(text in italics is under revision late Nov 2010)
When you create a "printer" (a print queue) on a Windows Server, you need to set its properties correctly, because these properties are passed down to the client computers printing to this queue, and the clients cannot override many of these properties. (Unlike in iPrint, where the local printer definition could override any properties of the printer.) This document explains some of the default printer properties that we have to change. (Right-click a printer and choose Properties.)
Many of the settings that follow are specific to the printer driver in use for each device. Anytime you're not seeing what is described here, use the Apply button to make your last changes effective, then look again.
Printer driver: Xerox Global Print Driver (X-GPD) PostScript
Current version: 5.1.185.1900, dated October 28, 2010
(32- and 64-bit, PCL6 and 5 versions available but PostScript works better with Adobe apps, )
On all Xerox devices, we are using the latest Xerox Global Print Driver PS (PS = PostScript), with its ability to dynamically detect the printer's features using Bi-Directional communication (via SNMP). Therefore, the first settings to check are that Bi-Di is on, the model was detected correctly, and the printer features were detected correctly. On the Configuration tab, except for the WorkCentre 7132 model, under the Bi-Directional Setup button, make sure Communication: is set to Automatic, the Refresh Rate is 2.0 minutes, and Job Notification is Off. If these are not correct, make these changes and use the Apply button, and then continue. On the Options tab, except for the WorkCentre 7132 model, under Device Options, Configuration: the model should have been detected correctly. If so, back on the Configuration tab, choose the Installable Options button to see what features were detected; these will be grayed out, because Bi-Di is on and so these features are detected automatically.
If a printer is Offline (turned off or disconnected from the network), Bi-Di communication is not going to work and so printer features and defaults cannot be set correctly. You have to get the printer back online and seen by the server before you can continue. If a duplexer or tray is not being detected correctly, it's usually a physical problem: check that the duplexing unit or tray is installed and seated correctly.
Xerox WorkCentre 7132 exception
This model of printer cannot be detected by the Xerox Global Print Driver (X-GPD), so we have to set its features manually. First, on the Configuration tab, Bi-Di must be off, the Refresh Rate won't matter, and Job Notification should be off. Next, on the Options tab, under Device Options, choose the dropdown listbox next to Configuration and select Xerox WorkCentre 7232. After applying this change, back on the Configuration tab, use the Installable Options button to set the features for this particular device. For most 7132s on campus, the correct features are: Paper Trays: 4; High Capacity Feeder: Not Installed; Finisher/Output Tray: Integrated Office Finisher; Hole Punch Unit: Not Installed; LAN Fax: Not Installed.
X-GPD Printer (driver) defaults
Once the printer driver, model, communications, and features are set correctly, then you can select printer default settings, which have to be set in two places. First, on the Advanced Tab, we do not change any of these settings except: for GoPrint-managed printers. as in the SCIC, turn off "Enable advanced printing features". (For all printers not managed by GoPrint, leave this on for extra functionality.) Now, from the Advanced tab, choose the Printer Defaults button. The dialog boxes you see here from here on are driver-specific; for the X-GPD driver, you see 4 tabs. Choose the Advanced tab and expand the settings under Document Options-> Paper/Output. If there is a setting for Banner Page, turn it off; if there is a setting for Job Identification, change it to Disable Job ID (which turns the banner page off).
Now, choose the Paper/Output tab. In the Paper: textbox, if the first setting is "Mixed Size Output", then you won't be able to change the duplex (2-Sided) setting, so we'll fix the Paper size first: using the big dropdown button next to Paper:, choose Other Size..., then from the Output Paper Size: dropdown, choose Letter, then OK. Once the Paper: textbox no longer says "Mixed Size Output", you have the option to change the duplex default: under 2-Sided Printing, choose 2-Sided Print. It is appropriate to set duplex as the default for all SCIC printers, and for any other printer whose Comments textbox on the General tab ends with a notation that this printer should be set to duplex by default. (That choice was made by the printer operator.)
