HP LaserJet 2100 prints garbage

I'm adding this, hoping it helps someone else out -
I own an older HP laserJet 2100, connected to my home network via ethernet. Works great with other computers both Linux and Windows. I could not get my new MacBookPro to print to it. I try different print drivers, different settings on the MacBook. Nothing I tried worked... whenever I sent a print job from the MacBook to the LJ2100... all I got was pages of garbage.
Then I learned (what maybe some already knew!) that this HP LaserJet 2100 requires a PostScript Emmulation Dimm to print for Mac. The Accessory Dimm is like a memory dimm, in fact it includes 4Mb of memory on board. It is HP model# C3098A but is now obsolete and no longer available from HP. I was able to find one on eBay! I dropped that dimm in place, plugged the printer back in and printed from my MacBookPro. First shot! Perfection. Worked great.
I wished I had learned this earlier. I spent about 3 weeks trying drivers and trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.
Intel 2.16GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   HP LaserJet 2100, PostScript Dimm,
Intel 3.5GHz   Windows XP Pro   (Linux also!)

As Bruce mentioned, many HP LaserJets also use some version of the PCL language. This printer can use either the PCL 5 or PCL 6 driver. The Gutenprint drivers do support this model. I recommend downloading the latest version. There were many improvements since the v5.0.0beta-2 release that shipped with Tiger.
The pxlmono drivers also support this printer. There is a Mac package for this at OpenPrinting.
Also, you might be interested in the entry for this printer in the OpenPrinting database.
Matt
Mac Mini G4; B&W G3/300

Similar Messages

  • LaserJet 2100 Paper Feed Issue

    Our company has an HP LaserJet 2100 printer. The problem is every 10 pages or so, the paper will feed through crooked causing the print to be off center and the edge to become crinkled. I replaced the paper with a different ream and a different stock, verified there is no paper bits in the path by completely removing the Registration Assembly, etc. and cleaning the paper path.
    My question is could this be due to the rollers? I would just go ahead and replace them but it is quite a process to obtain replacement parts and if this doesn't fix it, I have wasted a lot of peoples' time and money. Any information would be appreciated, thank you.

    I am having the exact same issue. Did u ever get this figured out?

  • Connecting HP Laserjet 2100 to OS 10.4.8 Powerbook via ethernet

    I have been trying unsuccessfully to connect my Laserjet 2100 printer with ethernet card directly to my mac via an ethernet cable. I have tried adding the printer directly by going to Add Printer under System Preferences, entering the HP Jetsend Address (169.230.14.45), and using either HP Laserjet 2100 series drivers or HP laserjet 5 series (gimpprint) drivers. I still am not able to print. Can someone walk me through the process to get the two talking? Thanks in advance.

    The IP address you listed is a self-assigned address, which won't work. You need to manually assign IP addresses to both computer and Printer/Jetdirect in the same local subnet range, like 192.168.1.5 and 192.168.1.6.
    Then Add the printer using the IP > HP Jetdirect protocol. And I think HP Laserjet 6 Series works better than 5 Series (Try both).

  • Connecting LaserJet 2100 to USB

    Really like my HP 2100 Laserjet and want to use it with new HP computer. I bouught USB to parallel converter cable but can't find appropriate drive.  Suggestions please!

    I want to connect my LaserJet 2100 printer to my (relatively old, already) HP Pavilion desktop computer, but can't find a working adapter for converting the Centronix (25-pin) LaserJet output cable to a USB connector.  Did you ever find out how to do this?  I searched around at local computer stores and found nothing that works.  Does HP offer such an adapter?

  • Connect a LJ 2100 printer to a USB port on my router

    I have a LaserJet 2100 printer with a parallel port cable.  Can I use a DB-25 to USB converter to connect the printer directly to my ASUS RT-N66U router to make it a network printer?  Will I need anything else (software, firmware, or ?).

    Thanksfor the comment, sabretooth.  But are you saying that I just need to connect the printer directly to the router with a LPT to USB converter and that might (or might not) work?  No other hardware or software needed?
    The problem that I am worried about is the fact that this is an old printer and I want to connect it to a home network with two Win 7 computers and one Win 8.1 computer.  All information about networking the HP 2100 refers to Win 98 and Win 2000!

