Windows 2000 Printing for All Users Network Printer
I want to be able to add a network printer on a workstation, and have it appear for all users who log into the computer. It seems that when a printer is installed in Windows 2000 it is only useable/viewable by the person who installed it. At times in our hotel a dozen different people may use a single terminal.
Is there any way to:
A. Have an installed network shared printer span all users on a windows 2000 workstation.
B. Delete all existing printers for all users on a Windows 2000 Workstation.
I have been experimenting with con2prt which seems like a good automated solution to automate printer installs, but it still needs to be done for every user.
I have also looked into printui.dll and that seems extremely complicated.
Any new info would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Is there any way to:
A. Have an installed network shared printer span all users on a windows 2000 workstation.
B. Delete all existing printers for all users on a Windows 2000 Workstation.
I have been experimenting with con2prt which seems like a good automated solution to automate printer installs, but it still needs to be done for every user.
I have also looked into printui.dll and that seems extremely complicated.
Any new info would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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ASKER
Cool thanks for the insight. I dont really want to mess with copying profiles.
Too bad there isnt some utility out there that would enable an administrator to view and set all printer settings for all users on a workstation. Wishful Thinking i guess.
Too bad there isnt some utility out there that would enable an administrator to view and set all printer settings for all users on a workstation. Wishful Thinking i guess.
That's not really possible. As I said, those network mappings are user specific, and there's no such thing as "all users on a workstation", especially not in a domain setup. To keep control over mapped printers, simply delete them and create the necessary ones automatically in a logon script. That way, you centralize the printer management, and it keeps you from having to check individual workstations.
ASKER
Is this something that you would reccomend keeping in the login script. Will it reinstall the printers if they are already installed? Im just a little concerned about the login script taking 10 minutes to complete every time.
Thanks
Thanks
Well, if you delete them first thing in the logon script, then they will of course need to be reinstalled afterwards. ;)
But if your network is setup correctly, the impact and logon delay shouldn't be too big. If in doubt, simply assign a logon script including network printer deletion and mapping to a test user and try what happens. You could of course check if the printer is already installed and only install it if it isn't, but that doesn't save that much time.
The nice thing about doing it this way is that if your printer should die or you want to establish a different print server, all you have to do is change the mappings in the logon script, without having to bother what will happen with people who still have references to the old one.
But if your network is setup correctly, the impact and logon delay shouldn't be too big. If in doubt, simply assign a logon script including network printer deletion and mapping to a test user and try what happens. You could of course check if the printer is already installed and only install it if it isn't, but that doesn't save that much time.
The nice thing about doing it this way is that if your printer should die or you want to establish a different print server, all you have to do is change the mappings in the logon script, without having to bother what will happen with people who still have references to the old one.
ASKER
Seems to work pretty good that way. Im still working on the method of delivery for my users. I have one last question. Is there a way to set printing preferences on the server for a shared printer. Then have them carry over to the client when that printer is installed? Im almost sure that i have done this before, but it doesnt seem to be working now.
Thanks
Thanks
while logged on as local admin try to install the printer as a local printer not a network printer. Then choose to create a new port then add the ip address or the host name however your printing and install drivers etc. This should re-create the printer for all users. :)
ASKER
I found what i was looking for. Rather than setting the printer settings on the server under printer preferences. You need to get into the properties of the printer on the server. Then click the advanced tab. Then set everything under printing defaults. Then users who use this shared printer will have their settings changed.
I found a site that would really help you. I was looking to do the same thing you originally asked (setup a networked printer for all users)
GO here
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterAllUsers.htm
I just implemented and it worked. Plus it is very easy.
GO here
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterAllUsers.htm
I just implemented and it worked. Plus it is very easy.
To work with user profiles, go to control panel -> system -> user profiles.