How do i get the driver to use an HP laserjet 5mp with my Mac that runs Lion?

Question

how do i get the driver to use an HP laserjet 5mp with my Mac that runs Lion?  I'm told by HP to get it through Apple updates but it doesn't show up. 

Answer 1

The term "server", while technically correct, is misleading.  A print server takes the low-level protocol spoken by a printer and serves it over a higher-level protocol.  For example, parallel printer port (a.k.a. Centronics or IEEE 1284) and serve it over USB.  Or parallel or USB and serve it over Ethernet with a variety of printing protocols (lpr/lpd protocol, JetDirect protocol, port 9100 protocol, the names are confusing).
In reality, a print server looks nothing like what we usually associate with "server" (which is typically a biggish computer).  Instead they usually look like adapter plugs or even adapter cables, or like a little network hub (just with printer connectors instead of network connectors).
Here are a few examples (I'll use Amazon as a guide book, without implying that I endorse them).  Let's start with USB to parallel; it seems they tend to look like adapter cables.  Here is one that takes a USB plug (male) and creates a female port that you can plug your regular old printer cable in: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-To-Go-16899-IEEE-1284/dp/B000UX21PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U TF8&qid=1333640548&sr=8-1
And here is one that goes from a USB plug directly into the printer: http://www.amazon.com/Parallel-Printer-Adapter-Connect-parallel/dp/B000BV8604/re f=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1333640548&sr=8-4 replacing the old printer cable.
Then there are (really cheap) Ethernet to printer adapters.  Here is one that you put into the printer (warning, the plastic cover will probably not fit afterwards): http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC-TL-PS110P-Single-Parall/dp/B003CFATR4/ref=sr_1_ 11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333640755&sr=1-11 By the way, I really don't like this type, I always find them unreliable.  But they are cheap.
The ones I like look more like a network hub. Here is the NetGear PS110: http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-PS110-parallel-Ethernet-100Base-TX/dp/B0002AF9JU/r ef=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333640860&sr=8-2
And the HP external JetDirect: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/18972-18972-236253-34214-64302-273 16.html?dnr=1&jumpid=reg_r1002_usenc-001&lang=en&cc=us (I think this is the best one of the lot).  Both of those you put next to the printer, use your existing parallel printer cable, and connect them to the network.  Don't get scared by the astronomical price of the HP; it's commonly available used.
There are even some wireless models around.  In theory, you might be able to use a parallel-to-USB adapter cable and then plug the USB cable into your trusty Apple Airport (as a good Apple fanboy or fangirl you've bought an Airport, right?), but I don't know whether that will work.  With the HP JetDirect box I'm quite certain that it will work (but it's old-fashioned, doesn't come in white, doesn't do wireless, and is not the slightest bit hip or cool).