From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general


My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or
just get a replacement.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer
X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

tschus
pyotr
--
APL is a mistake, carried through to perfection. It is the language of the future for the programming techniques of the past: it creates a new generation of coding bums.
-- Edsger W. Dijkstra, SIGPLAN Notices, Volume 17, Number 5
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or just
get a replacement.

Not sure how you will piece out the parts for the printer. I supposed
you could find as-is same-model printers for sale at eBay sold for
"parts only", and hope the parts you need for your printer are not those
broken in the as-is printer. Typically when a printer breaks, users buy
a new printer.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer X
continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

Only if you want wireless printing from your phone.

I've never set up my wifi-capable printer. Instead of using wifi from
printer to cable modem, and electing to print from my phone across the
Internet to my printer at home, I just save a copy of a doc into my
OneDrive or Google Drive on my phone to access it later on my desktop PC
in OneDrive or Google Drive. Then print the doc from my desktop PC to
the USB-attached printer.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible with
Windows 7 Pro?

Those printers. You mentioned only one: Canon [Pixma] MX870.

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-mx870

Drivers for Windows 7 are listed there, along with a multitude of
freebie software.
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

On Wed, 1/14/2026 1:36 PM, pyotr filipivich wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or
just get a replacement.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer
X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

tschus
pyotr

The thing is an Easybake oven :-) Not a puny insignificant printer.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/printers/canon_pixmamx870/overview

8.5x11 Photo Printer accepting fancy stock, has scanner.
Inks 5 (Pigment Black, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/printers/canon_pixmamx870/specifications

*******

This one lists Win7. Scanner is just a place-holder type (not a high resolution).

https://shop.canon.ca/en_ca/p/pixma-g620

A bit of a jumble. Select a URL for your location (printer offers can vary from one country to the next -- including gray market stuff that might appear
in stores as part of a clearance effort). The last printer I bought, they were stacked like watermelon on the floor in a store :-) Likely thrown in the trash when they didn't sell (cheap one). I use that printer via USB. When they're cheap enough,
they're never going back to the manufacturer.

https://shop.canon.ca/en_ca/printers/home-and-photo-printers

And they do make silly-expensive ones. This accepts very large stock,
to make pictures to hang in the livingroom. I can just imagine what a new
set of print heads would cost. It has a giant array of nozzles. And 4 picoliters
a pop, so the nozzles don't "save on ink". And yes, it too supports your OS.

https://www.amazon.ca/Canon-imagePROGRAF-PRO-1100-Professional-Wireless/dp/B0DDVMX94H

https://www.canon.ca/en/product?name=imagePROGRAF_PRO-1100&category=/en/products/Printers/Desktop

Number of Nozzles 1,536 Nozzles x 12 Inks [step back so you won't get splashed]

Hi-Speed USB, Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet 10 / 1000

Windows: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1,
Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2008 R2 SP1

Mac: mac OS v14 rCo macOS v11.7.10

Mobile Operating Systems: iOS, Android, ChromeOS

Paul


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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

On 2026/1/14 18:36:31, pyotr filipivich wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or
just get a replacement.

:-(

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer
X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

tschus
pyotr

Assuming those last two paragraphs mean you're looking at replacements,
my move would be:

For any candidate: go to the manufacturer's website, not any seller's.
Select "support" or similar. Look for "drivers". They _should_ be listed
by operating system - in fact the website may determine (via your
browser) what OS you're using and show you those ones first (or only).

It may be worth trying the manufacturer's website for various countries
- your own, USA, UK, and maybe Taiwan or wherever the printer is
actually made.

If it becomes too much effort finding the appropriate driver - give up
on that model; life's too short!

Also, depending on how much printing you do, consider a laser printer -
if you don't do a lot, they're a lot cheaper to run, as the print heads/cartridges don't dry out. Also, depending on the area you live in, consider a second-hand laser, including from a company (I specify area
as you might have to go get it - they tend to be big, so the sellers
either won't be willing to send, or it'll cost a lot to do so.) I gave
up on ink printers years ago. A second-hand one is more likely to work
with Windows 7 - though still check for drivers of course. An
alternative may be a monochrome laser for most of your printing (do you
really need colour for most of it?), with a colour - even a cheap one -
if you don't do much that actually needs it (even consider using a local
print shop if there is one in your area - the costs need careful looking).

FWIW mine is a humungous beast - about a two foot cube, and I'm not sure
I could now safely lift it! - I bought for 25 pounds a few years ago; a
Samsung CLP-775; does double-sided, even booklets (though that's a
function of the driver of course) - I think I've bought two toner
cartridges (15-25 pounds), though not fitted the second one yet. But I
do very little printing.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

It's a pity, some of the people in my k/f have interesting things to
say apart from trumpeting their politics. Alas, I don't see those
things. - Snipe in eternal-september.talk, 2025-12-7
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> on Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:04:09 -0600 typed in alt.windows7.general the following:

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or just
get a replacement.

Not sure how you will piece out the parts for the printer. I supposed
you could find as-is same-model printers for sale at eBay sold for
"parts only", and hope the parts you need for your printer are not those >broken in the as-is printer. Typically when a printer breaks, users buy
a new printer.

