Printing in a mixed OS network from Win2k 1

[rjshirts]

Here at the office I work at we have a computer we want to use as a print server for an HP Laserjet 4300n. Our billing software makes it difficult to use printer on the network, so it has to be hooked up to a local machine, then mapped in the software through the LPT1 port. We also use OpenOffice.org 1.1.+ and print .TIF's to the printers that are shared. We are trying to get the HP on a Win2K machine (at the moment it's on a WinXP) so we can move it out of the walkway and next to the wall. When we tried to move it, the only way I could get anything to print was to go - through My Network Places in XP - to the computer itself, find the printer, and then right-click and go to connect. That would have been an easy enough fix, but now our billing software won't recognize the printer as being on the network. The billing software is currently on a server running Nt4.0sp6. Would the planned upgrade to server 2000 or 2003 help this?
I feel like I'm rambling on here, I just want to know how to get the printer to work - no supplying of passwords, etc...- so we can get it moved. Unfortunately an upgrade from Win2K isn't possible at the moment.
Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jonathan

 

[jeremybarker]

The easiest way I could think of would be to have the same shared printer name as was on the Windows XP pc. If possible, rename the 2000 pc to what the XP pc is and vice-versa. This would prevent you from visiting every pc and changing the printer there. If your network environment is a workgroup, you might have to add the user accounts to the 2000 pc. Of course give everyone that needs access to that printer permission. If any Windows 9x machines are using the printer, make sure the appropriate drivers are loaded on the 2000 pc.
HTH.

 

[rjshirts]

We tried doing that, and we were still having problems. We're almost to the point of just upgrading the computer to winXP (a real legal hassle - but that would take too long to explain) and call it good. If anyone still knows of anything to get this to work, please let me know.

Thanks

Jonathan

 

[mur]

Hi Rjshirts
Had this problem at work also and nearly tore my hair out finding a fix. Finally did this:
1) Installed the share on client systems as local administrator - ensured paper settins were as wanted. Please note that most likely you wont be able to print a test page during this step. I use the HP driver CD to setup a client - DO NOT USE THE OPTION THAT ALLOWS AUTOMATIC REMOTE MANAGEMENT.
2)Log off as admin and log on as a user - the share should be there.
Note:
Make sure the device with the printers uses a physical port - ie LTP1 etc. - DO NOT USE HP'S PORT.

This worked for me when I upgraded our printer server from NT4 to WIN2K.
As a footnote our HO guru has delcared that "I have not been able to EVER get a WIN2K print sever to install and make available other WIN version printer drivers" - I concur.
Hope this helps - would be very interested in other fixes.