My HP 4L printer works with one of my pcs but stopped working with
another.  I managed to rectify the problem temporarily, maybe by w98
re-install.  My new hp laptop won't work the hp4L either.  The LPT1
port is there but with my pc it disappears when bios is not set  to
'PNP aware OS'.  Originally with the first install of w98 over 3.1
bios was not set pnp aware, LPT1 was there and the printer worked
fine.  I have an idea what it might, what do u think?

Since the problem seams to involve two computers  and one is a new Hp
computer, I would think that the problem is more related to the
Printer or its cable.
Is this an expensive printer or some thing you could replace for very little.

The printer works fine with the older pcs.  Windows xp has a driver
for HP 4L but it doesn't work.  I think no one at microsoft really
understands how windows works anymore, neither bill nor his non entity
successor are up to sorting the mess, hence the 270mb sp2 update!  I
think the easiest thing since the old pc has a floppy and the laptop
usb but both a modem is email docs, download to the old!!!!