HP 5200 pagewide XL driver issues

[sturner7277]

I thought there was a subforum for plotters.....

We have recently received this disappointment of a plotter. Aside from the hardware issues I need a fix for the software. This plotter is networked and shared on a Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2012 R2 servers using the latest HP HPGL2 driver (61.2201.0.150) and the latest firmware (TYPH_12_24_41.1). We have two of these plotters in different offices locations. Majority of our plotting is from AutoCAD 2024 or Bluebeam Review 21. Workstations are running Windows 11.

Problem one, is random scaling or stretching of plots. This includes autorotation failing, it can happen at the beginning or in the middle of a run. This is typically seen when sending multi-page PDF's but will happen with DWG's. No scaling is applied and autorotation is enabled in the print driver and the plotter.

Problem two, is plots stuck in the print queue, either on the users computer or having to remove the print job from the server. Rebooting the users computers can clean out their queue. This seems to be from larger print jobs, but that is not a given.

Problem three, is when creating custom PC3's for AutoCAD the option to choose a page size will be disabled in the AutoCAD plot dialog. I have found a fix where you click the set defaults button on the PC3 editor. That will 'fix' whatever is happening and reduces the file size down by 2kb. I have tried all of the HPGL2 drivers with the same results. Even a few from the 5000 series with no luck.

Searching the internet gives very few results, I find that odd.

[paullimapa]

You can try installing the print drivers on a dedicated print server to see if that might clear up the print que backlog.

Sounds like this has also been a problem once you received this plotter. I assume it's either refurbished or used since I don't think HP sells these any more. But if they do, I would go directly to them for tech support on this. 

Also if you've not ever got this to work consistently with AutoCAD 2024 & Windows 11 then you're out of luck.

I'm especially shocked to hear that you even have trouble printing multipage pdf documents to it which in this case has nothing to do with AutoCAD.

[sturner7277]

@paullimapa You are thinking of the smaller format pagewide. Which HP does not sell anymore, in their infinite wisdum. They named the large format plotter the same just with an XL in the name.

[pendean]

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@sturner7277 wrote:

I thought there was a subforum for plotters.....

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That's hosted by HP for your #1 and #2, ask over there, I suspect you need a service and setup assistance call

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/DesignJet-Large-Format-Printers-Digital-Press/bd-p/DesignJet-LargeForm... 

As for #3, create a PC3 file if at the same time you wish to always change paper sizes, have you ever done that before with other printers and plotters and it worked? What was your exact method then and here now?

[paullimapa]

If it's new then go after HP tech support since it should still be under warranty. Go through all the troubleshooting channels. It's possible that you got a lemon in which case you want to replace it with another that works.