Fun Printer Problem Cannot Print with Win2k/98 Network

[sykotik]

Ok, here it is in a nutshell, from my case notes:

No one can print to this machine on the
network, unless she prints first. The printer
is attached directly to this machine(Win2k)
There are 3 machines total on the network. User
tried to install additional drivers. User says
that this is Win2k, the other systems are
Windows 98. User trying to install the Win98
drivers to solve the problem, but cannot get it
work. The printer driver is not compatiable
with your version of Windows. Explained to user
that this would not work. It has not ever
worked correctly, she must print first, doesn't
matter what program they use. The printer is a
Xerox XD100, it's a laser printer. User did not
setup the network herself. She brought the
question to the person who setup the network,
but he could not figure it out. No matter what
software they use, she MUST print first on the
Win2k PC, before ANY of the other two machines
can print. She also had Windows 98 before, and
they never had a problem. It only started when
this machine was replaced her old machine on
the network. They shutdown the systems at
night, and they power them up when they get in,
she will print first, after that, the machines
will print fine the rest of the day.

I've tried looking around on the net, but cannot seem to find any information.(That or I'm not using the correct search string to find some info) Anyways, any help would be appreciated, I love a challenge, and will be actively trying to find information, but I know when I'm licked.
Thanks in advance

 

[zoeythecat]

Trying to figure out what exactly is happening. Do I understand this correctly?

(1) You have a Xerox XD100 printer attached locally via
a Parallel cable to a Windows2000 workstation?

(2) You try to print to this printer from other Windows98
workstations you are not able to print unless the
Windows2000 user prints first? Makes no sense.

Questions for you:
(Windows2000 Workstation)

(1) Is the printer shared properly from the Windows2000 PRo
workstation? Check the printer here and make sure it
is being shared.
(2) Also make sure the proper permissions are setup
under the security tab
(3) What is the computer name of the workstation? Lets
call this COMPUTERA for arguments sake.

(Windows98 Workstations)
(1) Install the Windows98 drivers for this printer and
note where you extract the drivers to (Example:
c:\xerox)
(2) Go and Add the printer. Choose "Network Printer"
during the install. When prompted browse the network
for COMPUTERA and locate the printer share under
COMPUTERA and then click Next. You will be prompted
for the printer driver and you will need to browse
to the driver location of the folder you extracted
the files to
(Note - I don't have a Windows98 machine in front of me so this is straight out of my head. Should be mostly accurate how you add the printer here)
(3) Now try and print and see if you have any success.

* What I think may be happening here is the incorrect drivers are installed on the WIndows98 machines and you are trying to print to the share incorrectly. You should not have to wait for the Windows2000 user to print first as long as you have the share setup properly.

* Next question would be why you do not have a jetdirect card for the printer? This would make life easier.

Let me know how you make out or if this info is useful for you.

 

[sykotik]

I'm not onsite, it's over the phone. I don't know how to use a jetdirect card correctly, and have had config issues with them in the past. I'm going to try your fixes once the user calls me back tomorrow to verify if it has or has not worked correctly. So far, the following seems to have worked correctly for me:

Had user open Add/Remove Programs. Went to
Add/Remove Windows Components. The fix I found
was here:

http://solutions.brother.com/Library/pdf/ipp_95_

98.pdf This is for another brand of printer,
but that is irrevelant, the steps outlined in
the document seem to be generic.
IIS(Internet Information Server is not checked)
Had user check it to install it. User has
Dialup on at least two of the machines, one has
no internet connection. Asked if there was an
error message when trying to print from Win98
to Win2k, user said it was real general,
something like there was an error printing to
the device LPT1. MSG'D TO USER THAT THIS WAS
BEST EFFORT, AND THAT I CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT
THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. Finished installing
IIS, restarted the machine. Had user connect to
the internet. User says that it also takes a
long time to restart from when she sees the
Dell Screen, to when she gets a desktop. I can
say that it does take quite a while, though I
cannot give any exact time.

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows98/downloads/con

tents/WUPreviews/IPP/ That is where we get
Internet Print Services for Win98. Downloaded
it, and put it on the Win98 machines. Installed
and restarted each Win98 machine. User placed
me on hold as she did this.
Had user run CMD on the Win2k. Then ran
IPCONFIG. The IP address is 192.168.0.101
Ethernet Adapter.
Had user type the

HTTP://IPOfWin2kMachine/printers

Had user do the URL, got a printers page, but
it does NOT have the Connect button we need.
Had user go to the Win2k machine, will check to
see that IIS is running.
The IIS status is started, and it's automatic.
Since user has restarted all machines, had her
print from one of the Windows 98 machines.
User has placed me on hold and is checking to
see if she can print from the other machines.
It did print when she tried it. User will call
me back and let me know tomorrow morning if it
doesn't work. She's going to have me print from
one of the other machines for right now. Had
her attach to the Win2k machine again from the
other win98 machine, entered her username/pass,
and she saw the status of the printer. No
connect button either. James P. Grant III
A+ Certified Technician

 

[zoeythecat]

Wow James,

I have to admit you have me completely baffled. This went from discussing problems printing in a small environment to this whole IIS thing. How did this subject end up like this? Well, good luck in troubleshooting this as this gets into the IIS area this is getting out of my realm of expertise.

Good luck.

Zoe

 

[sykotik]

heh I know, it has me baffled too, but it works.
Not too sure on the exact mechanics, but if you check that first link; solutions.brothers.com, it will explain how you can setup a printer over the internet OR an intranet to use on Win9x machines. You simply install IIS on Win2k, IPS on Win9x, then restart both machines, use the Win9x and go to

http://IPofTheWin2kMachine/Printers

and it will show a list of the printers, hit connect and Win9x will install the drivers from the Win2k machine, and BAM, no more printing problems. Kinda cool actually. James P. Grant III
A+ Certified Technician