Mac OS 9, VPC 4, WIN 98, and a networked printer

Ever since I upgraded from VPC 3 and Win 95, I am no longer able to
print on 11 x 17 paper with my HP 4MV. I really need that ability
back.

If I upgrade to VPC 6, will I have better printer support? This
printer is networked via ethernet, but with VPC 4 I still have to
treat it like a "local" printer, and use the Laserwriter 16/600
driver, which I suspect is the source of my problem.

What I'd really like to do is buy a networkable HP designjet and be
able to use it via VPC, but I don't want to blow a couple grand on the
plotter just to find I can't use it as I want.

The Macworld forums have been dead silent on these issues for
me...please can someone give me some input?