asked on

MS Windows 2003 Terminal Service Default Printer keeps changing

Operating System: MS Server 2003
Role: Member Server running Terminal Services
client os and connection: MS Windows XP Pro utilizing RDP

All my clients default printers change without user interaction. It happens every time they login into the domain through the Terminal Server.

In the past I have setup Citrix Metaframe XP and never had this issue however now I am utilizing Terminal Server without it.
How do I ensure the default printer does not change?

Thank you in advance.

dokpik

karel_jespers

The local printer settings that you define or change offline are not used by Terminal Services. you must ...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;243942
info you can find at above link

dokpik

ASKER

Does this also apply to 2003 Terminal Services?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

karel_jespers

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

SOLUTION

oBdA

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

dokpik

ASKER

This was setup during the initial setup as well as local drive mappingl; the defualt printer still changes after each session.

oBdA

Sorry, but you're not very clear here; how does the default printer change *after* a session? Which default printer changes? The one in the terminal session, or the one on the client? When does it change, and which printer is the default after the change?

dokpik

ASKER

the terminal session default printer, and yes default to main client printer is selected.

dokpik

ASKER

I selected "use connection settings from user settings" should fix the problem.... I will test it out.

oBdA

Is the main client printer mapped at all?

dokpik

ASKER

yes

karel_jespers

under terminal service configuration:
connections
rdp-tcp properties
client settings tab
windows printer mapping must be unchecked=(not disabled)

karel

dokpik

ASKER

I figured out that a local policy was contributing to the problem. Thanks oBdA and karel_jespers for you comments.

dokpik

PerOve

Hi dokpik

I have the same problem, can you specify what the solution was? What local policy did make the problem?

BRGDS
Pepper

driventechs

We have the same issue. Does anyone have the solution? Which local policy corrects this issue?

magicalcomputing

i have the same issue in a way similiar to the original poster. but i have a nt4 pdc (with the user accounts) and Windows2003std that has terminal services running on it. My users say that when they go to print, they will find that the printer that they normally set as printer default will change (this seems to occur amongst 8 users to which 3 printers are installed on the terminal server) throughout the day. Does anyone know the solution to this possible problem that i am having.

PerOve

This is how I solved the problem:

1. On the server you edit the RDP-protocol properties, and set the client to NOT default to client main printer.

When you set a default printer in a TS session, that printer will now always be the default printer, until you change it inside the session again.
(The error is due to the reason that Terminal Server does NOT choose default client printer....must be a bug....but seems to choose random printer or not a printer at all)

2. To let the users pick thier own printer I copied the Printers folders to their start menu, så thay can right click the printers and choose "Set to default"

Result: I am happy and my users are happy :-)