deskjet 3420 alternate driver installed but printer still not printing

[bluegirl64]

Hello all, I followed the directions found under the " alternate print driver installation for Win 7 for USB". Once the windows update finished the 3600 was not present, but the 9800 was (which I have read is also a generic driver). I can see the printer in my list of printers (I have only 1)and the driver says it's the 9800. I changed the port from LT1 to USB001.  When I ask it to print a test page it is listed in the print jobs & then disappears as if it thinks that the job has been completed. I have tried each of the USB ports & they are all the same. The printer has a green check beside it and says it is working properly. I do not know if I have a 32 or 64 bit application. What have I missed?

[bluegirl64]

Oh and I tried turning off the User Account Control Settings, rebooting to see if that helped, but no change.

[bluegirl64]

 I have been able to install the 9800 driver as the 3600 does not appear in the list, but when it comes to configuring the driver under Manage-System tools-Other devices, "Other devices" is not in the list. I am wondering if this is my problem.  Any suggestions?

[rb011]

Hi @bluegirl64,

Thanks for exploring the HP Suport Forums with your printing issue.

I understand that you are trying to print using an HP Deskjet 3420 Color Inkjet Printer with a Windows 7 PC using alternative drivers, but it is not printing. I would like to help.

I was looking at the Table of compatible drivers from the Installing an Alternate Print Driver in Windows 7 for a USB Cable Connection support document and found that the 'Deskjet 3600' is only available through Windows Update. Did you click the Windows Update button when you noticed that the 'Deskjet 3600' was not listed?

I will watch for your reply so I can assist you further. Please reply at your convenience.

Thanks!

[bluegirl64 · Accepted solution]

So I figured it out and the instructions on this site are not correct, at least for my set up. The windows update took over 8 hours for me, so be patient and then the deskjet 3600 was not listed the first time. Two windows updates, the 3600 driver was listed. Hooray! Then I chose the USB001 printer port. Then it said to go to Computer rt click Manage, but printers are not managed there at all. I went into Devices & Printers and found my printer then rt click and choose Printer Properties. Under the Advanced tab click on new driver and the list of windows update drivers came up. I followed the printer install wizard and after I clicked Finish I was able to go back in and print the test page. Eureka. I spent hours on this and I hope this can help someone else.

Cheers