HP Says they No Longer Sell Laser Printer Compatible with Win 98

On Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:50:12 -0700, foo wrote:

Inquiry to Hewlett Packard:

How can I find laser printers that have a parallel port and work
with DOS/Win 98?

Response:

Why buy a new one, when there are so many going second hand or
surplus? These generally had no option but to be compatible with W98,
though HP migrated their support emphasis to NT / W2K fairly early on.

My local 'Thrift Store' even offers a seven day return policy if there
are problems. I've not had to resort to that, because there's
generally nothing wrong with the devices I've sourced there that can't
be fixed fairly easily.

Second hand uniits are also good sources for spare parts, though you
might have to be patient, waiting for the right part to show up, once
you figure out which part donors contain it.

Using W98 isn't necessarily the easiest or smartest option.

RL

Using Windows 98 Second Edition may not be easy but it certainly is a smart
option because if you see secunia.com then you will notice Windows 98 Second
Edition is safer in terms of vulnerabilites than either Windows 2000
Professional, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home. Windows Vista is
so far more secure but still is annoying due to user account control,
automated features and it still struggles with backwards compatibility of
older programs. We will see how well Windows Vista Service Pack 1 fixes
these issues or if Microsoft does not address them but I think Microsoft will
eventually.

Ron Martell wrote:


The Brother MFC7820N Printer/Scanner/Fax/Copier/PC Fax has parallel,
USB, and Network ports and has drivers for Windows 98 original and up.
I just bought one and have it directly connected to the home network.

Two shortcomings:
1. It does not have "smart ring answer" for incoming faxes, which I
used with my old Panasonic thermal fax.

Correction. It does have "smart ring" answer capability and it works
very well. It it just not mentioned in the setup guide or
advertising but the user manual has fuill instructions.




2. It does not have drivers for Windows Server verrsions. I have a
machine running the just-release Windows Home Server and I can't use
the printer with that PC.

Correction. Brother does have a Windows Server driver for this
machine, for printing functions only. I had to email them and they
sent me the download link. Works just fine and is fully adequate
for my needs for printing from the server.


I am now a totally happy camper and as far as I am concerned this is
pretty close to the ideal laser multifunction machine for small
office/ home office use.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."