Sometimes (as this case) a part (the print head) has failed, and
can be replaced. OTOH, what else is waiting to fail?

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer X
continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

Only if you want wireless printing from your phone.

I don't so, that is a reassurance.

I've never set up my wifi-capable printer. Instead of using wifi from >printer to cable modem, and electing to print from my phone across the >Internet to my printer at home, I just save a copy of a doc into my
OneDrive or Google Drive on my phone to access it later on my desktop PC
in OneDrive or Google Drive. Then print the doc from my desktop PC to
the USB-attached printer.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible with
Windows 7 Pro?

Those printers. You mentioned only one: Canon [Pixma] MX870.

That is the one I have. I can find a refurbished one for $600,
which is a lot considering this one was ~15 at Goodwill.

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-mx870

Drivers for Windows 7 are listed there, along with a multitude of
freebie software.

Yeah, I should have been more clear. I'm wondering about the
models (Canon or otherwise) currently in production. I may be having
to bite the bullet and replace this one with a New In Box Printer.
--
pyotr filipivich
This Week's Panel: Us & Them - Eliminating Them.
Next Month's Panel: Having eliminated the old Them(tm)
Selecting who insufficiently Woke(tm) as to serve as the new Them(tm)
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

"J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> on Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:46:41 +0000
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:

Also, depending on how much printing you do, consider a laser printer -
if you don't do a lot, they're a lot cheaper to run, as the print >heads/cartridges don't dry out. Also, depending on the area you live in, >consider a second-hand laser, including from a company (I specify area
as you might have to go get it - they tend to be big, so the sellers
either won't be willing to send, or it'll cost a lot to do so.) I gave
up on ink printers years ago. A second-hand one is more likely to work
with Windows 7 - though still check for drivers of course. An
alternative may be a monochrome laser for most of your printing (do you >really need colour for most of it?), with a colour - even a cheap one -
if you don't do much that actually needs it (even consider using a local >print shop if there is one in your area - the costs need careful looking).

My son-in-law recommended a B&W laser printer for the usual "run
off a copy" and a color inkjet for the colored printouts.

FWIW mine is a humungous beast - about a two foot cube, and I'm not sure
I could now safely lift it! - I bought for 25 pounds a few years ago;

Yeah, I've consider that issue too. We're crammed into a 'small'
flat, which would be so small if we got rid of a metric buttload of
stuff.
--
pyotr filipivich
This Week's Panel: Us & Them - Eliminating Them.
Next Month's Panel: Having eliminated the old Them(tm)
Selecting who insufficiently Woke(tm) as to serve as the new Them(tm)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

Yeah, I should have been more clear. I'm wondering about the
models (Canon or otherwise) currently in production. I may be having
to bite the bullet and replace this one with a New In Box Printer.

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/printers

Unfortunately, among the other search criteria (checkboxes) there is not
one to select an OS.

https://www.usa.canon.com/contact-us/sales-contact-us

Not sure they will take the time to compile a list of their printers
which have drivers for Windows 7. Typically you select the criteria you
want in a printer to narrow the search results, and then have to pick
those you like most to then see what drivers they offer.
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

On 2026/1/17 4:31:0, pyotr filipivich wrote:

"J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> on Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:46:41 +0000
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:

Also, depending on how much printing you do, consider a laser printer -

[]

My son-in-law recommended a B&W laser printer for the usual "run
off a copy" and a color inkjet for the colored printouts.

FWIW mine is a humungous beast - about a two foot cube, and I'm not sure
I could now safely lift it! - I bought for 25 pounds a few years ago;

Yeah, I've consider that issue too. We're crammed into a 'small'
flat, which would be so small if we got rid of a metric buttload of
stuff.

Well, they don't _have_ to be huge! Modern CLPs are quite small, though
do tend to be bigger than inkjet ones. Remember you'd be saving the
space from your present printer.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"Look, if it'll help you to do what I tell you, baby, imagine that I've
got a blaster ray in my hand." "Uh - you _have_ got a blaster ray in
your hand." "So you shouldn't have to tax your imagination too hard."
(Link episode)
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

On Sat, 1/17/2026 2:23 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/1/17 4:31:0, pyotr filipivich wrote:

"J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> on Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:46:41 +0000
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:

Also, depending on how much printing you do, consider a laser printer -

[]

My son-in-law recommended a B&W laser printer for the usual "run
off a copy" and a color inkjet for the colored printouts.

FWIW mine is a humungous beast - about a two foot cube, and I'm not sure >>> I could now safely lift it! - I bought for 25 pounds a few years ago;

Yeah, I've consider that issue too. We're crammed into a 'small'
flat, which would be so small if we got rid of a metric buttload of
stuff.

Well, they don't _have_ to be huge! Modern CLPs are quite small, though
do tend to be bigger than inkjet ones. Remember you'd be saving the
space from your present printer.

I don't think there is such a thing as an ideal printer -- if
there was, we would all be using it.

If you want quality, there's a price to pay.

If you want cheap per-sheet costs, you might be
looking at two devices (one for quantity, one for
quality).

