HP LaserJet 5 with USB-Parallel only recognised after replugging USB

I have a very old but perfectly reliable HP LaserJet 5, which under Windows 7 worked perfectly using a USB-Parallel converter.

Under Windows 10 (Enterprise RTM, clean install, not yet Threshold 2), it is recognised (and prints fine) if its USB connection is plugged into the computer after switching on the printer.

However, once turned off, it is not recognised just by switching it back on. Although it appears in Windows Printers correctly, it won't print unless the USB wire is unplugged and then plugged back in again.

Any suggestions appreciated - it's been perfect since 1997 under Windows 98, XP, and 7 (with the USB-Parallel converter).

Sadly just not under the 'best Windows ever'.

ChrisA22963 said:

I have a very old but perfectly reliable HP LaserJet 5, which under Windows 7 worked perfectly using a USB-Parallel converter.

Under Windows 10 (Enterprise RTM, clean install, not yet Threshold 2), it is recognised (and prints fine) if its USB connection is plugged into the computer after switching on the printer.

However, once turned off, it is not recognised just by switching it back on. Although it appears in Windows Printers correctly, it won't print unless the USB wire is unplugged and then plugged back in again.

Any suggestions appreciated - it's been perfect since 1997 under Windows 98, XP, and 7 (with the USB-Parallel converter).

Sadly just not under the 'best Windows ever'.

Were you able to solve that printing problem with laserjet 5l?
I own that printer as well, but i'm using old LPT port, which worked flawlessly on win7.
I upgraded to win10, and having a problem, too.
Windows recognize printer, i tried to reinstall it, but it just wont print, it says "printer is in error state", or "the printer couldn't print test page".
Did you managed to do anything?

nidjo said:

Were you able to solve that printing problem with laserjet 5l?
I own that printer as well, but i'm using old LPT port, which worked flawlessly on win7.
I upgraded to win10, and having a problem, too.
Windows recognize printer, i tried to reinstall it, but it just wont print, it says "printer is in error state", or "the printer couldn't print test page".
Did you managed to do anything?

My printer is a LaserJet 5, not a 5L, and the problem I have sounds different from yours.

With mine, it prints fine, but only if I plug the USB cable in after switching the printer on. If I just leave it plugged in, the computer thinks it's offline until I unplug and replug the cable.

Sadly, this remains a problem even after the upgrade to Windows 10 v1511.

ChrisA22963 said:

My printer is a LaserJet 5, not a 5L, and the problem I have sounds different from yours.

With mine, it prints fine, but only if I plug the USB cable in after switching the printer on. If I just leave it plugged in, the computer thinks it's offline until I unplug and replug the cable.

Sadly, this remains a problem even after the upgrade to Windows 10 v1511.

yes, I made a mistake, not the same printers...
problem isn't the same, correct, but I was hoping that switching to usb interface would allow me to print even if I had to do it your way, since I can't print at all atm.

Hi,

Windows recognize printer, i tried to reinstall it, but it just wont print, it says "printer is in error state", or "the printer couldn't print test page".

Does this printer print a test page on its own, outside of Windows I mean ?
It's often just pushing and holding two buttons on the printer simultaneously, I just can't remember which one for that model.
Consult the manual to do this and if it doesn't work then there actually is a problem with the printer. A usb to lpt conversion cable won't solve this anyway.

To TS, sorry, although I use a similar config as yours I can't help you with this. I did notice that W10 expects you to use the same port the printer was installed on though which is to be expected I reckon.

Cheers,

printer is working fine, I get test page when I press the button on printer. I had to print something, so I carried printer to my other pc with win7 installed, and it printed normally. I ordered lpt to usb cable yesterday anyway, it's not expensive - and who knows, it might help. I tried everything else already.

Alright, solved! I borrowed LPT to USB cable to test my printer, and it's working! Seems Win10 doesn't support LPT port, LPT to USB adapter is needed. This made my day, almost 20 years old printer and still kicking :)

Great, glad to hear that. Just about to reboot after the latest cumulative update, let's see if anything else is fixed :)

ChrisA22963 said:

Great, glad to hear that. Just about to reboot after the latest cumulative update, let's see if anything else is fixed :)

did you consider installing drivers of some similar printer from same group/family? i would contact hp to ask about similar printer drivers if my solution failed....

Hi,

All the older HP printers that are supported by Windows 10 are delivered directly by MS.
I don't think you'd find any W10 printer drivers on HP site for these printers.

W10 has no problem with the LPT port on another machine I have.
I just bought the USB to LPT conversion cable for another machine I have which no longer has a LPT port.

Anyway, glad to hear one of you has his problem sorted.

Cheers,