ddjusa-
we also use the 1055cm. it looks like the driver is from August 2003 or earlier.
As I understand it, the way the resolution works on that plotter, print quality is entirely a mechanical process (draft=1 scan per inch, normal=2 scans per inch, best=4 scans per inch). The only way you get a better quality print is to take more time to do it. This means that despite what you set your AutoCAD to produce in quality, the plotter likely spit it out at whatever setting the front panel was on - sounds like it was 'draft' with the kind of speed you talk about.
Have you checked to see that your plots from AC on the plotter's draft setting are any better or worse than your AutoCAD plots? We use the draft setting for 99% of our B&W work. The only time we use "print" to the HP1055CM is from photoshop or some other postscript only program. AC & PM are always plotted for speed reasons.
RE: crashing, have you re-installed the driver? The most recent ones should be available on HP's website. Just checked last week - printing from AC & PM works for us.
Wes
