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Cannot Keep Default Printer Set

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7 replies

by sblades 1 view

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I have two users using XP who set their default printer to an HP printer, but everytime they shut down their laptops and come in the next day, the default printer goes back to a color Epson printer.

For some reason the default printer changes even though they have right-clicked on the HP and "Set as default printer." Any ideas would be appreciated.

7 replies

by 1stladytech

It sounds like the HP printer is on a network share, make sure the machine that it is shared to is brought up first in order to connect the printer at boot. Additionally, set the mapping on the printer to reconnect at logon. It sounds like the computers aren't finding the printer when they boot, so they default to the local or available printer share. Hope this helps,

Vickie

by jasonbis

Do you have Novell on your servers or do they have the Novell client on their laptops? There is a known conflict with the two and Novell supposedly has a fix for it. Let me know if you need it. jasonbis@yahoo.com

by mikex

To change the default printer, add the registry entry as shown below:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Under the HKEY_ CURRENT_USER subtree, go to the following subkey:

Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Add or edit the following registry entry

Device:REG_SZ:

where is the value that Print Manager would put in if this operation were done through Print Manager. It would resemble one of the following:

\\SERVER\HPLASER,winspool,Ne00: or DESKJET,winspool,LPT1:

The Ne00 is a network port and LPT1 a local port.

With some applications, the default printer is read at the time the application is started and you will need to close and restart the application for the new default printer to show.

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