Windows Server 2008 and 32bit only Print Drivers

Sponsored Links

Hi all,

I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it here. Is
there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows 2008 x64 system
where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across several printers where this
is the case. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

--
Tim.

[acray]

Back when XP x64 edition first came out I ran across this problem. (Trying to install a printer that only had 32-bit drivers.) It was a real nightmare then. Requiring third party applications like Thinprint. (Thin print essentially did the following: Install 64-bit post script printer on the host, convert the file to post script, send it to a 32-bit 'print server' to be printed.)

I haven't revisited this topic in Server 2008, but I know the printing sub-system in XP x64 is entirely different than x86 and you can't shoehorn 32-bit drivers into it no matter how hard you try.

Hello Tim,

See here about 2008 printing:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx

Drivers with 2008:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Hi all,
>
> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> --
> Tim.

[acray]

If I read those documents correctly, the only time it mentioned using 32-bit drivers was when they were being loaded on the server to distribute to clients. It implied to me that a 64-bit version still had be installed on the server for you to be able to print from the server.

Thank you Meinolf, I'll try these methods.

--
Tim.

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:ff16fb6617c088cb53f5055acd99@msnews.microsoft.com...
> Hello Tim,
>
> See here about 2008 printing:
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx
>
> Drivers with 2008:
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
>> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
>> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
>> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
>> greatly appreciated.
>>
>> --
>> Tim.
>
>

Tim, if there are no x64 drivers for the devices, you can not add a queue
for the device on the x64 print server

You can attempt using an alternate x64 print driver that at least will get
toner / ink on the page.

If you are attempting to share the printer with 32bit clients, the 32bit
print driver which matches the name of the x64 print driver needs to be
installed.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
news:uG$29RghJHA.4016@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Thank you Meinolf, I'll try these methods.
>
> --
> Tim.
>
> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
> news:ff16fb6617c088cb53f5055acd99@msnews.microsoft.com...
>> Hello Tim,
>>
>> See here about 2008 printing:
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx
>>
>> Drivers with 2008:
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Meinolf Weber
>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> confers no rights.
>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
>>> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
>>> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
>>> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
>>> greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Tim.
>>
>>
>
>

Hmm, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks Alan. This leaves two options then.
1) the closest with an existing x64 driver or 2) an x86 print server to
handle the old 32 bit only printers, with emphasis on "Buy a new printer!"
to the clients.

--
Tim.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:u$0Lf7ihJHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Tim, if there are no x64 drivers for the devices, you can not add a queue
> for the device on the x64 print server
>
> You can attempt using an alternate x64 print driver that at least will get
> toner / ink on the page.
>
> If you are attempting to share the printer with 32bit clients, the 32bit
> print driver which matches the name of the x64 print driver needs to be
> installed.
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
>
> "Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
> news:uG$29RghJHA.4016@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Thank you Meinolf, I'll try these methods.
>>
>> --
>> Tim.
>>
>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news:ff16fb6617c088cb53f5055acd99@msnews.microsoft.com...
>>> Hello Tim,
>>>
>>> See here about 2008 printing:
>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx
>>>
>>> Drivers with 2008:
>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx
>>>
>>> Best regards
>>>
>>> Meinolf Weber
>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>> confers no rights.
>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
>>>> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
>>>> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
>>>> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
>>>> greatly appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Tim.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

For some of the devices like older plotters, you will need the x86 print
server. The "bad" thing is these devices are expensive, so they end up in
use for many years and HP for one has designed them to last a while (unlike
the number of newer printers by all vendors that seem to have about a two to
four year shelf life).

If there are any standard or preferred hardware lists in your organization,
work with them and give them a list of devices with x64 and x86 drivers.
Even HP has missed the boat on some of their multifunction devices but
that's just a lack of x64 support for functions other than the printer, and
I really don't care, because I'm just a printer guy, but it's important to
other people.

there is a windows update site that has a bunch of print drivers of many
languages and support of x86 and x64.

I have found the site hard to use in the past but I was just there and it
appears to have had a facelift, I guess I was not the only one complaining.
See if you can find the x64 drivers for your devices.

