HP laserjet 6P and windows 10 v. 1511

[AGreene156]

I just got a new computer with Windows 10.  My HP 6P/6MP was also not working.  I am using the parallel to USB cable. The default port had been an  LPT.  I changed this to USB 001.  The printer now works beautifully.

[mont3]

Ok, on my windows 10 I can find device manager but I don't see any choice for parallel port properties.

Why does this stuff have to be so difficult???

[DuaneTN]

Mont3,

If your computer doesn't have a parallel port...it will not be listed in device manager.  Device manager is Windows  way of listing what your computer has in it.

If you are trying to hook your HP Laserjet 6P (which has a parallel port coming out of the back of it) to your computer, then you will have to use/buy a parallel port to usb cable.  That cabe will go between your printer and computer.  Once attached, the printer should be recognized via the usb end plugged into your computer and listed in device manager under Printers.

Your computer does not have to have a parallel port listed in device manager for the HP Laserjet 6P to work. 

Hope this helps.

DuaneTN

[mont3]

Ok, I'm ready to throw the 6p in the trash.

I switched the port in the 6p properties to the USB 001 and that didn't work.

I just get two pages with one line of gibberish ink on both.

I can't find anywhere how to do either of these tips:

"I changed the Setting of LPT1 in Device Manager from "never use Interrupt" to "use Interrupt" and the Printer at LPT1: started Printing immediately"

or

"going to Device Manager and going to the properties of the LPT Port.  Then click the "Port Settings" tab and put a check mark in "Enable legacy Plug and Play detection"

This is three hours I won't ever get back.

[mont3]

Thanks Duane,

I appreciate your reply.

My situation is similar to the others that were listed: I use a usb cable to connect to the printer (which receives the cable in the old fashioned long connector).

The printer had been working for several months with Windows 10 and only recently stopped working.  Arrgh.

I hate to admit defeat but I think I'm there.

Mont3

[DuaneTN]

Mont3,

Your comp sounds like mine, which has a Printer Port (LPT1) in the back of it, thus the reason it shows up in device manager.

But if your HP Laserjet is connected to your comp with a usb cable, the Printer Port listing in device manager has nothing to do with the HP printer.

That would show up in Control Panel/Devices and Printers.

Is the HP Laserjet listed there?  If so, try removing it there, then adding it back like you would when adding  a new printer.  I had to do that once when my HP stopped working. 

Knock on wood (my head)...the printer is operating correctly.  Can even be shared via the network I am connected with.

Don't give up yet!!  They are to reliable as a printer!!!

DuaneTN

[AGreene156]

I had to R-click on the 6P printer menu in Control Panel Hardware and Sound and remove the check from LPT1 and then check Virtual Printer Port for Laserjet 6P/6MP.   Then  uncheck "print offline" and "pause printing" which appeared in a menu.  I am not sure how I accessed that. 

[mont3]

Thanks AGreene,

I've done that (selected virtual printer port 001) and no change - the test page goes to the printer but it again prints two pages with one line at top of each in gibberish.

I've deleted the printer (In: Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Devices and Printers) and then again attemped to reinstall, computer searches and again, cannot find the 6p which is attached by usb cable.  Tried again with differnt usb socket, still no success. The computer is new <6 months old, all Windows 10 updates have been installed.  Once more attemped to install manually from a list, this time selecting the Virtual Printer Port - usb from the install options.  On attempt to print test page the same result, the printer activates right away but prints one page with one line of gibberish on the top.  Nominal progress, I only wasted one piece of paper this time.  The stack of wasted paper has been growing - i'll reuse.

I agree Duane, the 6p has been an awesome printer.  It's a shame to waste an otherwise good printer for the sake what must be a basic software glitch.  At the moment, I'm tapped out.

Thanks Guys, all help is appreciated.

Mont3

[DuaneTN]

Mont3,

I guess the statement from you that causes me question is "The printer had been working for several months with Windows 10 and only recently stopped working".  If it had been working, then something changed to make it stop working.

I have the latest and greatest updates from Windows 10 installed, and mine is still working correctly...so I am thinking it isn't a Windows 10 update that caused it.

In device manager, nowhere is the HP Laserjet 6P mentioned by name.  In the Ports (Com & LPT) tab, under Printer Port (LPT), the properties of that port settings are set to "Never use an interrupt" and the "Enable legacy Plug and Play detection" box is unchecked.  Right under that box is "LPT Port Number" which is set to LPT1, but should not make any difference since the  box is unchecked.

The only place my HP Laserjet 6P shows up is in Control Panel > Devices and Printers.  What does it show there...the HP LaserJet 6P listed (working properly or as having problems) or not listed at all? 

If it is not listed at all, I am wondering if by chance your usb printer cable went bad or maybe the printer port end got unseated somehow.  Believe it or not, I did have the same thing happen with a usb-printer port cable that I had.  I tried every which way but loose to get it to work, but to no avail.  Only after I changed the cable to another one I had, did it work.

I guess another question I have is how are you requesting a print test page...which renders you 1-2 pages of one line gibberish at the top?  Is it from the print test button on top of the printer (which should render you a page that describes the printer), or are you generating it from Control Panel > Devices and Printers?  If from the later, I take it the HP Laserjet is showing up in Control Panel > Devices and Printers?  From there you would right mouse click the HP Laserjet printer to get to Printer properties, and then Print Test Page.  While in that properties window, the Ports tab shows on mine as the box for "Port USB001 Virtual printer port for USB HP LaserJet 6P" checked.

You got my brain wondering here...and not ready to give up!!  Mine took several tries to be recognized and work when I switched to Windows 10, but like I said...having the printer now working properly was well worth the many attempts.

Good Luck!

DuaneTN

[dchst16]

I'm connecting my printer through a USB cable connected to the computer and a parallel ending connecting the printer (might be a serial port, I'm not sure).  I can not find "parallel port's properties" in the Device Manager.  Where would "Do not try to use interrupt" be for me?