HP Deskjet 400 (US)DeskJet 400 Series User's Guide - C2642-90043 - Page 22

Printing from DOS What is a printer driver? If you use DOS software programs (whether or not they are running within Microsoft Windows), you need a specific printer driver for each DOS program in order to print to your HP DeskJet 400 series printer. A printer driver is software that allows you to access your printer's features from within your software program's print menus or selections. Why do I need to contact the software manufacturer? DOS software manufacturers provide and update printer drivers for their DOS software programs. In DOS, each program is developed independently under different development standards. Therefore, the software manufacturer is able to tailor the printer driver to work specifically with their software program. The software manufacturer uses HP's printer language, called PCL, to develop printer drivers for HP DeskJet printers. Therefore, you can sometimes use a different HP DeskJet printer driver to print. However, the best driver to use is the one designed specifically for the HP DeskJet 400 series printer. Some drivers are simply renamed from previous drivers. Why isn't there a printer driver for my brand new printer? The software industry is moving toward development of individual software programs under a common set of development standards. The most common standard is Microsoft Windows. HP uses this common development standard to supply a printer driver for use with all Microsoft Windows compatible software programs. This is the reason that fewer DOS printer drivers are being developed over time. If there is not a DOS printer driver for my new printer, is there another printer driver I can use instead? Selecting a printer driver for the HP DeskJet 400 series printer in each DOS software program that you use ensures the best support for your printer. If there is not a printer driver available within your program for the HP DeskJet 400 series printer, select one of the following drivers. Printer Driver HP DeskJet 500C/540 HP DeskJet 340/320/310 HP DeskJet Portable HP DeskJet 520/510 HP DeskJet 560C/550C HP DeskJet 500/PLUS/HP DeskJet Level of Support Most black or color printing features Most black or color printing features Most black printing features Most black printing features Most black printing features Some black printing features How do I install DOS printer drivers? To install the DOS drivers listed in this document, follow the instructions supplied by the software manufacturer. If you have questions or concerns about the performance of your printer when using one of these drivers, contact the software manufacturer. 20