A color laser does not particularly saturate. Even an inkjet,
it really needs coated media to make "nice" output. And as
the market goes, an up-market AIO printer (with either a
real scanner or a place-holder scanner similar to a
Canon LIDE scanner), you need that big of a case to
get room to store ink (tanks).

It all depends on your print requirements (volume cost quality),
as to which machine makes sense. And for a lot of years,
no printer was the right printer for me. I have one right now
and it is in the basement, ready to come upstairs for a print job.
and that one has no superlatives at all. The scanner is a place-holder
type, just as the webcam in most laptops "fills the hole at the top
of the panel and keeps dust from getting in" :-/ That kind of cheap.

Paul

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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or just get a replacement.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer
X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

As to drivers: Unless the printer is a very exotic one - i.e. can also
make coffee and make the bed - any 'modern' (read: made in/since the 90s) should handle PCL (Printer Command Language) at some reasonable level,
probably PCL 5 or PCL 6. And Windows 7 has drivers for PCL (as has *any*
OS since MS-DOS/PC DOS).

After all, PCL [1] exists for over 4 decades and has been the de facto industry standard since some three and a half decade.

So look at any and all printers. When you find one to your liking,
check its specs/manual for PCL compatibility. If it doesn't mention PCL,
skip that brand and report it here, so people know what not to buy! :-)

[1] 'Printer Command Language' <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer_Command_Language>
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or
just get a replacement.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer
X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

As to drivers: Unless the printer is a very exotic one - i.e. can also
make coffee and make the bed - any 'modern' (read: made in/since the 90s) should handle PCL (Printer Command Language) at some reasonable level, probably PCL 5 or PCL 6. And Windows 7 has drivers for PCL (as has *any*
OS since MS-DOS/PC DOS).

After all, PCL [1] exists for over 4 decades and has been the de facto industry standard since some three and a half decade.

So look at any and all printers. When you find one to your liking,
check its specs/manual for PCL compatibility. If it doesn't mention PCL,
skip that brand and report it here, so people know what not to buy! :-)

[1] 'Printer Command Language' <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer_Command_Language>

PCL has been so pervasive for so long that printer specs and manuals may
not even mention it. For example, my Canon TS6420's manual says nothing
about PCL (Printer Command/Control Language). Its specs and FAQ don't
mention it, either.

Zebra Printers Are Not PCL or PostScript File Compatible https://support-new.zebra.com/article/Zebra-Printers-are-not-PCL-or-Postscript-file-compatible
"There is no direct way to print PCL or PostScript output to a Zebra
printer, and you cannot convert PCL or PostScript to a Zebra-compatible format."
You need their EPL driver to interface with their printer.

EPL2 Command Information and Details https://support-new.zebra.com/article/EPL2-Command-Information-and-Details

EPL Programming Guide https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/support-dam/en/documentation/unrestricted/guide/software/epl2-pm-en.pdf

Guess not all printers support PCL. Some are page-mode printers that
use EPL (Eltron Programming Language) or ZPL (Zebra Programming
Language). Zebra merged with Eltron in 1998. Guess they decided they
knew a better printer language.

https://www.thezcorner.com/printers/languages/printers-eltron-programming-language-epl
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From Newsgroup: alt.windows7.general

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

pyotr filipivich <phamp@mindspring.com> wrote:

My Canon Mx870 is at the point of replacing it piece by piece, or >> just get a replacement.

The first issue I have is that I keep seeing comments how Printer >> X continues the trend of requiring the App be install the app on your
phone to get it to work.

The second is like unto it: are those printers also compatible
with Windows 7 Pro?

As to drivers: Unless the printer is a very exotic one - i.e. can also make coffee and make the bed - any 'modern' (read: made in/since the 90s) should handle PCL (Printer Command Language) at some reasonable level, probably PCL 5 or PCL 6. And Windows 7 has drivers for PCL (as has *any*
OS since MS-DOS/PC DOS).

After all, PCL [1] exists for over 4 decades and has been the de facto industry standard since some three and a half decade.

So look at any and all printers. When you find one to your liking,
check its specs/manual for PCL compatibility. If it doesn't mention PCL, skip that brand and report it here, so people know what not to buy! :-)

[1] 'Printer Command Language' <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer_Command_Language>

PCL has been so pervasive for so long that printer specs and manuals may
not even mention it. For example, my Canon TS6420's manual says nothing about PCL (Printer Command/Control Language). Its specs and FAQ don't mention it, either.

That's bad/a_pity. A Google search also gives no definate answer. It
says that a PCL driver is not needed, but not whether or not the Canon
TS6420 can use/handle PCL.

As a test case, it would be interesting to check if it does work with
a PCL driver (on any Windows version).

[...]

Guess not all printers support PCL. Some are page-mode printers that
use EPL (Eltron Programming Language) or ZPL (Zebra Programming
Language). Zebra merged with Eltron in 1998. Guess they decided they
knew a better printer language.

https://www.thezcorner.com/printers/languages/printers-eltron-programming-language-epl

Never heard of Zebra. Heard of Eltron (cheap electronics), but not as
a printer company.

Anyway, for (non-laser) page-mode printers, it probably makes sense.
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