HP 710 issue with Windows Vista 64

[cfba]

I have a Deskjet 712C 

I used to have it plugged via parallel port to W-2000 computer: no problem.

No I have a W-Vista x64 Home Premium plugged through USB, and it doesn't work. I installed the default driver that the computer chooses automatically. The printer does appear on the Control Panel (online), but it won't print. When I send a document to print (regardless of software), the printer does its initial "dance", but when it comes to pulling the paper, it stops, and nothing else happens. The doc never appears on the queue. Online help at HP is useless. Diagnostics tool doesnt help because it doesn't even detect the printer (which the computer does detect).

Can anyone help?

[sandersen]

I am also in the same predicament: Same printer HP Deskjet 712C, same previous computer operating system success, new current computer, same USB connection on new computer, and same current Vista 64 operating system without success. Initiating a print job results in the paper being staged, ready to start printing but nothing after that. It was a perfectly good, working printer before. It's too bad HP doesn't have a solution or someone else more knowledgeable hasn't figured out how to make this setup work. I haven't given up on the issue, though. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Bob_Headrick]

It is probably a bit unfair to blame this issue on HP.  The Deskjet 710/712 are host based printers that require bidirectional communication between the printer and computer.  The interface required is an IEEE-1284 compliant parallel port.

You are both using a USB to parallel port converter.  I would suspect that in both cases this is the root of the problem.  Do you have a converter that allows bidirectional communication?  Is your converter supported by Vista 64?

I suspect the best solution if you want to keep the Deskjet 700 series printer is to get an inexpensive IEEE-1284 PCI card for your computer and then connect the printer with a standard IEEE-12844 cable.  

Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging

[quizzzical]

I suspect the best solution if you want to keep the Deskjet 700 series printer is to get an inexpensive IEEE-1284 PCI card for your computer and then connect the printer with a standard IEEE-12844 cable

What is a standard IEEE-12844 cable?  Is this a Parallel to USB cable?  If it's anything else, there's no way to connect the 712 to a USB port.   Thanks for your help.

[cfba]

I was finnally able to solve the problem. I downgraded to W-Vista 32 bit. With this OS I was able to use the USB able to the printer, and it works perferct.

To use W-Vista 64 bit, I understand you need a PCI card that creates a parallel port on your computer, and then used the parallel cable you used to use before you W-Vista.

Computer stores should understand what a PCI card for IEEE1284 is.

[RoFl]

Same problem here, deskjet 710C connected to LPT1 does not work in windows 7 x64.

Works fine in Windows XP/32 and Vista/32

[Bob_Headrick]

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RoFl wrote:

Same problem here, deskjet 710C connected to LPT1 does not work in windows 7 x64.

Works fine in Windows XP/32 and Vista/32

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What have you tried?  Go to the Printers folder, Add Printer, Local Port, LPT1:, Windows Update, wait a few minutes for the list to repopulate, then select the HP deskjet 710c from the list.

[RoFl]

The driver for the HP710 is installed by windows update. The printer does not respond.

After installing the x86 version of Windows 7, the printer works fine. I noticed that the driver

version is the same as the HP710 driver voor Vista x86. I do wonder if the printer would work in Vista x64.

[OldDoc]

Bob,

I also have trouble with a Deskjet 712C printer running Vista64 (Vista Home Premium 64 SP2).

This same Deskjet 712C printer works fine on XP.

I'm using a Sabrent USB to IEEE1284 Parallel, fully bi-directional, printer cable to connect.  

When I follow your instructions:

"Use Windows Update, wait a few minutes for the list to repopulate", I find that Deskjet 710c is not on the new (very short) updated list.  In fact there are no Deskjets on the updated list.

I have tried both the 710C and 720C drivers.  Elsewhere your instructions say to use LPT1.  Would it make sense to use USB for the Bidirectional cable I have?

Is there a fix that lets me continue to use Vista64?  I do not consider changing to Vista32 a solution.  

I have purchased and recommended this brand for years because I could get support and find ink for legacy printers.

What do you recommend?

[Bob_Headrick]

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OldDoc wrote:
I also have trouble with a Deskjet 712C printer running Vista64 (Vista Home Premium 64 SP2).

This same Deskjet 712C printer works fine on XP.

I'm using a Sabrent USB to IEEE1284 Parallel, fully bi-directional, printer cable to connect.  

When I follow your instructions:

"Use Windows Update, wait a few minutes for the list to repopulate", I find that Deskjet 710c is not on the new (very short) updated list.  In fact there are no Deskjets on the updated list.

I have tried both the 710C and 720C drivers.  Elsewhere your instructions say to use LPT1.  Would it make sense to use USB for the Bidirectional cable I have?

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Oops, my directions for Windows Update related to Windows 7, not Vista. Vista has the drivers built-in.

The issue you are having is likely related to  the USB to parallel converter.  You will need a driver for Vista 64 that supports the converter.  I have seen many reports of issues with the converters and very few successes. Typically the converter will provide a virtual LPT: port, you will need to consult your documentation or Device Manager to find the proper port.

 A more straightforward approach may be to add a true parallel port with an inexpensive plugin card (assuming you are not using a laptop/notebook.)