XP Default Printer in Registry

I have found where you can set the default printers in the registry but what I have a question about is the computer determinds which is set as a default when using the MS print migrator

Under HKEY_Current user\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\windows
sub key named Device: shows what your Current default printer is

String showin as OIT Office,winspool,Ne04:

Ok i can under stand that OIT Office is the printer name, winspool is the printer spool, but what is Ne04?

How is that determed to be numbered?

If I look at the other printers that are installed they all vary in the different numbers, which i expected, but when looking at another PC with the same printers installed all show differnt NeXX numbers.

I thought that maybe it is the order in which they are installed, but that doesnt seem to be it either. One reason was the Document Image Writer that is always on the PC has one assigned and even with a fresh install of the OS its there, with the NeXX number, but not Ne00 as you would think.

Then is there a way to force the Printer Migrator to set a printer to default?

Currently manually installing the printers or even scripting it does not keep the original default printer that was selected when making the backup.

Lastly, if i were to go in and set the printers that are installed to my settings as i see, changing the NeXX number to what I want it to be and manually set the default printer in the registry, would that cause printing for that PC the changes were made on stop working?

I know anytime you play with the registry you could be asking for trouble, but I can not figure out how to get everything uniformed and the same.

Thanks