Printer default settings in a Point & Print scenario (shared printing)

[scoobysteve]

Hi All,

I primarily work on Ricohs and every now and then come across a situation where workstations that connect to a shared printer off a server do not retain the default settings as per what has been set on the server under "printer properties"--> "Advanced" --> "Printing Defaults".

I dont know if other technicians that deal with other manufacturers come across these scenarios as well.

Is it more so a corruption with the OS on either server or workstation? i just find it difficult to comprehend how the driver could work fine in 95% of places i install drivers in a workstation/server environment and yet there is that small percentage where it just doesnt retain the default settings as per what has been set on the server.

anyhow your thoughts would be much appreciated. thanks.

[Choro1dal]

Typically in Windows OS print driver settings are stored in DEVMODE (registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Print\Printers\Printer Name\PrinterDriverData) most manufacturer's drivers have advanced settings which are not stored in DEVMODE, these will not be replicated in a point and print environment. (e.g. User ID, passwords, classification codes etc)

It's always worth checking the driver version installed as occasionally there are bug fixes to resolve similar issues.

I have also got into the habit of installing the print queue first, configuring the accessories and printing defaults, then sharing the queue. I have had quite a few occasions where sharing the printer before configuring the accessories and defaults have caused replication issues, particularly when listing in AD.