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18 Printer basics EN
Software for Windows
When you install the software for Windows, you can directly connect the printer to a computer
using a USB or parallel cable or you can connect the printer to the network using an optional
HP Jetdirect print server card. Different software is available depending on the type of installation
you chose. See the getting started guide for installation instructions, and see the Readme for
latest software information.
The following software is available to all users of the printer, whether you connected the printer
directly to a computer using a parallel cable or USB cable, or whether you connected the printer
to the network using an HP Jetdirect print server card.
Printer drivers
A printer driver is a software component that provides access to printer features and provides the
means for the computer to communicate with the printer. Choose a printer driver based on the
way you use the printer. For help using your printer driver, see “Gaining access to printer driver
settings” on page 37.
Use the PCL 6 printer driver to take full advantage of the printer features. Unless complete
backward compatibility with previous PCL drivers or older printers is necessary, the PCL 6
driver is recommended.
Use the PCL 5c printer driver if you need print results to look consistent with those from older
HP LaserJet printers. Certain features are not available in this printer driver. (Do not use the
PCL 5c driver for this printer with older printers.)
Use the PS printer driver for compatibility with PS needs. Certain printer features are not
available in this printer driver.
The printer automatically switches between PS 3 emulation and PCL printer languages
depending on the driver you have selected.
Using Help
The printer driver has Help dialog boxes that can be activated from the Help button in the printer
driver, the F1 key on the computer keyboard, or the question mark symbol (?) in the upper-right
corner of the printer driver. These Help dialog boxes give detailed information about the specific
printer driver. Help for the printer driver is separate from the Help for your program.
HP Color LaserJet 2500 Toolbox
HP Color LaserJet 2500 Toolbox is only supported for Windows 98 and later. You must have
performed a complete software installation in order to use the HP Color LaserJet 2500 Toolbox.
The HP Color LaserJet 2500 Toolbox provides links to printer status information and help
information, such as this user guide; and tools for diagnosing and solving problems. You can also
view explanations and animations of light messages on the control panel. The HP Color LaserJet
2500 Toolbox also provides printer status and settings information from the embedded Web
server. See “Managing the printer” on page 55 for more information.