I have 12 computers on my LAN that are dedicated to training. Each computer is running Windows 2000 and eight of them have printers attached as local printers on LPT1. The printers are of mixed manufacturer and models. There are two login accounts on each computer, “Administrator” and “User”.
In order to conserve space and make more efficient use of the printers, I would like to share one printer with two computers as the default printer for each and have it immediately available on boot-up.
When I log on as “Administrator” and follow the instructions outlined in Windows Help for Printer Sharing, which are too lengthy to present here, I can designate a printer on another computer as the default printer and that designation will remain through boot-ups and log-ins. When I log on as “User” and follow the same instructions, I am NOT allowed to designate the printer on the same computer as the local default printer. Additionally, when I do a search for the computer, sign-on as administrator, connect the printer, and set it as the default printer to this computer it is only valid until I reboot or log-off and log back in. The designated printer is shown in the Printers Folder as the default, but if you send a job to the printer it never prints, and I have to repeat the search again.
I desire to be able to log-on as “User” and have the default printer be connected and able to print without having to do the search thing. Where am I going wrong?