HP OfficeJet 6000 (Windows 7 x64) Print Spooler Problems

[RobFuller]

Hi,

We have about 8 of these printers which worked perfectly well on our old x86 (2k3) PrintServer and XP clients, we have now migrated the site to Win7 X64 and the PrintServer is 2k8R2. I have setup the printers on the server using the Basic version 13 drivers and from the server works perfectly. But if you then connect to the printer share it completely screws for lack of a better word the local print spooler and renders the clients ability to print to any printer dead. The only fix I have found is to re image the client and not install the 6000.
I have tried all the usual tricks of different drivers, compatibility even the dreaded universal driver, that worked but the print outs were absolute gar gar so no help there. I'm completely lost, and asking HP resulted in an argument that they do not support networking on these printers (hello it has a network port for what exactly?) anyway.

Does anyone use these printers on a server client bases and explicitly with Windows 7 x64 I would love to hear from you.

Many thanks,
Rob

[DT2]

Look under print driver isolation in your Print Management Console.
This gives you the option to isolate the driver so should it fail, it doesn't take out the print spooler service.
In Fact HP did a whole document on driver isolation - i'll see if i can find it for you.

DT

Here you go: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01938404.pdf

[RobFuller]

I did look at driver isolation that could help with the problem of print spooler crashing however still leaves me with dead 6000's. I think they shouldnt of been branded OfficeJet but DeskJets with 'networking' I would have steered well clear then.

[DT2]

Have you tried the edimax printservers?
I know it kinda defeats the object, what with the built in network point, but it may just bring them to a certain level of operability.

DT

[RobFuller]

Don't know if that would help, I'm fine connecting over the network to the printers and printing, its just when the client connects to the printer share on the server, thats when the trouble begins.

[plexer]

HP only supports these printers in a small workgroup setup where each client would be configured to print to them via a tcp/ip port on the pc itself not in a client/server with print server environment.

As you can probably guess I've had the same argument with them over this.

Ben

[RobFuller]

Yes I was not best pleased, I though OfficeJet's should be capable as DeskJets with networking are 'workgroup' printers for sure. Only the 8000 is a proper network printer in that range.