Printer driver versions not the same for all OS's

[edutech4schools]

Hi, Been having a few issues with our printers, see this post EDIT linked to wrong post: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/98241-printers-causing-me-no-end-problems.html#post853770

 

I have just downloaded the latest drivers for our Dell 1355cn printers but the driver has not been updated for server 2008r2 to the same version as the xp and 7 64bit.

 

Is it always an issue installing drivers with different versions? if so why have dell not updated all drivers...

Edited July 18, 2012 by edutech4schools

[SHimmer45]

when the pc connects to the server or you roll out a driver it will ask for the XP/NT4/2000 driver as that is the OS, the driver version is specific to that OS hence why the 2008R2 is a different version.

 

well thats my take on driver versions and differings OS's.

i think 2008R2 needs the driver versions to be the same for 32/64 bit for them to be rolled out to the correct machine type.

[edutech4schools]

Ok my next question is how do I update each driver for each OS version.

 

If I go to printer manager on 2008r2 server

right click on the printer and choose properties

select the advanced tab

click on new driver, I get the option to upload a driver but at what point does it ask if its for a 32 bit xp, 32 bit windows 7 or 64bit windows 7, or will this overwrite the 2008r2 driver.

[SHimmer45]

i use the print management and navigate to the print server and the drivers tab then add driver selecting either x86/X64.

 

it then asks where the driver file is you dont need to specify what the driver os type is as it gets that from the "OEMSETUP.INF" of the driver

the Kyocera and HP drivers i use for both XP32/64 it says Windows NT x86 for the 32 bit versions and Windows x64 for the 64 bit versions.

 

it should the the same for windows 7 but specify windows seven in the description, i need to add a couple of Win7 drivers today so i can let you know.

also i would suggest removing the old drivers from the server before adding new ones.

[SHimmer45]

just added 2 windows 7 drivers (for as kyocera) both x86 and x64 and its show the environment as being Windows NT x86 and Windows x64.

this is the same for the Kyoceras HP and Epson Drivers....

 

you would only add a 2008R2 driver if you want to actually print from the server to the printer