HP DeskJet Printers Alternate Drivers

An alternate printer driver is a printer driver designed for a specific printer model that can be used with other printers. There are cases where it is necessary to use an alternate printer driver, such as defective driver disks, DOS based programs and operating systems that printer drivers are not available for, such as OS/2. This document provides advice on alternate drivers for the HP Deskjet 600/700/800/1000/1120 series printers.

Note #1 - This does not include the HP DeskJet 710C, 720C, 820C, and 1000C, as they do not have alternative drivers.
Note #2 - You can download any printer drivers you need from the Hewlett Packard website

MS-DOS

In general, use the latest model of HP DeskJet printer driver that is available from the DOS software manufacturer. Typically, the greater the model number of the DeskJet, the newer the printer. For example, an HP DeskJet 870C is newer than an HP DeskJet 550C. Do not select a printer driver that is newer than the printer in use. For example, do not use an HP DeskJet 870C printer driver with an HP DeskJet 550C printer.

In order to print from an MS-DOS prompt with the HP DeskJet 710C, 720C, 820C, or 1000C series printer, the MS-DOS program must be run from an MS-DOS box in Windows and the printer must be set as the Windows default printer.

Windows 3.1X

Use the HP DeskJet 500 universal driver that ships with Windows 3.1X.

Windows 95

Use the HP DeskJet 550C universal driver that ships with Windows 95.

Windows NT 3.5.X

If a driver for the printer in use is not listed in Windows NT 3.5 or available on the Microsoft Web page, then use the HP DeskJet 550C universal driver that ships with Windows NT 3.5.X.

Windows NT 4.X

If a driver for the printer in use is not listed in Windows NT 4.0 or available on the Microsoft Web page, then use the HP DeskJet 550C universal driver that ships with Windows NT 4.X.