How to Assign Alternate Print Drivers in Different Versions of Windows.

[Shane_R]

From time to time it may be necessary to try using an alternate print driver for either testing purposes, or as a work around when the regular print driver isn't working.  The steps below are only for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.  I don't know the paths for the Mac OS.  If I learn the Mac steps, I'll post those as well.

To use an alternate print driver for HP printers in Windows XP:
1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Click on Control Panel.

3. Make sure you have it set to Classic View.

4. Open the Printers and Faxes folder.
5. Right-click on your printer.
6. Select Printer Properties.
7. Click on the Advanced tab.
8. Click on New Driver.
9. Click Next.
10. Select HP from the first list.
11. Select Deskjet 990c from the second list.
12. Click Next.
13. Click Finish.
14. Click Apply.
15. Click OK to close the window.

To use an alternate print driver for HP printers in Windows Vista:
1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Click on Printers.
3. Right-click on your printer.
4. Select Printer Properties.
5. Click on the Advanced tab.
6. Click on New Driver.
7. Click Next.
8. Select HP from the first list.
9. Select Deskjet 990c from the second list.  If the 990c driver isn't there, use the Deskjet 450 driver.
10. Click Next.
11. Click Finish.
12. Click Apply.
13. Click OK to close the window.

To use an alternate print driver for HP printers in Windows 7:
1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Click on Devices and Printers.
3. Right-click on your printer.
4. Select Printer Properties.
5. Click on the Advanced tab.
6. Click on New Driver.
7. Click Next.
8. Select HP from the first list.
9. Select Deskjet 450 from the second list.  If the 450 driver isn't there, use the Deskjet 990c driver.
10. Click Next.
11. Click Finish.
12. Click Apply.
13. Click OK to close the window.

To assign an alternate print driver in Windows 8:

1. Hold your mouse arrow in the lower right, or upper right, corner of the screen to bring up the Charms Bar.  If you are using a touch screen, you can swipe your finger from the right side to the left.
2. Select the Search Charm.
3. Under the search box, click on Settings.
4. In the search box, type Devices.
5. Click on Devices and Printers.
6. Right-click on your printer.
7. Select Printer Properties.
8. Click on the Advanced tab.
9. Click on New Driver.
10. Click Next.
11. Select HP from the first list.
12. Select HP Deskjet PCL3 Class Driver from the second list.  You can also use either the Photosmart PCL3 class Driver, Officejet PCL3 Class Driver, Deskjet 990c or Deskjet 450 driver.
13. Click Next.
14. Click Finish.
15. Click Apply to save the changes.
16. Click OK to close the window.

[Shane_R · Accepted solution]

Hope this helps.  

[Bob_Headrick]

Note that the Deskjet 990c driver is a PCL3 enhanced driver.  It will work with many of the recent inkjet products.  The Deskjet 990 driver is not compatible with the Deskjet 710, 712, 720, 722, 820 or 1000 printers which are host based.

For many of the older Deskjet products such as the other Deskjet 800 series printers, Deskjet 970, 950 or 932 the Deskjet 990 driver will work for basic printing but may not properly print images.