2003 print server - should I use a use kernel mode driver?

[DL Meade]

What are the real-world consequences of enabling kernel mode drivers on a
2003 print server?

I know how to do it I'm just wondering if it will cause problems.

Without going into details - the user mode drivers for the HP Color LaserJet
8500N provided by MS don't work well. We have three of these printers
attached to a 2000 server and need to move them to 2003 server.

MS Says that its a bad idea to use kernel-mode drivers. There are no
drivers from HP other than the kernel mode one we have been using on 2000
server (v4.3 dated 10-28-98). I've got 20 printers on this print server, 3
of which are this 8500N.

-DL

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Please ask this in the Servers newsgroup... but yes, generally it's a bad
idea.

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

when kernel mode drivers crash, you get a blue screen of death even in 2003
server.
But if you use well tested driver it should work. NT4-Servers live a long
time with
kernel mode drivers.
We use a kernel mode driver for NT4->2003 Server without blue screens, but
with
layout problems.

Dieter