Another choice made by the printer operator is, for color devices, whether the default output should be color or black and white. If the operator prefers this print queue to default to black and white (b&w), that will be noted at the end of the Comments textbox on the General tab. (Sometimes, there will be a BLDGRoom-Model queue for b&w, and another BLDGRoom-Color-Model queue for color printing.) You set this under the Printing Defaults on the Color Options tab, which normally defaults to Automatic Color (Recommended) for color-capable devices.
The second place you have to check/set all these printer defaults is the Printing Preferences button on the General tab. These should now match what you set as the Printer Defaults from the Advanced tab; if not, fix them.
Printer driver: HP Universal Printing Driver (HPUPD) PCL6
Current version: 6.1..., dated August 31, 2010
(32- and 64-bit, PostScript and PCL5 versions available but HP printers use PostScript emulations that don't always work with Adobe apps, earliest LaserJet model supported is 4100, not 4, 5M, 4050)
Installing the HP Universal Print Driver (HPUPD) has a few side effects. First, it can install two new services on the client computer which are set to load on startup:
These services would work fine if set to Manual start instead. I could create a rollout to do this, but I have no plans to do so at this time. (The 30+ “Printers for DEPT Windows” Kscripts I’ve created do change these services to manual, and also perform the detection described next.)
Second, the HPUPD does not correctly detect a printer’s features (memory, duplex, trays, etc.) until it has communicated with the printer once. I tried to run this detection when I installed the driver on each printer, but of course it didn’t work if the printer was off. I’ll try this again next week during the day, but until this runs once for each networked printer, the configuration may not match the printer’s features. You can force this detection on a Windows client: select the printer in the Printers folder and choose Properties; on the Device Settings tab, scroll down and expand Installable Options, then change the Automatic Configuration dropdown to Update Now. It will immediately try to contact the printer and adjust the configuration, which you’ll see in a popup progress dialog.
HPUPD Printer (driver) defaults
Once the printer driver, model, communications, and features are set correctly, then you can select printer default settings, which have to be set in two places. First, on the Advanced Tab, we do not change any of these settings except: for GoPrint-managed printers. as in the SCIC, turn off "Enable advanced printing features". (For all printers not managed by GoPrint, leave this on for extra functionality.) Now, from the Advanced tab, choose the Printer Defaults button.
The dialog boxes you see here from here on are driver-specific; for the HPUPD driver, you see ?? tabs. Choose the Advanced tab and expand the settings under Document Options-> Paper/Output. If there is a setting for Banner Page, turn it off; if there is a setting for Job Identification, change it to Disable Job ID (which turns the banner page off).
Now, choose the Paper/Output tab. In the Paper: textbox, if the first setting is "Mixed Size Output", then you won't be able to change the duplex (2-Sided) setting, so we'll fix the Paper size first: using the big dropdown button next to Paper:, choose Other Size..., then from the Output Paper Size: dropdown, choose Letter, then OK. Once the Paper: textbox no longer says "Mixed Size Output", you have the option to change the duplex default: under 2-Sided Printing, choose 2-Sided Print. It is appropriate to set duplex as the default for all SCIC printers, and for any other printer whose Comments textbox on the General tab ends with a notation that this printer should be set to duplex by default. (That choice was made by the printer operator.)
Another choice made by the printer operator is, for color devices, whether the default output should be color or black and white. If the operator prefers this print queue to default to black and white (b&w), that will be noted at the end of the Comments textbox on the General tab. (Sometimes, there will be a BLDGRoom-Model queue for b&w, and another BLDGRoom-Color-Model queue for color printing.) You set this under the Printing Defaults on the Color Options tab, which normally defaults to Automatic Color (Recommended) for color-capable devices.
The second place you have to check/set all these printer defaults is the Printing Preferences button on the General tab. These should now match what you set as the Printer Defaults from the Advanced tab; if not, fix them.
(Not yet finished...)
Disclaimer: This information was correct as of when it was created based on Sande's best knowledge. If this page has been edited by anyone else, Sande is not responsible for the accuracy of the information.