  • Photoshop CS3 printing garbage characters on HP LaserJet 1300

    After installing CS3, Photoshop prints garbage characters on my HP LaserJet 1300.
    Yes, I have tried printing as ASCII, ASCII85, Binary and JPEG - nothing helps (plus the settings won't stick even after holding down Alt and clicking the Remember button).
    The only way to print right now is to choose Save as PDF in the print dialogue, open the PDF in Adobe Reader and print from there.
    Any ideas?

    tzw - I responded about this on another forum. I talked to technical support at Adobe about this exact issue about 2 months ago - can't print photoshop CS3 on any of my three HP printers. ( I have a HP1200, an HP 2550 and a HP photosmart 7660) (CS2 works fine) They worked with me for about an hour - called me back and worked some more, and then decided to send it up to the programmers (or engineers or whatever) The programmers called me and worked with me for another hour - trying different set-ups etc., but the conclusion by them was that this was a huge problem in that there were a lot of HP printers out there - that they were going to give this their top priority - and that there would be a fix for this soon. (I have yet to see a fix.)

  • Laserjet 2100 will only print one page at a time.

    I recently acquired a second hand Laserjet 2100 Series. Installation was fine but it will only print one page at a time, I have to keep pressing the 'Go' button, which is very frustrating. The manual tells me that it is in 'Manual' mode but not how to change it. Can anyone help, please? O/S Windows 7. Thank you.

    This seems to be a commercial product. For the best chance at finding a solution I would suggest posting in the forum for HP Business Support!
    You can find the Commercial Laserjet board here:
    http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Printers-LaserJet/bd-​p/bsc-413
    Best of Luck!
    You can say thanks by clicking the Kudos Star in my post. If my post resolves your problem, please mark it as Accepted Solution so others can benefit too.

  • My printer (HP Laserjet 2100) is no longer working after upgrading

    My printer (HP Laserjet 2100) is no longer working after the upgrade; it just spits out page after page of error codes and blank pages. I've tried using both the HP driver and a generic driver. This is being accessed over a network. Has anyone encountered this problem after upgrading from Lion?

    Hi,
    Make sure to install the latest HP Printer Drivers 2.11 update as it should resolve a Postscript printing issue and I believe it will resolve the problem.
    You may do so by clicking the Apple icon and then Software Update, you should see the update listed.
    For any further issue go to Library\Printers and remove the HP folder, then download and install the following package:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL907
    Hope it helps,
    Shlomi

  • Printing Problems - HP LaserJet 2100 with USB/Parallel adapter - Print jobs 'hang'

    Hoping to get some assistance with a persistent and frustrating printing problem.
    I've got an older HP LaserJet 2100 that was working great until recently.  It doesn't have a USB port on it, so I have it connected to my iMac (21" 3.1 gHz, i7) via a USB/Parallel cable.  Up until now I have been forced to us Gutenprint (wss running 5.0.2) as the Apple provided drivers cause the printer to spit out pages upon pages of gibberish.
    Recently, when printing the document (or PDF, or whatever) gets sent to the queue, but doesn't seem to fully make it to the printer.  For lack of a better term, it 'hangs' at some percent (47%, 82% etc.) in the queue window and doesn't print.
    A few further details that are causing me extreme levels of frustration:
    I have reset the SMB and this results in being able to print one page normally, then the system returns to the problem above
    OSX can see the printer and I have deleted/added it many times
    Printing system has been reset multiple times
    On a restart, the first page that was trying to print does print out.  This sometimes happens when the log-in page appears, sometimes when I log back in to my user account.
    The printer is connected directly to my iMac and not through a USB hub.
    I have another printer (a new HP Officejet 6600) that works without a problem.
    Thanks in advance.

    This problem is most likely a deficiency in the parallel-adapter end of that cable. I'd look for another USB-parallel cable.
    There used to be a special driver that worked around the limitation of the parallel adapter "data shifter" - but it doesn't appear to be available anymore:
    www.buymelunch.org/printing/usbtb

  • I have a HP laserjet P2055dn and every 4th or 5th page prints garbage. Any ideas why?

    It doesn't matter which program I am in it still prints garbage every 4th or 5th page.

    Hi hood_winked, 
    This is a commercial line product. For the best answer to your questions you will need to repost your question to the following links. 
    http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-Support-Foru​ms/ct-p/business-support 
    http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Printers-LaserJet/bd-​p/bsc-413 
    I am an HP employee.
    Say Thanks by clicking the Kudos Star in the post that helped you.
    Please mark the post that solves your problem as "Accepted Solution"

  • LaserJet 2100 error when printing. 080 mb, or 030mb

    I have an end user in another city who is unable to print on his HP LaserJet 2100.  When he tries to send a page, the print control box says printing.. but then nothing.  I had him cycle the printer off, wait, then on, and the first time, we got "032 mb".  Had him check connections, the cycle off and on again, and this time "080" came up o nthe screen.  He says there are no lights on in/next to the bottons.
    Anyone have an idea?

