How do you add a printer to a server domain?

Ok, how exaclty is the printer setup? Is it connected to the network or is it conencted to another computer?

Thanks for responding.

First of all it's a HP LaserJet 4m with jetdirect.

It's networked through a workstation via Parallel Port.

I don't know if it has an IP address or how to get it because I can't figure out how to print the config page with no user manual available.  And HP doesn't support this printer anymore.  Our other printers have a static IP address.

Hope this helps!

Debbie

So that workstation is the printer server for the printer.

1. Make sure that workstation is a member of the domain
2. Log on as an administrator to that workstation
3. Add the printer (as a local printer)
4. Share the printer (right click printer- properties- share)
5. In that same share window, you should see a checkk box that says "list in directory"...make sure this is checked.

How do I make the workstation a member of the domain?


Thanks,

Debbie

Correction in #2: Make sure it is a domain account that you're logging into the workstation with

What OS is the workstation using?


To add a workstation to the domain for a 2000/xp machine:

1. Log in as the administrator
2. Right click my comptuer and click properties
3. Click the computer name tab
4. You should see the following option: "To rename this comptuer or join to domain" click change
5. Then click the option for domain and type the name of your domain and hit ok
6. Restart your computer

It's running Windows 98

There is not a computer name tab in My Computers in MS 98.  Do you know where I would go?


Thanks,

Debbie

Windows 98 is different....its been so long since I've used it, let me see if I can find a good article for you.

See if this article helps:

http://www.wown1.com/articles_tutorials/w2ksvw9x.html

luv2smile,

through some other research I believe now that the printer is a local printer that is shared.  Does this change your suggestions?


Thanks,

Debbie

No, I concluded that it was a local printer when you said that it was attached to a workstation. The workstation is the print server for that printer.

In order for that printer to be added in Active Directory then that workstation must be added to the domain. Right now if your workstation is not on the domain then the workstation has no connect with Active Directory so therefore there is no way the printer could be published in Active Directory.

So follow the steps I mentioned above and let me know if it works.

First of all, when I went to add the computer to the domain as administrator, the correct information is already there.  The printer is already there as well (in add printers).  The share option was not checked - so I checked it, tried to print and got the same result.    The share option was not checked before so I don't think it was necessary for it to print - when it was working.

When I tried to print from my workstation - I get lost connection to server - message.

Any more suggestions?

If you leave any more messages today, I won't be able to respond till tomorrow.  So please don't think that your efforts are going to waste.

Thanks,

Debbie

Ah.....forgot there is no option to list in directory for windows 98.

Read over this article....toward the bottom it talks about publishing a printer in AD for 98 machines.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q234619

I've got to go for now, but I'll think about your prolem some more as far as the error mesage you just got.

The printer MUST be shared....if it is not shared then no other workstations other than the one the printer is connected to will be able to print.

One other thing...please check to see if "File and printer sharing is enabled".

For 98:

Start- Settings- Control Panel- Network
Configuration tab, choose File and Print Sharing.
Make sure there is a check for "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer".
Click ok.

Then follow the above info. on publsihing in AD (since 98 won't do it automatically) and see if that works.

No luck.  The "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer" was already checked.

I published to AD.    When I attempt to print from my workstation I get the message, " There was an error writing to LPT1 for the printer.  The printer is not ready.  Make sure iti is turned on and online.  To continue printing, Click retry.  Windows will automatically retry after 5 seconds."

Yesterday I wasn't able to print from the workstation that the printer is connected to as well.

Frustrating.

Thanks,

Debbie

Ok....first get the printer working from the workstation it is connected to.  If it is not working from there, then it is useless to troubleshoot the sharing issues.

Also...."an error writing to lpt1 for the printer"...

That sounds like you have the printer setup on your machine wrong. It shouldn't be pointing to LPT1 because the printer is not attached to your computer...LPT1 is for when the comptuer is physically attached to your computer.

What OS is your workstation?

I have XP.  But I'm not hooked up to the printer.  That workstation has OS 98.



Debbie

Right, can you tell me how you added the printer to your workstation? It doesn't sound like its added correcctly if its giving you an error about LPT1.

By the way, what model printer is it and what happens when you try to print from the workstation that it is connected to?

Also, in the Properties on the workstation to which the printer is connected, it has it printing to LPT1.  Is this correct?  None of the settings would have changed on the workstation.  If it worked before it should still work.



Debbie

Yes, it should say LPT1 on the workstation that it is connected to (that is the port for a printer) , but not on your workstation because the printer is not connected to your workstation.


"If it worked before it should still work"

Let's back track here for a second. In the past, Users on other computers were able to print to this printer from their workstation correct?
Have you ever been able to print from this printer from your workstation?
Do any of the users of that workstation have admin rights where they could have changed the settings? Obviously if the printer sharing was not checked then something has changed somehow because there is no possible way to share a printer if it is not "shared".

Same error from workstation connected to printer.

Again, nothing changed on my printer set up.  It worked before.


Debbie

Yes - other users on their own workstations were printing fine without problems until last Friday afternoon.  And, Yes I was able to do so as well.  

I was out of the office when this occurred.  But, the only information I could get that might determine the cause - was that the server was restarted.  But, in my limited knowledge I wouldn't think that would cause this?

As far as I know I'm the only user here that has admin rights.   But I took over admin responsibilities only this year.


Debbie

"Same error from workstation connected to printer."

Then it is not a sharing issue.

What model of printer is it?  Are the drivers for the printer up to date?

Sorry - neglected to answer that question.  It's a HP LaserJet 4m.  Also - it's no longer supported by HP.  Then I would also assume that the driver's are as up to date as can be?

It has a JetDirect Card if that is helpful.


Debbie

Your windows 2000 server has no effect on the printer. Just for your own benefit, I would check the local settings on the workstation just to see if anyone has been added to the local admin group. It is always good to know who has rights and what kind of rights they have. I don't think that's an issue here, but it is just a tip since you're a new admin.

That's what I thought.    How do I check this on the workstation?

The status in device manager says, "working properly"

I'll do as you suggest, i.e., uninstalling the driver and reinstalling the latest driver and let you know what happens.

Thanks,

Debbie

Excuse me, I meant green light on the ready indicator and it shows and orange light on the online indicator.  This is the one that I thought was green before when Ok.


-Debbie

Did you ever figure this out?

I only work part time so I haven't been in the office till today.

Well, yes it's fixed.  However, I had help from an outside vendor that helps us with our networking when I'm not able to and the issue is critical.  I attempted to download a new driver but I didn't have access to the internet from that workstation.  It was really causing a problem here and I was kind of stuck at that point and just decided to give them a call.  Someone came when i was out of the office later last week.  I didn't quite get this, but the workstation was set up as a proxy and didn't have access to the internet.   So when that was changed, the driver was downloaded along with windows updates and it fixed the printer issues.  All in all, your advice was very helpful and much appreciated.

Thanks,

Debbie