HP Laserjet 1300 installation problem

I don't know that printer but HP's installation notes indicate it's a PostScript machine so when it doesn't work first time Desktop Printer Utility is going a stage too far…

HP recommends using Apple's own LaserWriter 8 driver, which by itself should see the printer and use its basic functions.

The HP installer adds a model-specific PostScript Printer Definition but that should be necessary only for full funtionality of all the printer's options, not for basic use or testing…

HP doesn't state - and it might be crucial - which versions of LaserWriter 8 driver is needed… some printers mind the version of LaserWriter 8 and of auxilliary files including the Extension, PrintingLib. I guess you can get that info only from HP technical and then, as here, only from a techie with specific experience.

If LaserWriter 8 can't immediately see the printer, you should shut down then physically disconnect everything but the screen and (Apple) keyboard and mouse, then restart and re-install the printer precisely according to HP's instructions which even though they seem to be uneccessary, in this case state:

Before installing the HP Printing System, HP recommends that you disable all extensions that may cause a system conflict. Some system extensions are known to cause system conflicts when installing software. Traditionally, extensions have been disabled by restarting the Macintosh while holding down the Shift key. This disables all the system extensions on the computer and allows the user to install their software without conflict. However, for most users, disabling all extensions means disabling their CD-ROM drives; which makes a CD-ROM-based installation impossible. To resolve this issue:

• For users of Mac OS 7.5 and newer, restart your computer while holding down the space bar. This will open the Extensions Manager. From the Extensions Manager you can disable all extensions except the extensions needed to use your CD-ROM. Then run the HP installation software from the CD-ROM.

If you plan to try that, please first make sure you have a working back-up of the current 9 System Folder, evn if it's only a drag-Copy…

HP says that printer is meant to be driven by Apple's LaserWriter 8.

If LaserWriter 8 can't see it then there is a hardware fault, or misconfiguration, or interference.

Physically removing all peripherals except screen and (Apple) keyboard and mouse then setting OS 9 Extensions Manager to Mac OS 9.2.2 Base should deal with misconfiguration or interference, leaving only hardware - in which case if there are no other symptoms and all your other USB devices work on the same port, the printer becomes the prime suspect.

This is pure bootable OS 9, not Classic, yes?

Another approach would be again to physically disconnect peripherals then boot from your latest 9 CD and use the Option button in the installer to Perform Clean Installation, which will give you a factory fresh System Folder alongside the current one. The current System Folder will be denatured and renamed Previous System Folder, and preserved otherwise untouched.

Reboot and the new System Folder will provide the text-book test platform. Install the printer software precisely according to HP's instructions. If the printer doesn't work on the next reboot it isn't going to without help from HP technical.

All experienced HP techs should agree that that test is sufficient to qualify the printer for return as faulty unless they have extra, specific suggestions. Specific suggestions might include, for instance, the versions of LaserWriter 8 and Printing Lib, mentioned above.

If you do talk to HP technical be sure to ask for help from someone with specific experience of that printer on Mac OS 9; it's obvious simply from the way the detailed choices in their installer refer to Classic that it was produced by a team that does not fully understand the difference between pure and Classic OS 9, which may be vital.

Yes, the HP Laserjet 1300 should appear in the Chooser under Laserwriter without any installtion of drivers or other software… does it not say that in the notes with the stuff you downloaded from HP's website?

Then I don't know what you're downloading…

I went to HP.com and searched for LaserJet 1300, whose results included a
Software & driver downloads link which led to Download drivers and software with a specific Mac OS link that includes "hp LaserJet 1300 printing software and utility" which downloads lj1300macos9 Xen.sit

Stuffit turns that into "hp LaserJet Installer" which should run in X or 9 and launch an installer whose control pane includes "hp Laserjet Printing help"…

Letting that run should produce both the Installation Notes I quoted and an HP Installer Log File…

Was that not what you got?

That seems to be the right software set but it doesn't have any drivers - and going right back to the begining though it's no part of this ttest, which version of Desktop Printer Utility are you using that it could see any printer without a driver, please?

Glad we're on the same page, then…

Basically, that printer works off the LaserWriter 8 driver which means nothing from HP should be needed to test it, nor to use its basic functions. The HP PPD might be needed for any number of special features we don't know about…

That being the case, HP might accept LaserWriter 8 not being able to see it as sufficient test, or might still insist on the HP software being installed.

Using Desktop Printer Utility would make a test less, not more certain since it isn't necessary and introduces extra variables.

You might first prove that another printer works on the same connection and with the same driver, but unless there's some reason to believe that's not the case it should work from LaserWriter 8 right out of the box and HP should accept that as a test, provided you're running either on a healthy OS 9 with Extensions Manager to Mac OS 9.2.2 Base, or on a brand new Clean System.