Default Network Printer for ALL Windows XP Users (how???)

[iladelf]

Just started a new job. Problem is, the damn networked printers have to be individually installed by each user on each computer they use, and there's about 20 comps and 250+ users!

So, is there an EASY way to import the networked printers that I've installed as an administrator so that they'll be global for ALL users? I've looked at MS KB 307016, but there's got to be an easier or faster way than that.

Note that these are all on the same domain.

 

[MHCG]

Are you using a print server? Install them as local devices using a Standard TCP/IP port as the connection. If the devices are local, they will show up for every user unless you didn't set permissions properly on the device.

 

[iladelf]

Thanks for the thoughts MHCG, but I think I've done that. Under my Administrative account on the domain, I go to "Add Printer", find the printer I want, (for example "\\Frickin Printer\LabRat 01") and it will show up under my account, but not any of the other student users. They have to individually add the printer the first time they log on to any of the 20+ PCs in the locale I'm working.

That KB article talks of how to do it, but I was thinking there may be a faster way to just import what you want, registry-wise, and make the thing work globally for all users.

 

[TimeCode]

Server?

If there is a Windows server (Maybe even Linux.. But you'll have to ask someone else how to do that.) that controls the accounts you could push the printers through via a GPO.

And is the name a nod to Philadelphia or "illadelph halflife" by the Roots?

 

[seedubya]

Can this not be done via a logon script? If this is a domain and all the students are part of an OU then you can assign a default logon script to that OU that will run for each student automatically once they logon. I've never thought of this as a problem but I've never had 250+ users to deal with either.

something like net use lpt1: \\ServerName\FrickinPrinter /user:administrative user

EDIT: just found this post http://neverblog.net/set-the-default-printer-for-all-users-on-a-windows-xp-computer/

 

[MHCG]

Thanks for the thoughts MHCG, but I think I've done that. Under my Administrative account on the domain, I go to "Add Printer", find the printer I want, (for example "\\Frickin Printer\LabRat 01") and it will show up under my account, but not any of the other student users. They have to individually add the printer the first time they log on to any of the 20+ PCs in the locale I'm working.

That KB article talks of how to do it, but I was thinking there may be a faster way to just import what you want, registry-wise, and make the thing work globally for all users.

Are these networked printers (meaning they have their own ethernet port) or are these shared printers?

If they're networked printers, do as I said to do, I do this every day. Add the printer as a local printer using a standard TCP/IP port that you create. I don't have an XP machine in front of me, but click on add printer>Local Printer>Create new port>Standard TCP/IP port>enter printer IP address or printer hostname>Profit! Make sure you check the device permissions. If you don't set up permissions properly the printer won't show up for the other users.

I don't use shared printers so I'll have to defer to someone else that uses them.

You can create a simple installation batch file for the printers you install. I'll post a sample script tomorrow that I use.

 

[MHCG]

EDIT: just found this post http://neverblog.net/set-the-default-printer-for-all-users-on-a-windows-xp-computer/

That's similar to the script I use, but you also have to stop and restart the print spooler service after installation. I include that command in my script.

 

[iladelf]

Yes, I saw that blogpost after I posted here.

So, if I've got this right, MHCG, you should do the following:

1. Install the printer.
2. Stop the print spooler in services.msc, then restart it.
3. Type up your batch script, and viola, no more issues, yes?

And yes, MHCG, these printers are NIC'd up, with TCP/IP port settings already setup eons ago.

Oh, and TimeCode, my nickname here is a nod to my former profession. I was known as Philadelphia Philly (gee, can't guess my first name, can ya?) on-air at one of the radio stations I worked at. I just shortened it over the years.

 

[dave-northoaklandtech]

Can you use printuiEntry In your logon script:
Technet article hxxp://support.microsoft.com/kb/314486/

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /? <- shows all switches for printuiEntry command

Example:
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /q /y /n\\servername\printername < - quiet install, set as the default printer
eg
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /y /n"\\SERVER\FINANCE_HPLJ4050" - install and set the printer as the default...

 

[MHCG]

Ok, I completely forgot about this thread. Here is the script I use. One file is the registry entry that creates the new TCP port and the batch file that runs that runs the port.reg file and then installs the printers on those ports. You'll obviously have to modify for your own use as I don't have time to make it generic.