Can't connect to Network Printer from Win2000 Client

[kmrussell]

Okay, you'll have to forgive my ignorance on Netware. I've grown up in the Dos days, have 20+ years computer experience, and own my own Computer Business. But this is my first experience with Netware (actually having to administer it).

I've hooked up a new Win2000 machine I built to the Novell network which is Cat5 Ethernet. It is hooked up to a switch alongside it's older counterpart (which it is replacing) and both connect up to the NW 3.12 server. Now, I got the 2000 machine to connect up to the server after installing the IPX protocol and setting the 'Preferred server' and matching the same login name as the older computer. It loads the logon script and maps all the drives so that is GOOD.

But, problem I've been having is they have a HP Laserjet connected to the old computer that is shared through Netware by getting it's permissions from the NW server. I thought I would just try to connect up to this printer from Windows 2000 but can't seem to see any other computers except the server under Network Neighborhood. Under the old computer (that is connected to the exact same switch as the new 2000 computer) I can see about 5 computers on the Netware network. Not sure why I can't see them on the 2000, but I also can't connect to the printer even by specifying it directly by UNC (\\oldcomputer\hp1200). It says 'Network path not found'.

I would just connect the Laserjet to the new Win2000 computer and just share it by IPX through there, but there is no longer a 'service' for 'File and Printer sharing for Netware' under Win2000?? Am I missing something here?

Again, forgive my Netware ignorance. I was proud that I got it to logon and map all the drives with this being my first hands on experience with it. Also, I would just share this printer with 'Client for Microsoft Networks' with TCP/IP, but some computers seem to randomly lose connectivity on the network when enabling this. I figured it had to be related to this? (Extra network traffic/master browsers fighting??).

Kevin

 

[Provogeek]

Are the computers using a NetWare print queue? If not, this is not a NetWare problem. To be using a remote printer on a Novell network, the workstation that the printer is attached to will need to run NPrinter

http://support.novell.com/cgi-bin/search/searchtid.cgi?/1006560.htm

Life is easier using an HP JetDirect box for network printing that it is using nprinter.

Your connectivity issues sound fishy. 3.x runs only on IPX protocol, the TCP printing is only on the IP protocol. Something sounds wrong in your info structure if clients loose IPX connectivity when using IP printing. Brent Schmidt CNE,Network +
Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple

http://www.kiscc.com

 

[kmrussell]

Hmm, that's a good question Provo. I guess the best way to tell how it's setup is to check the Properties of the shared printer on the computer that is currently linked to it? I know the old computer with the printer attached gets it's permission list from the main Netware server (this is set under the Network control panel I believe) and that the printer is shared as '\\oldcomputer\HP1200' with everyone having access and also the computer name of the lady that is attached to it (Sharon) having access.

I have two solutions I could use here. The preferred would be to move the printer over to the 2000 machine and share it from there with IPX.. but I'm concerned that I can't do this since I couldn't find 'File and Print sharing for Netware' under 'Add Protocols > Services' with the Win 2000 Professional machine. The other method would be to connect the new Win2000 machine to the old computer through Netware, which is what I've been trying to do.. but can't seem to see it or connect to it.

And the connectivity issue: It's not that they seem to lose connection when printing, but it's when I've added 'Client for Microsoft Networks' to some of the computers and shared a CD-ROM. I don't know if it was coincidence but after that, people (2 at least) randomly lost their connect on logon but then I was able to reboot and restore it. (?)

I agree with the Jetdirect box but there is only 1 person sharing this printer so it wouldn't really be worth that if we can get it to work by sharing through the computer.

Thanks in advance for your reply .. I anxiously await your advice on this.

Kevin