Solved: DesignJet 430 Bad Drivers from HP website - HP Support Community

tojojon · ‎02-28-2022

Hello. I am trying to get my DesignJet 430 running but am having big problems downloading drivers from HP website. When I download the driver for AutoCad 2005., it comes in as a zipped .exe file. When I unzip, all files have incomplete file extensions with underscore. For example: .ex_, .hp_, .sp_. After searching internet, I learned that these are compressed files that need to be expanded using Windows command prompt, which I did. Now I am able to start the exe file, but all it does is to start the hp color correction wizard. I've never had so much trouble getting a driver from a manufacturer. Not sure what's going on. I am using AutoCad and this plotter on a XP system. Windows can't seem to find any drivers either. Plotter shows up in Devices and Printers, but without a driver installed. There are non-hp websites claiming to have the driver for the 430, but I am afraid to download anything from them, unless someone can recommend a safe alternative to HP site. So any advice or suggestions from the Community would be greatly appreciated. I'm out of ideas. Thank you! - Tom

D Hook · ‎03-05-2022

I suppose the email was kicked because it contained a file that **bleep** didn't trust.

Don't know what happened to the PM icon for you.

Have you tried doing a search under the "Support" tab for your printer at the top of this page? I found the support page has the driver for both the 32 and 64 bit XP operating systems. I downloaded them and the files unzipped just fine and look complete nothing like what you described originally. I would try that option again and see if maybe you just got a bad download. Here's a link:https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-designjet-400-printer-series/25253/model/24559

When you download the driver, it's in a zipped folder so you have to unzip it to a new folder on your desktop. Should be around 17 files when it's unzipped. Then use the "Have Disc" option when loading the driver and browse to that folder.

The other thing I noticed was that the driver for the 430 might be already on your computer in the XP system. You may have already tried this but when you go to "Add a printer" and select HP, it should bring up a list of supported printers that are already in your computer. My Windows 7 system still shows the legacy printers like the 220 and the 450C as an option to load. You might try other drivers that are in the same family as your printer first. Then maybe move onto the 600 and 700 series. If they don't work, use the "remove a device" option and try another. (You may have to reboot between loading and removing each driver.) I've had success with this in the past. I used to use a driver for a Designjet 5500 with several different printers because the interface was much better. Used it for a T1200, which was much newer than the 5500 and it worked just fine.

I hope you can get this working. Those older printers have a lot of life left in them. Let us know what happens.

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Repairatrooper · ‎02-28-2022

I have seen other users state that they had a driver that they downloaded directly from Autocad that worked for older HP plotters.

If you find the information provided useful or solves your problems, help other users find the solution easier by giving kudos and marking my post as an accepted solution.
I am a volunteer, offering my knowledge to support fellow users, I do not work for HP nor speak for HP.

tojojon · ‎03-02-2022

Hi, thanks for your reply. I searched for drivers from Autodesk with no luck. Also tried to install using AutoCad 2008 Add-A-Plotter Wizard. The Wizard could not see my plotter, so no luck there either. Windows sees my DesignJet but can't find a driver. I think my next step will be to see if HP will respond. I do not expect that they will. Right now I'd be happy if I could just find a Windows (XP or 7) driver. Then, I could print CAD file to pdf from AutoCad, and then print the pdf file from Windows. This was suggested by another individual online. It might work for me if I could get a Windows driver that will load. Thanks again for your ideas. -Tom

D Hook · ‎03-03-2022

I have a driver for the 450C printer that might work. it's the PL532en driver. When I go to load it, it shows several of the HP legacy printers to choose from. The 430 isn't there but I'm pretty sure the 450 driver would work. I've used different drivers on different printers before and haven't had any problems. Is your XP a 32 or 64 bit machine? I have the driver for both. Send a PM with your email address.

tojojon · ‎03-03-2022

D Hook, that's very kind of you to offer. I'm really almost out of ideas, other than to spend $50 on an Ebay disk called "How To Install Drivers HP Designjet 430 For Windows". My XP system is 32-bit, and my email address is: [personal info removed]. Thank you! -Tom

D Hook · ‎03-03-2022

You'll have to send me a PM through this forum for me to get you the driver package. HP doesn't allow you to post your email address on the threads. I'll send you the 32bit version first, then the 64bit in case you need it down the road.

tojojon · ‎03-03-2022

Sorry about that. For some reason, the "Send Message" button is not showing up on your profile like it should (I think). I've tried different browsers and different PC's. I'll reboot and try again in a little while. Thanks. -Tom

D Hook · ‎03-04-2022

It could be your low post count. You'll want to peruse the TOS or the forum rules to see.

MarcusC · ‎03-04-2022

Hey Guys @D Hook @tojojon @Repairatrooper 🙂

The PMs are only avaible at level 5 ! Or opened for new users when Agents or Experts ask us for it 🙂

In this specific case, as @D Hook is one of our best contributors, the PM of @tojojon is now opened.

But, I also would like to say that if the file is under 5mb, you can upload it, or post the official link by HP. Anyway, just a heads up for the future, I understand he needs the specific one.

Kind regards,

MarcusC

I work on behalf of HP.

D Hook · ‎03-04-2022

Thanks Marcus! You're the best!

Tojojon, I sent you a PM.

DesignJet 430 Bad Drivers from HP website

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