Default Printer

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LMI - 25 Mar 2008 15:09 GMT

I just got 3 vista PC into our current SBS 2003 network. What im seeying is
that the printers will not stay or can even be setup as the default printer.

Can anyone tell me any tricks

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Alan Morris [MSFT] - 26 Mar 2008 23:39 GMT

Are you getting any error when setting the default.

If you can't set the default at all be sure the user has write access to the
default printer key. Normally everyone has write access as this is how some
application take over the default printer but I've noticed a couple of posts
and the key settings were changed from the defaults. I don't know if this
is a group policy setting or from some application.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Device

this is the default printer key

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Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

>I just got 3 vista PC into our current SBS 2003 network. What im seeying is
> that the printers will not stay or can even be setup as the default
> printer.
>
> Can anyone tell me any tricks

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LMI - 27 Mar 2008 12:56 GMT

I dont get any errors when I try and set the default printer. The issue is
that when i right click to the printer and try to set it It wont do anything
(doesn;t change the current default printer to the new one). The only way I
can set the default printer is if I delete that printer and re-run the setup
printer utility in vista. The other things is that this user account has full
rights and is a member of the administrative group.

The actual printer is a HP LaserJet 5000. I talked with HP and they weren't
much help. All they told me is that this printer can;t be networked. and I
responded we have had this printer networked for over 5 years and it works
fine with XP Pro SP2

> Are you getting any error when setting the default.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> >
> > Can anyone tell me any tricks

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John - 27 Mar 2008 19:41 GMT

I have had the same trouble and still cant make the driver for an IBM
Infoprint 1612 work. However, its easy with HP printers: Go to the HP website
and select the appropriate drive. It gives you the choice of a straight
download or complete automatic download and installation using Active-X
(whatever that is!) It worked first time

> I dont get any errors when I try and set the default printer. The issue is
> that when i right click to the printer and try to set it It wont do anything
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> > >
> > > Can anyone tell me any tricks

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Alan Morris [MSFT] - 27 Mar 2008 20:21 GMT

Are you connecting directly to the network card on the printer or is the
printer shared by another computer?

I can't believe HP support said a laserjet could not be networked.

If you are connecting directly to the device be sure to use the Vista
supplied drivers for the device. There is PCL5 , PCL6 or PS.

Signature

Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

>I dont get any errors when I try and set the default printer. The issue is
> that when i right click to the printer and try to set it It wont do
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>> >
>> > Can anyone tell me any tricks

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LMI - 28 Mar 2008 15:49 GMT

I am connecting via our main server.

> Are you connecting directly to the network card on the printer or is the
> printer shared by another computer?
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
> >> >
> >> > Can anyone tell me any tricks

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Alan Morris [MSFT] - 28 Mar 2008 20:15 GMT

Vista RTM, correct?

Can you set the default using the command line tools rather than the UI?

open a command window

cd c:\windows\system32\printing_admin_scripts\en-us

cscript prnmngr.vbs -t -p \\printserver\"printer name"

if the name of the printer has any spaces you have to use the ""

Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The default printer is now \\printserver\printer name

Open the printers folder (F5 if the folder is already open will refresh)

Signature

Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

>I am connecting via our main server.
>
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>> >> >
>> >> > Can anyone tell me any tricks

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