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Capturing Printer Port

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9 replies

by nrodriguez

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I have old DOS programs. I need to capture a printer port (Ex. LPT3) and map it to \\server\laser.

I have looked everywhere. I don't have an option to capture a port when I install the printer. Is there something else I need to install? Did Windows 2000 drop the capture port feature?

I am pretty sure I can you the net use LPT3 \\server\laser but I don't want to have to write login scripts. TOO MANY cliets for that. --- Policies are not an option....

9 replies

by emcs

Remember to backup registry before making any changes.

Use Regedt32 to navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port

Double-click the Driver value name in the right hand pane and change the string value to localspl.dll. Press OK and exit Regedt32.

Stop and restart the Spooler service for this change to take effect.

You should now see ports LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, LPT4, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, and FILE.

Good luck.

dennie

by daveains

Believe it or not, step by step instructions are in the Help under Printer Troubleshooting :) I just looked at them today while I was fixing a print problem in the office on Win2KServer and Pro. They were under one of the problem descriptions regarding "print job gets deleted automatically" I think. I'd cut and paste them but I don't have 2K at home :(
Good luck,
Dave

by bowieb

Hmmm...apparently it IS in the help! :)

You can do it, but you have to use DOS commands. Go to a DOS prompt and do this:

net use lpt3: \\server\laser /persistent:yes

by astrid

TOO MANY cliets for that : I don't understand this statement. I do not use w2k yet but I would assume net use it definately there. The script would not need to be added to each client machine. I assume that they run a logon script when authenticating to the domain. So just add the line to the loggon script. it is no different to mapping drives. If my answer sounds stupid please tell me as it means I do not understand your environment.

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