client printer auto-creation

[novice05]

I am using W2K server with all PS4 and components.
1) I had created a policy in presentation server console, policies, printing/client printers/auto-creation "enabled". Only to "auto-create client's default printer" (citrix have problem when client have more than 3 printers)
2) in ICA connection configuration, Client settings/connection to 'inherit user config's is enabled (this will connect client printers at logon)
3) Citrix hot fix for W2K server for printer is installed.
I still have problem in printer auro-creation. In event viewer,
"Client printer auto-creation failed. The driver could not be installed. "
Can someone point me where did I went wrong please ?

 

[novice05]

Scott, you are right. Its standard version only. But should be able to autocreate at least a printer.

I sweated my weekend this stuff and didn't succeed yet. I had done what in admin guide plus I followed/checked steps in:

http://ctxex10.citrix.com/kb/entry.jspa?externalID=CTX106683

http://ctxex10.citrix.com/kb/entry.jspa?externalID=CTX106629

http://ctxex10.citrix.com/kb/entry.jspa?externalID=CTX106393

I have this message in application log of event viewer as below:

Source: metaframeEvents
Event ID 1116
Printer auto-creation failure. Reason: AddPrinter() failed with status 0x5. Client name: (WI_63H8_E_iQAlN0I0jL) Printer name: (EPSON AL-C900 Advanced (from WI_63H8_E_iQAlN0I0jL) in session 1) Port name: (Client:1:EPSON AL-C900 Advanced) Driver name: (EPSON AL-C900 Advanced) Print processor: (WINPRINT)

In the system log is:
Printer EPSON AL-C900 Advanced (from WI_63H8_E_iQAlN0I0jL) in session 3 is pending deletion.
after that :
Printer EPSON AL-C900 Advanced (from WI_63H8_E_iQAlN0I0jL) in session 3 was deleted.

I am also confused in Citrix's MPS4 admin guide's page 325 pointing about auto-create printers (which is written not clear). If auto-create program will create client's directly connected printer, why should I need to add/create printer for client's ? (I know I have to create IF for network printer).
Thanks for the help. I sweat more and at least I'll get to the base of this.

 

[ascotta]

You should not need to add a printer for clinets. It should just autocreate. The language is not good.

I describe client printers as either locally attached (Via parallel cable or such like) or created in thir local print manager as a connection to a print device.

Network printers are imported and work like a dream.

You need to have the driveer as described on local print manager. Or you can map them.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Scott, what do you mean "Language is not good". We use only english on our system. "create in their local print manager as a connection to a print device", can you point to me in which policy shall I look for this? Most of the client's printers are attached by USB. Sorry to ask you? I even think whether to reinstall PS4 but I do not have spare server.

 

[ascotta]

No I mean the "Citrix" language. They don't describe it too well.


Ooooohhhh USB ????? well it should work. Re-install probably wont help you.

I was only explaining what I see as a local printer.

Lets take a printer for example.

Is it attached to the client PC ?

Is the driver that installed on the local PC installed on the Citrix server ?

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

They said its USB (some LPT etc..) and printers are vary from users to users. Sometime its lexmark, Dell and god knows what as they are in different countries. We thought when we read auto-creation is soo great that we gave the idea. :-(
Our aim is to autocreate printer and driver except from prohibit list of printer driver giving trouble that we will add later. Event and error logs doesn't gave much info to see more detail either.
Will keep you inform as I am searching info.

Does anyone have the same problem like me ?

 

[ascotta]

I have two sites at persent. One is 2k3 other is 2k.

Both are working OK. In fact I just logged on there to one over the web. And had printers.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Scott,
I created temporary mailbox at ct003@skynet.be
can you contact me please ?

 

[lb63640]

On your W2K server, what service pack are you running? What are the Event ID numbers from your application and system logs in the event viewer?

We had a rocky start with our Citrix implementation because we were complete newbies and had no resources for help until we blundered into Tek-Tips last year. Hang in there!

 

[novice05]

W2K server is with SP4 and updated with latest patches. Event IDs are 1116 and please look at the above previous threads. I am newbie and learning and documentation is not clear though the product is great.


Scott, where do you see the client's printer attached ?
I use "citrix printer configuration" printcfg.exe and can see printer but cannot connect (that where I got the message "your metaframe farm is not license to support workspace control").
Can you see your client's printer from inside opened program like in Word ?
PS: We do not use program neighbourhood. We gave only webaccess to users. Thanky. J

 

[ascotta]

I publish print manager. That is where you see the printers. There is an article on Citrix web site as to how to publish print manager.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Thanks Scott. As I am using MPS4, I think do not need publish print manager. I have more confusion after reading below that "to add client printers".

To auto-create client printers
In the left pane of the console, under Printer Management, select Printers.
On the Actions menu, select Printer Management > Client Printers, or click on the toolbar.
To add a client printer to the list, click Add.
Type the Client Name and the Printer Name.
Type, or browse for, the Driver name. You can also browse for the Driver Mapping.
Select the printer port from the drop-down list and click OK. The client printer information is downloaded the next time the client device connects to the farm.

Why do we need to add a printer and driver if its autocreation.
There is no USB port to choose in it either. Can I use com port ?

Lucky we have site like yours for us to understand more. We really appreciate and thanks to you all.J

 

[ascotta]

Indeed, I don't think you are looking in the right place. I have neveer had to use that client printer bit.

I think what we want to do is to start from something simple and work it through.

Do you have a printer locally attached or is there a PC close by that does.

If you log into citrix on those boxes to a desktop via ICA does it show a Client printer in Print Manager ?

If it does then autocreation is working. If not then we need to look into it further.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Scott. I have a PC with window XP and a USB printer connected. We only access Citrix through Webinterface. When I log in and open a desktop window, then start/setting/printer, I only see "add printer" and "MS office document image writer".
On the server, error message of "fail to autocreate" as above.

 

[ascotta]

Good start Reason I am going this way is to remove any bells and whistles.

It has to be to do with the USB connection.

Do you have any parallel printers in the building you could try ? Just to rule something out.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[ascotta]

Or alternatively, I just installed Acrobat 7 with viewer, and it stoppoed client printers being created.

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Its all Dell laptop here and really surprise to find there is no LPT port. Finally found a compaq with one and after searching for parallel cable, I tested it and found the same result though I can print directly without using citrix. I see everyone can auto create printer except me. We do have all PC with norton AV. Norton firewall was shutdown during these test.

 

[ascotta]

Do you have any policies for printers?

[blue] Oh you know, just doing what I do.[/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[novice05]

Yes. Inside presentation server console. Client printer auto-creation and legacy client printers are enabled.
Session printer is also enabled.
In the ica-tcp connection / client settings, connect cleint printers at logon, default to main client printer and 'by default, connect only to client's main printer' are checked. This is also for rdp-tcp conection also.

 

[lb63640]

Hey, here's another thought. I stumbled across some other folks have a similar auto-create problem.

On your system, does the domain admin account start the Citrix SMA Service? These other folks had the CTX_SMAuser account starting the service, and they were getting this same error.

 

[novice05]

IB63640. Thanks a million. Its working now. I have to use local system account for starting Citrix SMA service and Citrix Print Manager service. I dont understand why it let this service start by CTX_SMAuser account if not going to be working.
MPS4 was installed as test member server and I moved from test domain to live domain and WOW, this thing must have changed. Thank you again and Thanks to Scott for this great site. J.