how do you add network printers to all users in xp (roaming profiles)

You can modify the Default User's NTUSER.DAT file. Then when ever a new user logs onto the machine the printers get set up automatically.

I'll post more in a few.

Ive already done this and it only loads 1 printer I have sevaral that need to be installed.  When you are adding the reg keys to the ntuser.dat files are you hand loading or creating a new hive, then saving to the ntuser.dat.

Sitting at the local machine:
In Windows Explorer goto TOOLS | FOLDER OPTIONS
Select the VIEW TAB
Click "Show hidden Files and Folders"
Remove check from "Hide extenstions for know file types"
Now
Click START | RUN | REGEDIT
Click on HKEY_USERS (so that it is active)
On the Regedit menu select FILE | Load Hive
Browse to the user's C:\Documents and Settings\Username\ntuser.dat Or the Default User's ntUser.dat file if it's a new image
Click OK

Now you have a hive under HKEY_USERS called "default"  NOT ".DEFAULT" there is a difference (notice the period in front of ".DEFAULT"!

Here is the format I use to add network printers. You'll have to modify for your circumstances:

+++++++++Cut below this line++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\Connections]

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\Connections\,,ServerName,PrinterName1 Printer Model]
"Server"="\\\\Servername"
"Provider"="win32spl.dll"


[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\Connections\,,ServerName,PrinterName2 Printer Model]
"Server"="\\\\ServerName"
"Provider"="win32spl.dll"

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\DevModePerUser]

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\DevModes2]

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\Settings]

[HKEY_USERS\Default\Printers\Settings\Wizard]
"Test Page"=dword:00000001
"From Web"=dword:00000000
"Use Existing"=dword:00000000
"Set As Default"=dword:00000000
"Driver Name"=""
"Local Printer"=dword:00000001
"Shared"=dword:00000000
"Additional Drivers"=dword:00000001
"PnP Autodetect"=dword:00000001

+++++++++++++Cut above this line save as a dot reg file that's .reg  by pasting into notebook+++++++++++++
++++++++++++++Change the names of the Server and printer (See the .reg file)+++++++++++++++++++
++++++When finished double click the .reg file+++++++++++++++++

You'll be told that your about the modify the registry.
You'll be tole that the registry was sucessfully modified.
Now click on the default key and the select FILE | EXPORT HIVE

No registry manipulation necessary; Mapping printers is a classical job for a logon script.
You can use, for example, con2prt.exe (from the Zero Administration Kit):

con2prt.exe /c \\printserver\share
("/cd \\printserver\share" to install it as default printer, /f to delete all existing connections)

How to Use Con2prt.exe to Connect to a Network Printer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=181663

Zero Administration Kit
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/Recommended/Featured/NTZAK.asp

Instead of con2prt, on W2k and XP you can use rundll32 as well:
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n \\printserver\share

to delete a connection:
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /dn /n <printer name>

Enter rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /? for a list of possible switches; note that PrintUIEntry is case sensitive.

If you want to map printers according to group membership, you can use ifmember.exe from the resource kit.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/new/ifmember-o.asp

ifmember.exe YourDomain\SomeGroup
if not errorlevel 1 goto EndSomeGroup
con2prt.exe /c \\printserver\SomeGroupPrinter01
con2prt.exe /c \\printserver\SomeGroupPrinter02
:EndSomeGroup

Its all registry manipulation. :)
Your just putting a script between the administrator and the registry.
I'm more of a hands on type so I go directly to the registry. :)

Good post though.

Yes well, Group Policies are registry manipulations, too ;)
On a personal machine, I don't mind registry manipulations either; but the "hands on" approach is doomed to fail in a real network sooner or later. Scripts are a lot easier to maintain then registry files.

You could also logon as the local administrator on a machine.. go to your printer settings at a printer create a new port choose to create a new local tcp/ip port enter the ip information for the printer and select te right drivers etc.. and there you have a local printer wich can be seen by everyone who logs onto the Windows XP. This might come in handy when you have a policy set that define that  users can't install printers.


Ralf

gemarti

In the reg file you enter in the printer model information.

I was just wondering what information is this and what will be accepted, numbers, words, a combo?

Thanks
Chris