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
news:ORWnK7shJHA.3444@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Hmm, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks Alan. This leaves two options
> then. 1) the closest with an existing x64 driver or 2) an x86 print server
> to handle the old 32 bit only printers, with emphasis on "Buy a new
> printer!" to the clients.
>
> --
> Tim.
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:u$0Lf7ihJHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Tim, if there are no x64 drivers for the devices, you can not add a queue
>> for the device on the x64 print server
>>
>> You can attempt using an alternate x64 print driver that at least will
>> get toner / ink on the page.
>>
>> If you are attempting to share the printer with 32bit clients, the 32bit
>> print driver which matches the name of the x64 print driver needs to be
>> installed.
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
>> news:uG$29RghJHA.4016@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Thank you Meinolf, I'll try these methods.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Tim.
>>>
>>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>> news:ff16fb6617c088cb53f5055acd99@msnews.microsoft.com...
>>>> Hello Tim,
>>>>
>>>> See here about 2008 printing:
>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx
>>>>
>>>> Drivers with 2008:
>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx
>>>>
>>>> Best regards
>>>>
>>>> Meinolf Weber
>>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>>> confers no rights.
>>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
>>>>> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
>>>>> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
>>>>> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
>>>>> greatly appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Tim.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks very much for the link Alan. The vendors I've found so far to be the
best with x64 support are Kyocera and Panasonic (for their DP- multi
function series). Brother wasn't too bad, and Xerox did a good job as well.
HP and Lexmark were both problematic.
--
Tim.


"Alan Morris [MSFT]" <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:eHHG11uhJHA.5408@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> For some of the devices like older plotters, you will need the x86 print
> server. The "bad" thing is these devices are expensive, so they end up in
> use for many years and HP for one has designed them to last a while
> (unlike the number of newer printers by all vendors that seem to have
> about a two to four year shelf life).
>
> If there are any standard or preferred hardware lists in your
> organization, work with them and give them a list of devices with x64 and
> x86 drivers. Even HP has missed the boat on some of their multifunction
> devices but that's just a lack of x64 support for functions other than the
> printer, and I really don't care, because I'm just a printer guy, but it's
> important to other people.
>
> there is a windows update site that has a bunch of print drivers of many
> languages and support of x86 and x64.
>
> I have found the site hard to use in the past but I was just there and it
> appears to have had a facelift, I guess I was not the only one
> complaining. See if you can find the x64 drivers for your devices.
>
> http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
>
> "Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
> news:ORWnK7shJHA.3444@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Hmm, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks Alan. This leaves two options
>> then. 1) the closest with an existing x64 driver or 2) an x86 print
>> server to handle the old 32 bit only printers, with emphasis on "Buy a
>> new printer!" to the clients.
>>
>> --
>> Tim.
>>
>> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:u$0Lf7ihJHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Tim, if there are no x64 drivers for the devices, you can not add a
>>> queue for the device on the x64 print server
>>>
>>> You can attempt using an alternate x64 print driver that at least will
>>> get toner / ink on the page.
>>>
>>> If you are attempting to share the printer with 32bit clients, the 32bit
>>> print driver which matches the name of the x64 print driver needs to be
>>> installed.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Alan Morris
>>> Windows Printing Team
>>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1
>>>
>>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>>> rights.
>>>
>>> "Tim Munro" <Excelsior@Liamtoh.moc> wrote in message
>>> news:uG$29RghJHA.4016@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>>> Thank you Meinolf, I'll try these methods.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Tim.
>>>>
>>>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>>> news:ff16fb6617c088cb53f5055acd99@msnews.microsoft.com...
>>>>> Hello Tim,
>>>>>
>>>>> See here about 2008 printing:
>>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc534978.aspx
>>>>>
>>>>> Drivers with 2008:
>>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732946.aspx
>>>>>
>>>>> Best regards
>>>>>
>>>>> Meinolf Weber
>>>>> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>>>>> confers no rights.
>>>>> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
>>>>> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this so I'm trying it
>>>>>> here. Is there a way to install a 32 bit print driver on a Windows
>>>>>> 2008 x64 system where no 64 bit driver exists? I've come across
>>>>>> several printers where this is the case. Any help or advice would be
>>>>>> greatly appreciated.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Tim.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>