auto installing printers for users (i'm really stuck) 2

[itsfisko]

Hi all I have set up a server 2000/ win xp network in my school 70+ machines. The problem is that although the kids can connect to a printer using active directory its a bit of a pain when they go on another machine and have to do it all again. How do i set it up so that the printer can be automatically set up when they logon? Or can I as I used to in NT / 98 set the machine to have the printer and allow any user to see it and use it. Its driving me nuts there must be an easy method please help. (and sve me from 470 kiuds driving me bonkers with " I can't print!!"
Thanks all.

 

[Zelandakh]

Log in as local admin and install the printer. then they all get it. or use roaming profiles.

 

[trimelater]

Zelandakh,

Your suggestion is a good idea to setup the printer as a local admin. I would have never thought of that. I will give it a try and if it works, it will save me a lot of time

Trimelater

 

[dougDFW]

There is a program in the resource kit called con2prt or something similar. You use this in the logon script to add printers or set a default printer. I have a similar problem to you. We have some networked laser printers in our company, but 10 color injets and a plotter. People are always complaining about a printer or forgetting how to add a printer under their profile. I'm scared to add the 14 or 15 printers to everyone's profile--i.e. they might be printing all over the place. I don't use roaming profiles, so users continually gripe when they move among machines.

Hope that gives you a start.

 

[itsfisko]

Tried logging on as admin , No luck, Still the user has to find the printer. Any other ideas? I have all my users folders redirected, but I do not have roming? profiles any help. Thanks

 

[ashpp]

Best way is through a logon script/batch file.

Use rundll32

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /c(UNC path of print server) /n(UNC path of printer on print server)

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /?


Or you could also use CON2PRT

http://www.ss64.demon.co.uk/nt/con2prt.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q181663&

Downloadable from

http://www.esu10.k12.ne.us/download/pc/win95_NT_2000/ms_resources/

(Make sure you have the alternative/point&print drivers installed on the server)

Ash.

 

[itsfisko]

Does this ony apply to NT server or can this be used on server 2000, Xp stations?

 

[ashpp]

Itsfisko,

Yup, it'll work fine on 2000 server/XP clients.

HTH

Ash.

 

[itsfisko]

Cheers Ash i'll give it a bash Ta , Itsfisko. Stressed out School tech

 

[dmanlam]

I'm pretty certain you can just write a really simple login script (in vb-script) that maps printer shares using UNC. I had researched this same thing several weeks ago and wrote a script to test and it worked beautifully....now, of course I cannot find the script! I believe it even allowed me to set the default printer. You can get pretty sophisticated with login scripts -- they're the way to go. Try using vbs over bat files. More flexibility and power.

If I find my script, I will definitely post back!
-Drew

 

[dmanlam]

Found my very simple script. Obviously, replace my bogus printer shares with your UNC printer shares. You can get more creative with assigning the default printer, but I just hard-coded it to the first printer for testing's sake:

good luck!
Drew

------
Dim WshNetwork, PrinterPath

Set WshNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network&quot
PrinterPath = Array("\\SERVER01\PrinterShare1", "\\SERVER02\PrinterShare2", "\\SERVER03\PrinterShare3&quot

For i = 0 to 2
WshNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection PrinterPath(i)
Next

WshNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter PrinterPath(0)
------

 

[itsfisko]

Thanks dmanlam I'll give it a try ta! John

 

[itsfisko]

Hi again still stuck....Have tried all methods but with no success, what am I doing wrong? I Have two printers set up on my server (SERVER2K1) ONE CALLED ROOM 22 AND ONE CALLED ROOM 2A. I can add these and print to them from any of my xP networked machines but when I try the methods above nothing if I use the RUNDLL method I get (unc not found )but I can enter the very same unc in the add printer wizard and connect and print so why not with a script?
With the Set WshNetwork method I am unclear what to save the file as so no luck there. I will try the CON2PRT method next if I can download the CON2PRT.exe file from microsoft, thanks all for your help.

 

[MikeArch]

Anyone know if these methods will work for win98? I've been using kix32 to add printers to my 2k/xp/nt machines but it doesn't work for 98....I'd love to beable to add printers on my 98 machines this way-


thanks...

 

[dmanlam]

Forgot to add that my printer script is written in VB Script. This is interpreted by Win2K's WSH (Windows Script Host). I suggest downloading the latest version of WSH from MSFT's web site (v5.6, I believe)...check in Technet, I don't have the exact link handy. As for the actual code, just copy/paste my code into a Notepad document and Save the document with a ".vbs" extension (not .txt) -- Test it out by deleting all your printers and then run your script (double-click on the .vbs file). Should map your printers without any trouble. So, in itsfisko's case:

1) copy/paste this into Notepad

Dim WshNetwork, PrinterPath
Set WshNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network&quot
PrinterPath = Array("\\SERVER2K1\ROOM 22", "\\SERVER2K1\ROOM 2A&quot

For i = 0 to 1
WshNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection PrinterPath(i)
Next

WshNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter PrinterPath(0)

2) save as filename.vbs
3) delete your printers
4) run your new script (double-click, Start|Run, however...)

 

[itsfisko]

Hi agian I now have a problem where if write a new script place it in sysvol and try to get the group policy logon to add it i get an error 32 and cannot add it whats up?.... If I only knew today what I will know tomorrow.

 

[rbertram]

Great little script. I've started using it now. I had to modify it since I only have one network printer.

One question though. How would I map a printer to a LPT port in this script?

 

[jamesch]

We had the same problem where I work. This is what we did, I don't know if this will help, but it solved a lot of our problems. We have some HP LaserJet, and big Canon prints/copier/fax. All have Nic’s. We did have all of the printers off print servers, both Windows, and Novell, and have had lots of problems. I saved the day, :<).
We now use LPR Port to print directly to the printer, and not go through the print servers, everything was faster, and experienced no problems when users print. We also had the problems of different users getting on the same computer and NO printer calls started coming in. We then setup the printers, on the local workstation, as Admin, this worked and whoever logged in got that printer. This worked for us, and about 160 users!