    I have exactly the same problem with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 with Epson R300, only started happening since I installed EasyPrint.  I can't uninstall EasyPrint as it does not appear anywhere to uninstall it.
    Just to reiterate, try to print, set parameters, press the print button and Adobe Elements 6 closes to Windows.
    I tried unistalling the latest version of the drivers and installed the previous, did not help.
    Unistalled all Epson Drivers, unistalled Adobe Elements 6, re-booted and installed AE6 again, then original Epson drivers, didn't cure it, so I assume EasyPrint is the problem?
    AE6 and Epson r300 worked for 2 years  until I upgrade the drivers.
    How do we get Adobe to look at this?
    DavidaB

  • Is printer laserjet 2100 compatible with OS X Yosemite 10.10

    Hi, I have a HP Laserjet 21000 printer and I connect it to my Mac.  I bought a praralelle to USB cable.
    Problem: I'm trying to print from my mac and it prints many blank pages. I downloaded the driver from HP website and I am still getting the same problem. I discussed with Apple support and they suggested I contact HP. Would you have the appropriate driver.

    Sorry you are having issues installing your Laserjet 2100 to you Mac running Mac OS X 10.10.
    You might try downloading and installing the 3rd party Gutenprint driver for your printer.  You can download this driver here: http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php.
    I am an HP employee.
    Opinions expressed are mine and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of HP.
    Reminder: Please select the Accept as Solution button on the post that best answers your question. Also, you may select the Kudos button on any helpful post to give that person a quick thanks.

  • I have a printer (HP LaserJet 2100) connected via ethernet to my wireless router (Netgear) and want to use it from my MacBook Pro.

    However, the print & scan window just allows me to click on 'add', but then eveything is greyed out and the printer is not displayed.
    I was able to connect the printer without any problems to my Linux (Ubuntu) and Windows (Vista) systems and I'm used to having the least problems with Macs up to now.
    I've read about similar problems here and followed the advise, but the problem remains.
    Anyone any ideas?
    Thanks

    For you to "see" the printer in the Default view after you click the plus button to add, the printer would have to support an advertising protocol like Bonjour. For Linux and Vista, you would have added the printer by selecting a protocol and entering the IP address of the printer. You can do the same thing on the Mac. In Print & Scan, after you click the plus button to add, select the IP icon and then enter the IP address of the printer. Change the Protocol menu to HP Jetdirect-Socket (this is called RAW Port 9100 on the other OS's); leave the Queue name blank; change the Name to LaserJet 2100; leave the Location blank and select the supporting model name in the Use menu. Click to Add and then see if you can print.

  • Unable to resolve problem with HP Laserjet 2100

    I connected an HP Laserjet 2100 to my Mac Pro using a Belkin parallel to USB cable. I installed the latest Mac driver for this printer off the HP web site. The Printer Setup Utility recognized the printer and I was able to add it. So far so good. However, when I print I get something at the top of the page that says Acrobat 3 and then the title of document. Nothing else. Can someone offer an answer and a fix. Thank you.

    I'd recommend getting the HP JetDirect 600N print server module and running it as a networked printer. Not to certain that the Belkin parallel to USB is going to be well supported on Mac.

  • Laserjet 2100 TN via ethernet to MacBook Pro 2009 (Snow Leopard)

    I've been given an HP Laserjet 2100 TN. It was previously suceessfully used with a MacBook pro via an ethernet cable.
    I'm trying to set it up at home but failing to get it to connect with my MacBook. I'm using Snow Leopard.
    I've read lots of connection tips in discussion forums but not found a solution that works for me.
    I've managed to print a configuration sheet which tells me in printers HP JetSend Address.
    I've tried using this to add the printer through System Preferences but the computer is not connecting with it.
    Do I need a parallel cable or is the ethernet cable enough?
    I think I'm missing something obvious!
    Sarah

    Sorry to post in the wrong place! And thanks for your input. SCSI is a good call - the parallel cable didn't look quite right and that may explain why. Can I add a few more experiences to help explain where I'm at:
    - Snow Leopard seems to think the drivers should be included in the OS, but I don't know how to access them.
    - I found and installed a driver but couldn't find how to access it when adding the printer.
    - When I'm in ADD PRINTER
        - I guess I need an IP address - is this the one I find on printer info?
        - I saw a forum that recommended LPD as best choice for old priters so I'm using that
         - It defaults 'Print using' to Generic Postscript Printer'. I've tried changing it to Generic PCL Laser Printer as it is a laser prointer, but neither help make it work
         - Once I've setup the printer, when I run a test page the printer fails to connect and goes on hold
    I don't think I'm explaining myself very well - mainly because I'm quite out of my depth trying to did this! I can't find anything in the printer handbook which helps. Do you have any advice for a novice trying to add a printer it would be much appreciated.

Maybe you are looking for