still fails, on a W2K client create a Local Port named \server\printershare and install the correct local driver (this bypasses the remote driver push).

If you prefer a scripted/install route, you can add the driver with PrintUI (run as Administrator on the server). Example:

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ia /m "HP Color LaserJet 8100" /h "Intel" /v "Windows 2000" /f "C:\Drivers\HP8100\w2k\hp8100.inf"

Adjust the model string and path to the INF you extracted. (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes and cautions: try the PCL5 (or PostScript) driver if PCL6 gives matching problems; ensure Windows 2000 clients have the latest service pack/hotfixes and that printer installation policies (PointAndPrint restrictions) are not preventing non‑admin installs — Policy restrictions can block third‑party kernel‑mode drivers and cause the exact message you saw. (learn.microsoft.com)

References: Microsoft: add 32‑bit drivers on a 64‑bit print server.

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Member Avatar for knsljo

I am setting up our new server. When I try to install this printer on Windows 2000 machines I get the message above. I've gone into add aditional drivers and I have the server edition installed. I also have 9x drivers installed. I can connect through the server to the printer from XP clients, but not 2k clients. I've tried drivers from HP.com, the disk that came with the printer, and driverguide.com. Nothing is working. Any clue? Thanks in advance!


-Caleb :?:

Your setting up a domain aren't you? Just point all W2K pc's to the server.

Go to my network places make sure you are in the admin account though, go to the server find the printer and double click. Hey presto the machine will be installed and ready to use.

You will have to do this with each account.

If you do it all in administrator then copy the admin account to the default user account you won't.:cheesy: It will then be set up on all accounts

Member Avatar for Duki

well that sounds like how i've installed the xp machines... i just went through my network and pointed them to the 8100. But when i do that with 2k machines i get a similar error. :(


thanks though.......

Member Avatar for knsljo

well that sounds like how i've installed the xp machines... i just went through my network and pointed them to the 8100. But when i do that with 2k machines i get a similar error. :(


thanks though.......

Uninstall any drivers or software you have already tried then try going to your server again you shouldn't need to have any drivers the server should have them and will install what you need auto matically. If it does ask you to pick from the list which it shouldn't make sure you choose the W2K drivers. They should be the same as xp though there are more or less the same OS.:rolleyes:

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