Printer Software & KernelEx

[HoppaLong]

I've searched msfn about installing printer software and drivers with 98SE.

I may be an "advanced" computer user, but understanding what KernelEx

can and cannot do is way too complex for me.

All I can say is the KernelEx team has created something I didn't think was

possible. Congratulations!

I'd like to give a new HP D4260 printer to my dad, who uses 98SE and doesn't

need a newer version of Windows. All he does is type with a word processing

app and print the results. He needs a new printer, which is a problem since

almost all new printers have abandoned support for 98SE.

My question is simple. If I install the latest version of KernelEx can the HP

software and drivers run on a 98SE desktop? I suppose my "advanced"

computer instincts say it can't be done.

If the answer is "yes" what steps should I take to make sure the install of

KernelEx and the printer software go smoothly.

Again, KernelEx is a remarkable achievement.

Thanks guys.

(Yikes! I suppose I should have posted this under the KernelEx sticky. Sorrry about

that.)

Edited December 2, 2010 by HoppaLong

[CharlesF]

Hi,

there is a short thread about this question in the KernelEx thread, starting at post #842

HTH

Charles.

[HoppaLong]

OK CharlesF. I appreciate your reply.

Nothing that actually exists is a miracle, but what KernelEx is trying to do comes real close!

When I searched msfn I didn't find that thread which answers my question. I'm glad you did.

Someday, a genius may develop a new way for software to interface with hardware. Until that

day, drivers will always be the achilles' heel of computing.

[Steven W]

HoppaLong's problem brings a couple of questions to my mind. I have been in situations where a proper driver for a device (specifically printers or all-in-ones) wasn't available, but either a generic Windows driver or a driver for similar device would suffice. In these situations I had no internet connection and had to print.

I'm not going to link to the article that I'm reading, but some guy is modifying an inf file that's part of a driver to match his camera's Hardware ID. He succeeds in getting it to function on Win2K when the manufacturer says it needs at least XP.

My questions:

1. Is there any way to know for sure that drivers modified like this will work?

2. Could installing an improper driver actually damage a device?

I suspect the answer to number 2 is yes. I'll also note that the HP D4160 has Win98 drivers.

Edited December 4, 2010 by Steven W

[Multibooter]

I'd like to give a new HP D4260 printer to my dad, who uses 98SE and doesn't need a newer version of Windows. All he does is type with a word processing app and print the results.

I doubt that you will get it to work, don't mess up your dad's computer. This is a USB printer, without a Win98 driver. How about getting your dad a good old used printer, maybe with a parallel port?

I have the HP2605dn Color LaserJet (Win98 version) and it has worked fine for me. It has USB and Ethernet connectors and is the network printer of a mixed Win98/WinXP network. Getting it to work in this way was very complicated and time-consuming.