I read the thread Widows 7 printer HP deskjet 855c driver about possible installation of HP855c drivers onto Windows 7 x64 from "Windows Server 2003 x64" CD but I didn't have enough luck to succeed with doing it on my laptop. That thread appears to be dead now as it is marked "Answered", so I'm asking for help here. I have Toshiba Satellite P500 with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (http://i55.tinypic.com/2zgth6v.jpg).
Let me tell you first that I don't have access to Windows Server 2003 x64 or XP Pro 64 CD's. However I did some research online, which eventually forced me to learn about the "file sharing". After extensive search I was able to get the copies of AMD64 folders from Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 with SP2 andXP Pro 64. The reason that I went also after XP Pro was because I thought that the extra wording "R2 Standard x64 with SP2" in description of "Windows Server 2003" did not reflect the exact name provided by poster Alan. I couldn't find just "Windows Server 2003 x64" (does it matter?).
Anyway, I followed first the drill with running "printui /s /t2" and disabling UAC, and then in both cases I was able to locate theNTPRINT.INF file (http://oi51.tinypic.com/9qwvt2.jpg - this image is from XP Pro AMD64 folder) but each time when I attempted to install the driver, I got the same message stating:
"The folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software drive for your device. If the folder contains the driver, make sure it's designed to work with Windows for x64-based systems." (http://oi53.tinypic.com/27yveiw.jpg)
Why aren't there x64 drivers?
During several installation attempts I had the printer connected to or disconnected from my laptop. It didn't make any difference. I must add that for this purpose I had to use different cable than the original one designated only for the Parallel port in my old desktop with Windows XP. My new laptop with Windows 7 x64 came only with 3 USB ports (plus 1 HDMI and 1 Serial). Because of that situation I bought in advance a new printer cable called “USB to 36-pin Parallel Port Adapter Cable” (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A8I75E). I'm not sure, if it will work until I can install the printer. Besides, nobody talked about this issue yet. I was also playing with the port choices in "Add printer" step; changing from default LPT1 to USB001 with the same negative results.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I was very hopeful after reading positive "case closed" notes there.Can anyone help me here, maybe by making the necessary files available for download? I'm willing to pay for such assistance or make a donation, if necessary. Seriously. Judging by the large number of views of the original thread, one could assume that there is a potential demand for such service. It would be more human to pay few bucks for a few driver files than $900 for the whole Windows Server 2003 x64 CD, no? Can Microsoft accomodate me/us, please? :)
Andrew*
P.S. I was advised to come for help here from http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/windows-7-x64-cant-readinstall-any-printer-drivers/4e7d06e1-33a5-4597-be70-4fdc087a63a7?msgId=9a045994-0d31-4d40-b17d-dba372393ee4