Universal Printer Driver for HP LaserJet 2015dn & 64-bit Windows 7 Not Good Enough

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On my new computer with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, the driver Windows installed for my network HP LaserJet P2015dn printer does not provide all the feature functionality present on my XP machines. (For example, Print On Both Sides, Correct Order for Straight Paper path, selectable customized settings I can save, etc.) I tried installing from the 2015’s CD in Compatibility Mode (it defaults to Win XP SP2 which I couldn’t change) that took me through a circuitous route (with apparent access to the the HP web site) with the same result. When I went to the HP site directly, for my printer with “Windows 7 64-bit”, I was directed to a universal driver file (the only choice) that gave essentially the same result — except that Print On Both Sides is now available, but not any of the other features I use regularly.

Does anyone know how I can get Windows 7 access to all the features of the P2015dn?

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Update rollup: Fix printing problems in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2?

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Thank you for your reply, SpywareDr. I reviewed the issues addressed in the Update rollup link, but none of them seem to apply to my situation. I can print okay from Windows 7, but when I go into Printer Preferences to select specific features I’ve used under XP, some of them are not available. I believe the Universal PCL 6 driver provided by HP for 64-bit Windows 7 does not include them, and that’s the only type they provide (along with PCL 5 and PostScript — all “Universal”).

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That’s what it looks like to me as well. Apparently HP has not (yet, if ever) included all of the original functionality in their Universal version.

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The drivers included with Windows are often just the basics to get the device functioning but not take advantage of all the features. All printer OEMS and HP in particular are notorious for not providing updated drivers. They want you to buy a new device.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks, Joe.

So I’m basically out of luck . . .

Maybe someone here who has come up with workarounds will see this thread.

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Count yourself lucky that you are able to print at all. As Joe said, HP is notorious for not providing drivers for newer Operating Systems. And when they do, they sometimes charge for them. The Universal Print driver is an easy out for them as they supply basic functionality for a group of printers that share the same basic engine.

Jerry

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One thing you might try is to find a similar HP printer that DOES have a current driver. That printer’s driver may in fact work for your printer, and may in fact provide more functionality than the universal driver.

When you check printer information on the HP website, you will see compatible printers listed. That will give you a place to start.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Excellent idea, mrjimphelps. Thanks!

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mrjimphelps, I’m having trouble finding “compatible printers listed” that you mentioned. Perhaps I’m not looking on the HP site in the right way. Could you provide some clarification?

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Here are the drivers for Windows Vista 64-bit:

https://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdHome/?sp4ts.oid=1845561&spf_p.tpst=swdMain&spf_p.prp_swdMain=wsrp-navigationalState%3DswEnvOID%253D2100%257CswLang%253D%257Caction%253DlistDriver&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

They look like specific printer drivers, rather than universal printer drivers, and maybe they will work, since Vista-64 is not far removed from 7-64.

I would start with the PCL6 driver. PCL6 is newer and more capable than PCL5. You could try the Postscript driver, but my gut tells me that you’ll have better luck with the PCL driver than with the Postscript driver. And I’d choose from the first three listed, not the 2nd three. Listings are simpler, fewer words.

I, like you, am unable to find the list of compatible drivers. In ancient days, you could find that info on the HP web site.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Super! I was starting to wonder if Vista 64 might be worth a try. Thanks, mrjimphelps.

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mrjimphelps —

Well, I tried the Vista 64-bit driver files using different Vista Compatibility Mode options w/ and w/o “Administrator”, and I also tried the driver(s) for 64-bit XP (and used Compatibility Mode & Administrator combinations). The results were always the same — the installation would start but never find the printer!

I may try connecting the printer directly to my Windows 7 PC and see if I can get the Vista files to find it . . .

Thanks.

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64 bit drivers for Windows 7 are listed here: http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/psi/swdHome/?lang=en&cc=us&sp4ts.oid=1845561

Jerry

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