forumit,
I had similar issues for months. Print server was Windows 2003 SP2, 50+ printers.
There could be so many factors contributing to slow printing that I don’t even know where to begin.
Try tweaking printer queues (worked for me):
- Switch between PCL5 and PCL6 drivers (PCL6 were rewritten and a lot of work is done on the client before sending the job to the spooler)
- On the advanced tab of your printer queue, select “start printing immediately”
- Sometimes disabling the “enable advanced printing features” made things faster (don’t ask me why)
- Clear any unused print drivers from your server (uninstall using Server Properties in Printers and Faxes)
- Make sure (although set by default) that the “maximise data throughput for file sharing” is selected under file and printer sharing for Microsoft networks
- If printers are referenced by NetBIOS name, make sure their resolvable (WINS, static entries)
- Install WireShark on one of the affected client and filter traffic between the client and print server. This may give you an idea at what point you’re getting stuck
- Move spooler folder to a drive other than OS (if available)
In the end we sorted our problems, but it wasn’t down to one thing.
Hope it’s helpful.
Michael