Loading printer on server vs. locally

[kamonster]

Hello all,
I have Windows XP computers printing to HP LaserJet 4200n. I load these printers in one of two ways. The first way involves loading the printers on a server in the back and then on the XP computer adding a networked printer. The second way involves downloading the driver for the printer onto the XP computer and adding it to a local LPT1 port and then after the printer is created, adding the port using Standard TCP/IP that the printer is connected to.
I have noticed a problem. I would like to use the networked printer because then if we have to change the driver I don't have to visit each computer. However, many of our staff have to print to custom size documents from time to time. When I load the printers on the server, I cannot choose custom sizes. However, when I load the printer onto the XP computer, very often I can.

If anyone can offer any input into how to fix this situation it would be appreciated. We tried adding a form (Printers & Faxes--> File > Server Properties) to the XP computer and to the server. It didn't seem to change the functionality of the printers loaded.

Thank you,
Katy

 

[DTracy]

On the workstations try on the default or desired printer:
Properties>Printing Preferences>Paper/Quality> Advanced>Paper/Output and select the desired form.

Let us know, OK?

Regards,
David.

 

[kamonster]

Thank you for replying. Under the Advanced tab> Paper/ Output I only have the option "Copy Count." i don't have the option to choose the desired form. I feel like something is missing from this driver. Any thoughts?

 

[DTracy]

Is this the local or the network definition?
How is the printer defined? ie: PS

It sounds like you perhaps have not installed the complete driver or maybe the wrong driver.

Let us know.

David.

 

[kamonster]

Hello DTracy,

This is the network definition (i think). it is the printer driver that is installed on a server that we direct the printers to. We took the driver from the hp website. It doesn't appear to matter if it is a PCL driver or a PS driver- we have the same problem.

One of the drivers is the HP LaserJet 4200 PCL 5e (60.51.501.32). The other is the HP LaserJet 4200 PS (60.51.501.32). I've also tried the HP LaserJet 4200 PCL 6 (60.51.501.32).

Am i answering your question completely? Thank you for your assistance.

Katy

 

[DTracy]

Katy,

A couple of things:

1) Check the IP (the Port) of that printer again as you have typed 60.51.501.32

2) Can you send a test page to that printer from the server?

3) Are you on the same subnet as the printer? ie: Is the first three octets of your IP the same as the printer? Open a command window--start>run>cmd
type ipconfig /all
Find the line that shows your IP for your workstation.
Is it 60.51.???.xxx

David.

 

[DTracy]

Katy,

Sorry, I hope I didn't confuse you with the IP thing.

The thing is you should be able to do EVERYTHING you want with that printer with the server definition and from the server. If you can't then when you copy that definition to the workstation you're going to be limited to only what it will do. You should test the printer definition on the server first, making sure it has the right forms and such, and it is able to access them.

That printer is relatively new and should have come with an install CD. Do you still have it? I was just curious why you were using the downloaded version for an XP.

Anyway, keep talking, we'll get it sooner or later.

David.

 

[kamonster]

hi david,

Yes, I still have the CDs, but i was thinking for this new server, i should install the most up to date drivers. perhaps i should try installing the drivers that on are on the CD. Do you know if it matters that the operating system on the servers is different then on the desktops?

Thank you,
Katy

 

[DTracy]

Katy,

Either NT4, 2000, or 2003 on the server and NT4, 2000-Pro, and XP-Pro for the workstations respectively. The versions are not that important for printers. You can look at the Help>About on the server to see your version. The HP4200n CD that I have has a green label and will support a three server platforms.

I would try a clean install of the 4200 printer on the server from the CD. Use whatever method you have been using to find/create the TCP/IP port. Test the printer from the server. If it tests OK, go to a workstation and add that definition as a new printer. See how that works and if you have questions please ask, we'll be more than happy to answer as best we can. It's difficult to try to talk someone through this procedure when we are so used to a hands on environment. Bear with us if we seem a little clumsy with words.

Best regards,
David.

 

[kamonster]

I understand the hands on angle. i have a hard time explaining what i do with words as well at times.

One point of confusion I suffer from is if I load the definition for the Server, and then i network the printer to that definition, it no longer is the appropriate driver. How does this work? I've been reading and re-reading the documentation and can't seem to connect this very basic concept. Do you have any thoughts?

Katy

 

[DTracy]

When you load the printer driver onto a print server and make that assignment, the printer belongs to that server--just like it was hardwired. You communicate with that printer through the print server via a network connection using the TCP/IP protocol. Hence the TCP/IP port. You don't necessarily have to install the printer onto the file server, just onto a designated print server. In my opinion, using the file server makes it easier with permissions.

Anyway, for a workstation to communicate with the print server, it needs a copy of the corresponding software. So you can either move a copy from the print server (which is slightly faster than a full install), or you can install a full version on the workstation and communicate directly to the printer via the TCP/IP port.

That's sort of it. There are more details but you should get the picture.

David.

 

[kamonster]

Okay. now i know where we are. We load the printers both ways depending on who uses the computer. My question is could it be the fact that we load the XP driver on the server? The thought process is that if we "move a copy" from the print server then the driver should be for the XP machines. They all work fine when we test them. They just don't have the functionality to print custom sizes. I'll play with it later on and let you know if i find anything of interest. i'll also go back to the drivers that are on the CD versus the updated ones that are on the website.

Thank you for your time David,
Katy

 

[DTracy]

No, you should only load on one way or the other. The server way has the advantage of having only one version to deal with. The individual workstation way means you have to deal with each workstation.

You don't need to "copy" anything, the copy of the server installed printer driver is installed when you add the printer at the workstation, and you select the \\server\printer from the list of network printers.

Best regards and good luck.

David.

 

[kamonster]

Is there a reason we should only load one way or the other? i find that with WXP if we load them by copying from the server they only show up for that user. However, if i install it as the administrator and create the TCP/IP port, then the printer shows up for each user on the computer. Is there a problem you see arising from this? We use the two techniques to deal with different staff situations.

thank you,
Katy

 

[DTracy]

That is exactly right and the reason why using the server definition is best for a workstation that has multiple user profiles. Each person may be allowed/disallowed access to a printer as needed. ie: The accounts payable has access to the check printer while collections would need the document printer. We have several workstations that have more than 25 different user profiles on them and each can be configured individually.

The only problem that I can see with using two different installation types is the print spooler/manager controls the flow of documents through the printer. A document is sent to the print server and will be spooled out in the correct order. If this system is interrupted by an individual workstation printing directly to the TCP/IP port, it may "cut in line" ahead of some other job as the manager has been bypassed.

David.

 

[Sweg]

Try the point and print driver for used in mixed environments 2000/XP:

http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/pond/pnp/pnp.cgi?t=en

hp LaserJet 4200 pcl5e compatible user mode driver
hp LaserJet 4200 pcl6 compatible user mode driver