Question

Installing printer drivers on Vista clients

Asked by: RussellGreen

I have a network with SBS 2003 as my domain controller. Unfortunately I now have 4 vista clients on my lan and I'm having problems with printer drivers.

My login script connect to network printers OK
My print server (SBS2003) have a driver installed suitable for the printers
My vista clients map to the network printer and can print OK

The problem is that even when the print drivers are not being updated or have not changed my vista clients randomly try to re-install the drivers and that requires me to go over and put in my admin password.

Is there a group policy setting I can toggle off or something I can add to my login script to make sure this nag does not happen?

russ

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Asked On
2007-12-19 at 08:20:22ID23033769
Tags

printer

,

vista

,

driver

,

install

Topics

Windows Vista

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

SBS Small Business Server

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: dreamyguyPosted on 2007-12-19 at 09:08:26ID: 20501010

Check the following group policy:

Computer Configuration / Admin Templates / Printers

&

Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Local Policies / Security Options / Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers

 

by: RussellGreenPosted on 2007-12-19 at 09:25:24ID: 20501164

Ok I've looked at these 2 group policy locations.

I've just disabled this Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Local Policies / Security Options / Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers

I'll try and do a test to see what happens but by default this setting should be disabled,

 

by: glennprattPosted on 2007-12-19 at 09:26:24ID: 20501168

What printer is it and what drivers does it use.  If possible, let us know what exactly is happening when admin credential are needed. (processing login script or just totally random?)

This maybe some bloat in the drivers like many HP drivers have and nothing to do with your configuration.  HP for example has stripped down (IT/Corporate drivers) that don't contain any 'special features' or update schemes.

I have 15 Vista Business x64 clients on SBS and have no problem with printing, so it's most likely not a Vista or SBS specific issue.

 

by: RussellGreenPosted on 2007-12-19 at 09:56:10ID: 20501423

It is a RICOH Aficio MP C2500 RPCS

The credentials are asked for during the login script when the printer are being mapped. It doesn't happen at every login thoush.   It's alsmost as the though the drivers are expriing on Vista and they are getting re-installed.

 

by: RussellGreenPosted on 2007-12-19 at 10:09:51ID: 20501506

Right I've just set those gp objects and deleted the printers and drivers from a vista client. Logged back in and got a dialog

To use the shared printer \\server\RICOH A3 BW, you need to install the printer driver on your computer. If you do not recognize or trust the name and location of the printer, do not install the driver......

If I click Instll driver I need admin username and password.

 

by: glennprattPosted on 2007-12-19 at 13:18:11ID: 20502997

Ahh, I didn't realize you were deploying the printers with a login script.  Read on if you want to try a shot in the dark.

I've been meaning to try this.  Even though you don't have Server 2003 R2 (right?), you could try using the Print Management MMC snap-in on a Vista domain member to deploy printers via GPO.  I'll try this later today and let you know what happens.  My plan is to 'borrow' a Vista machine, login as a Domain Admin and try this:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/312b10cb-73ec-40c7-a4df-63dd7248d93d1033.mspx?mfr=true

 

by: dreamyguyPosted on 2007-12-19 at 20:32:33ID: 20504848

Disable the following policy setting on the vista machine:

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Printers\Point and Print Restrictions

 

by: RussellGreenPosted on 2007-12-20 at 01:00:49ID: 20505465

I'm not on R2 but will try the artical.  How did you get on with it.

I think disabling the gpo in your last post worked.

 

by: glennprattPosted on 2007-12-20 at 06:36:17ID: 20506855

You should receive a policy error message if that was the issue.  Did you see this message?

A policy is in effect on your computer which prevents you from connecting to this print queue. Please contact your system administrator.

 

by: RussellGreenPosted on 2007-12-20 at 06:42:50ID: 20506920

no I didn't get that message

 

by: samridsPosted on 2008-02-03 at 19:47:21ID: 20811791

Confirm with dreamyguy: comment.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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