group policy

[salv236]

I am having a few problems on my network all win 2000 clients are on SP4 as well as windows 2000 server, when i log onto the domain i can successfully see the printer and print however when a domain user logs on they get the following error message "no printers are installed. To install a printer point to settings on the windows start menu, click printers and then double click add printer follow the instructions in the wizard"

find below group policy settings that i have configured, other other question i have is does Computer configuration overide user configuration in group policy?

Computer configuration\administrative templates\network\printers
Automatically publish new printers in active directory = enabled
Check published state =enabled (every 30 mins)
Directory pruning priority =enabled (normal)
Directory pruning retry =enabled (6 retries)
Log directory pruning retry events =enabled
Pre-populate printer search location =enabled
Printer browsing =disabled
Prune printers that are automatically republished =enabled (never)
Web based printing =enabled

 

[RobBentley]

Printer Installations are 'PER USER PER MACHINE'.
EG: Joe installs Lexmark123 while logged onto PC1. Joe and Joe only will see that installed when he is logged onto PC1. He won't see it when he's logged onto PC2 nor will Jane or anybody else see it when they are logged onto PC1 without them installing it for themselves on each PC. It's very messy!!!

Simple Solution:
Use a logon script that adds the printer(s) for each user when they logon, thus all users have them at all pc's.

Here is the VB script we use, set it to run at user logon from within Active Directory Users and Computer.


On error resume next
Set objNetwork = Wscript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
objNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection "\\server1\printer1"
objNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection "\\server1\printer2"

objNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter "\\server1\printer1"


** You can also use objNetwork.RemovePrinterConnection should you wish to update printer listings in the future and need to move the printer from all users.

Robert Bentley

SynergyworksHosting.co.uk
"reliable services at realistic prices

 

[salv236]

The drivers are installed on the server, i would assume that this is a policy problem as the users can print from a windows 98 PC but not on a windows 2000 machine. You must have thought that the drivers are installed locally.

 

[patrichek]

not sure if this helps but i've had to manually start the spooler service on some of my w2k machines. go to cmd prompt type net start spooler, the printers should appear in a minute.

 

[GlenJohnson]

I've seen problems where the win98 machines can't see the printers because of the long names that were given the printers, but the w2k machines could see them. This is the first I've heard of it the other way around. Have you tried re-installing the printer on the server? Also, from explorer on w2k machines, you can type in

http://servername/printername,

and it will show up in the local printers. Worth a thought. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin/Central Florida feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.
TTinChicago
Johnson Computers