Printer disappearing

[witch]

We have 4 networked printers that are identical in every respect except name. We have recently tried to set them to print in black as default, but this proved very difficult so we now have a script that sets the registry key appropriately for each computer.

The scripts are identical other than the name of the printer and I have checked this over and over.

What now happens is that three of them are absolutely fine - no problems - printing in black as required, but the fourth one is proving an issue.

When logging on as a student or staff member, the printer is visible for about 10 seconds and then it just vanishes!

Other than putting policies in to run the scripts in appropriate OUs nothing else has been changed

I've never seen this before and would appreciate some help.

There is no info in any event log that I can see. The computers are Windows XP and the Server is 2008R2.

Edited January 31, 2011 by witch
moved thread as not many have server 2008 so maybe that's why noone has answered

[X-13]

This just sounds like XP not liking networked printers.

 

IIRC, when a printer is off for more than a few hours, the computer deletes it because it decided you no longer have it. [This is what I was told by the LA techs in response to our shared printers disappearing.]

[witch]

This just sounds like XP not liking networked printers.

 

IIRC, when a printer is off for more than a few hours, the computer deletes it because it decided you no longer have it. [This is what I was told by the LA techs in response to our shared printers disappearing.]

 

thanks, but the printer isn't ever off and the other three printers are identical!

It is definitely only an issue when the script to set the reg key is there.....

[X-13]

Does it only happen on certain computers, or is it a general problem?

 

If it's only on certain ones, it could be some sort of conflict.

[ricki]

HI

 

Have you got the latest driver for these printers installed on the server and have you tried a different version of the driver like a pcl 5 instead of a pcl 5. We had a load of problems with a hp but I forget the model number off the top of my head and it will only run with one driver I think it was a pcl5.

 

Richard

[X-13]

Witch : Out of curiosity, when you say networked, do you mean connected via a network port or locally installed and shared?

 

 

If it's connected via a network port, check the server and see if it's actually there.

[witch]

Sorry - I'm obviously not explaining myself very well..

Different OUs have different printers as default. This printer disappearing is where it is set as default.

It reappears if you take out the script setting the reg key to black.

The other identical printers have the same script (as I said, the difference is only the name of the printer) and they are NOT disappearing.

The printers are properly networked printers - installed on the server (so all of them use the same driver and they work fine)

 

To recap: the printer has worked for about 4 months in the set up we have, alongside its fellow 3 identical machines.

The share appears as long as the script isnt there!

Hope that makes sense!

[TronXP]

these aren't kyocera by any chance?

[sted]

possibly not an idea answer but one ive used in the past

find a mono only driver that works with the printer and set that as default then use the exisiting driver for colour means they have 2 printers installed but might solve your problem

[witch]

possibly not an idea answer but one ive used in the past

find a mono only driver that works with the printer and set that as default then use the exisiting driver for colour means they have 2 printers installed but might solve your problem

 

I did wonder about doing this - but would the users be able to change to colour?

 

I really want to know WHY the current set up doesnt work for this one printer.

I deleted the script this morning and used one of the working ones, just changing the name of the printer - but no joy.

 

They are HP2025s

[sted]

I did wonder about doing this - but would the users be able to change to colour?

 

I really want to know WHY the current set up doesnt work for this one printer.

I deleted the script this morning and used one of the working ones, just changing the name of the printer - but no joy.

 

They are HP2025s

 

they will be able to change to colour by selecting the colour version of the printer so listed under printers you have hp2025s mono and hp2025s col as long as they select the colour one that will print in colour as it has a colour driver

 

hp2025 rings a bell but i cant think why

[bossman]

@witch:

 

Is it the same user account that has the problem?

Could it be their profile which has become corrupted?

Does the user account have the necessary permissions to run the script?

 

Have you ran a GPResult on the workstations/laptop which are working and compared them with the one that is not?

 

I forget now (getting Old) but there is a free piece of software which will allow you to capture the boot process and any registry changes on boot up and login which may help you determine why the printer is being lost when this reg key is being added.

