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Printer Deployment (GPO) Mixed environment
I have several servers running various O/S's. My domain controller is running Windows Server 2003 R2, and another server I am using as a printer server is running Windows Server 2008 R2. Will I be able to us GPO to deploy the printers?
ASKER
I am on the 2008 R2 Print Server computer. I am in Server Manager, Print and Document Services, Print Management. I click on Printers and have a list of available printers. I have installed drivers for 32 and 54 bit O/S. I right click on a printer, and select Deploy with Group Policy. I browse through my local tree, and select Default Domain Policy, just to keep things simple. I select per machine deployment, click on Add.Then click on Apply. Error message occurs.
One or multiple errors have occurred during the execution of a deploy or remove printer connection operation.
Deploying printer connection "\\OSBAS01\Xerox Color Ex 560" to per machine GPO "Default Domin Policy" failed. The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.
Sorry if this sounds like a simple problem, I'm still converting over from Novell :)
One or multiple errors have occurred during the execution of a deploy or remove printer connection operation.
Deploying printer connection "\\OSBAS01\Xerox Color Ex 560" to per machine GPO "Default Domin Policy" failed. The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.
Sorry if this sounds like a simple problem, I'm still converting over from Novell :)
don't do that.
Before you do the process you mentioned, create empty group policy, call it Printers or something.
Before you do the process you mentioned, create empty group policy, call it Printers or something.
ASKER
OK - Created Printer Deployment.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Just take a look & compare with your current settings & then see how it goes.
ASKER
Thanks, looks like a good resource. Day is drawing to a close, and need to attend to other tasks. Will try later and report tomorrow.
sure no problem, it's already midnight here ;)
ASKER
Ackles: Well, thanks to your guidance, and me logging in properly (I though I logged into the Domain - WRONG! Was only logged in to the machine), I've been able to create a deployment in a GPO. Now phase 2 is for me to test the deployment. Should I award points now, and open up another request for help if needed?
Don't award the points till you get the desired result.
I don't know about others, but this is hobby for me & what matters is that your issue is resolved as you want. Either I help you or someone else helps you.
So please tell, what is not done & we do it.
Only thing you can do to help urself is respond promptly.
A
I don't know about others, but this is hobby for me & what matters is that your issue is resolved as you want. Either I help you or someone else helps you.
So please tell, what is not done & we do it.
Only thing you can do to help urself is respond promptly.
A
ASKER
OK - phase 2 commences tomorrow. G'night or possibly in your case g'morning!!
Listen, can you please tell what is the OS of your Clients?
ASKER
I have mix of XP (32 bit) and Win 7 (64 bit). About a 50-50 split right now. I included the PushPrinterConnections in the GPO.
Great, let's take it tomorrow, have a great evening.
ASKER
OK! You too.
ASKER
Having some problems deploying, so I'm taking a few steps back. What is better - deploy by user or by machine. Pros/Cons?
If you user GPP for User - Can specify default printer
BUT they can change it on the fly, however it will come back after GP reaches refresh cycle.
Computer using policy will always stay & for users it will be greyed out.
BUT they can change it on the fly, however it will come back after GP reaches refresh cycle.
Computer using policy will always stay & for users it will be greyed out.
ASKER
Wow, Ackles . . . don't you ever sleep? Thanks-I'll let you know how things progress throughout the day/night.
ha ha ha , I do but it depends where you are geographically?
ASKER
USA - Ohio. You?
Zurich - Switzerland.
ASKER
OK - works well for Win 7 deployments, not so good for Win XP 32 bit. How should I troubleshoot?
ASKER
and I do have the pushprinter..... in the GPO
I can come back to you in hour or so, m out.
Check the event log in the mean time
Check the event log in the mean time
ASKER
OK thanks!
ASKER
Event Viewer on target Win XP Machine:
Application
Source: UserInit
Could not execute the following script PushPrinterConnections.exe
Application
Source: UserInit
Could not execute the following script PushPrinterConnections.exe
ASKER
Here's something interesting that I hadn't seen anywhere else:
In the case of SBS 2008 which is 64bit, or Windows Server 2008 x64, when deploying printers to Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Pro 32bit OSs, the PushPrinterConnections.exe application is a 64bit version out of the box.
You will need to obtain a 32bit version of the utility from a Windows Server 2008 x86 OS. If installed, very simple: Copy it from the System32 directory.If none are installed, you will need the original WIM image and the Windows Automated Installation Kit installed on a workstation so you can mount the WIM image and copy the utility out.
In the case of SBS 2008 which is 64bit, or Windows Server 2008 x64, when deploying printers to Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Pro 32bit OSs, the PushPrinterConnections.exe
You will need to obtain a 32bit version of the utility from a Windows Server 2008 x86 OS. If installed, very simple: Copy it from the System32 directory.If none are installed, you will need the original WIM image and the Windows Automated Installation Kit installed on a workstation so you can mount the WIM image and copy the utility out.
No harm in trying, the point is to make it work.
ASKER
Woo-hoo!!! I think that did it.
I found the i386 folder on my 2003 R2 server. The version stamp on the .exe was 5.xx instead of 6.xx
Used that in my script as part of the deployment, and voila.
Let me check a few other machines (Win 7-64 and Win XP-32) before I pop the cork on the champagne.
I found the i386 folder on my 2003 R2 server. The version stamp on the .exe was 5.xx instead of 6.xx
Used that in my script as part of the deployment, and voila.
Let me check a few other machines (Win 7-64 and Win XP-32) before I pop the cork on the champagne.
ASKER
How can I set a printer to be the default? Too lazy to look that one up . . .
When you set the printer as per Prefrences there is a check box, however not possible via Policy.
ASKER
OK Thanks.
Man, I've got a lot of catching up to do . . .
btw, thanks for the help on the LaCie drives.
Man, I've got a lot of catching up to do . . .
btw, thanks for the help on the LaCie drives.
Oh, it was you!!!
ASKER
Ackles - great source of information and easy to work with. Didn't make me feel dumb. I'm transitioning from Novell still, and I'm trying to catch up to everyone else with Windows. VERY satisfied and hope to work with Ackles in the future.
Thanks for the points & Very Glad it worked for you.
Regards,
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Regards,
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If you have tried & have come across a problem, then please state here & the particular issue can be looked at.
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