AutoCAD can print to already configured Windows printers. They show up wither with a name or a UNC path in the printer pulldown of the plot dialog box.
AutoCAD can also create a *.PC3 (plotter configuration file) that often gives more options. These *.PC3 can be a wrapper and attach to existing Windows drivers or use AutoCADF's own built in Heidi engine based ADI drivers which is what I was refering to.
To create one of these *.PC3 files, go to Control Panel and look for the "Autodesk Plotter Manager" link (this can also be found in different locations within AutoCAD as well). When you run the wizard, a dialog will be shown as in the attached image.
The top option "My Computer" will create a *.PC3 file based on AutoCAD's own built in drivers. You can select just about any of the HP Design Jet drivers even if your particular model Design Jet isn't listed as they all typically support HPGL/2. Try printing with one of these drivers and see of it doesn't help with your issues. Using AutoCAD's own build in driver engine typically gives better performance (speed) than using the Windows drivers.
If that doesn't work, try creating a *.PC3 configuration that wraps around a Windows driver (a cross between the two) by using either the middle or bottom option of the attached image.
AutoCAD also has it's own built in printer drivers whichIt allso has