 

Good hunting

[ricki]

HI

 

I set the default printer with the script:

 

REM **Example Printers.bat file **

REM ** Set a variable called 'Location' on each pc

 

REM ** This line removes any printers from the profile

"\\server\NETLOGON\con2prt.exe" /F

 

REM ** These lines match the variable to a print share

 

IF %Location% == Room1 \\server\NETLOGON\CON2PRT /C \\server\printername1

 

IF %Location% == Room1 \\server\NETLOGON\CON2PRT /CD \\server\printername2

 

Create a print .bat with this in it.

In the netlogon share place the print.bat and the conrprt.exe

 

On the client go into the properties of My computer/advanced/enviromental variables/ Create a new system variable with location and Roomxxx no spaces. The Roomxxx is used in the script for that room. In the script is a c or cd cd=default printer. Please make sure no spaces in location name.

 

Now put the print.bat to run in the logon script of the users ou.

 

Richard

[witch]

The problem is not confined to one user - it affects machines.

Thanks ricki but the default printer setting (cant remember how and I am a different school ATM) works fine so that really isnt the issue.

I have run GPresult with no obvious results (!)

I woul like to know about that software you mention, bossman, if anyone knows of it?

 

How can a script to set a registry key mean that a printer share disappears? I can't see any connection between the two at all. Maybe it is a Server 2008R2 thing!

[sted]

The problem is not confined to one user - it affects machines.

Thanks ricki but the default printer setting (cant remember how and I am a different school ATM) works fine so that really isnt the issue.

I have run GPresult with no obvious results (!)

I woul like to know about that software you mention, bossman, if anyone knows of it?

 

How can a script to set a registry key mean that a printer share disappears? I can't see any connection between the two at all. Maybe it is a Server 2008R2 thing!

 

perhaps its setting the reg key while the driver is still part initialized might be worth making the script that adds the reg key wait say 30 seconds cant harm

[witch]

perhaps its setting the reg key while the driver is still part initialized might be worth making the script that adds the reg key wait say 30 seconds cant harm

 

Ohh - now there's an idea. How do I do that then?

[sted]

depends what type of script youre using batch file

@ping 127.0.0.1 -n 10 -w 1000 > nul

pauses for 10 seconds i believe vbs i honestly cant remember most of my vbs scripts are ripped off altered and merged ones other people have done lol

[witch]

It's a batch file....I'll try it tomorrow

*runs off to email herself at the other school to remind!

 

Thanks

[ricki]

HI

 

There is also the sleep command have a look here Batch file SLEEP Command - Windows XP and DOS it used to be used in nt and 2000.

 

Richard

[tech_guy]

Arrrgggh, cp2025s - nooooo!!!!!! Go to the HP website and get the network express PCL6 driver - it's a known issue with the drivers off the install CD and this driver solved our identical problem.

 

LINKY

 

It says 2020 series but it's the right driver.

Edited February 1, 2011 by tech_guy

[witch]

Arrrgggh, cp2025s - nooooo!!!!!! Go to the HP website and get the network express PCL6 driver - it's a known issue with the drivers off the install CD and this driver solved our identical problem.

 

LINKY

 

It says 2020 series but it's the right driver.

 

Thanks - I will - but why would 3 work and one not?

[tech_guy]

There's no rhyme or reason - in our case two pcs were perfectly happy to print to a networked HP CP2025, another in the same room was so slow and kept losing its connection to it and the express driver solved the issue. Found a bit on the HP forums where others had experienced the same problems.

[MaXiM]

sounds like the pushprinterconnections.exe is kicking in... especially as you say it takes 10 seconds

[witch]

Right - have solved the issue after some pointers from you lovely people. I tried the delay and it didnt work so even though the printer worked fine when in normal use without the batch file, I decided to copy the .reg file from one of the other printers that does work with the batch file. (before following the advice to change the printer drivers)

Lo and behold, the batch file now works, the printer is defaulting to black and white, and it is visible!

I have NO idea what corruption in the files could have caused that result...would love to know but it is fixed now so I will back away slowly.....