Printing FAQ
Windows Printing FAQ
Q: Why are printers that perform duplex printing set by default to only print single sided?
A: After much debate, it was decided by several support groups that it is best to use the default of single sided as our standard. By default, when you create a print queue, even if it is defined as duplex, the standard Microsoft installation software will default to single sided.
When selecting double sided print outs, you have the choice of flipping printing on either the ‘Long Edge’ or ‘Short Edge’. Each
individual user may have a different preference.
In the near future, we are also planning on accommodating our UNIX customers that use LPR. In many cases, LPR users can not specify to print single or duplex. For Unix LPR customers, we have to create different print queues. To be consistent with UNIX Printer Server FNPRT, we are making the default
queue single sided.
For Windows users, once you define a queue connection, you can change the default setting to be duplex, and then all print requests you make will be
performed in duplex mode.
Q: How come when I change my default setting for a printer, the settings don't stay?
A: In most cases if you set the printer properties through your application (e.g. Word or Excel), the settings are only for the duration for the session with that particular application. To make setting permanent and for all your applications, use the ‘Printer and Faxes’ GUI interface from the Control panel.
Q: Who can I call when I have problems with a printer?
A: You should check with your local desktop support group as they may have designated personnel to assist in printer issues. If you do not have a local
support group, please contact service desk. Please note that if this is after hours, individual printer support is not
available, and your problem will be addressed the next business day. In these cases, you may have to use a different printer in your area.
Q: I am using the 64 bit version of (XP or Windows Vista). Can I use the Window Printer Server Fermi-WPRT?
A: By default, we do not automatically install the 64bit version of print drivers. In some cases, the vendor does not supply 64bit versions for their printers. If there is a set of printers you wish to use, and the 64bit version is not already installed, simply put in a service desk request. If we can locate the driver, we will install it on the server.
Q: I tried using IPP, but I cannot connect
to the printer?
A: The IPP interface is provided by Microsoft as a free add-on, but the product
does not come with standard support. Because of the way some vendors code their
drivers, Microsoft cannot guarantee that the IPP software they provide will
work with all printers. We have run across a small subset of printers that do
not work, and we continue to work with the vendors to get updated drivers that
will work under the IPP protocol.
UNIX Printing FAQ
Q:What is the URL for the web interface of the UNIX Printer Server FNPRT?
A: http://fnprt.fnal.gov:631/
Q: I submit my job with the correct print queue name, yet it says that I have the wrong print
queue.
A: Ensure the print queue is in lower case. All print queues are in lower case.
Q:Where can I find a listing of all the printcap files?
A: Printcap Text
Q:I submitted a job and it is not printing, what can I do?
A: Look in the web interface
(click on the appropriate print queue, you will see your job there)
and see if there is a problem with the printer.
If the job appears to be stuck contact the service desk (x2345) to cancel the job
Q:How come when I click cancel on my own job I get prompted
for a username and password? Which username/password should I use?
A: This is only for administrators to use. The service desk
has the appropriate permission to stop/start/cancel jobs.
Q:Are there statistics on how many jobs are printed?
A: Statistics may be found at:
http://computing.fnal.gov/printing/stats/daily-stats.html
Q:Why doesn't my job print?
A: Please keep in mind that print queues
are case sensitive. If you print to a queue that is in all caps and does
not have any "_" in the print queue name. It will not print as that probably
is not the correct print queue. Please see the
Printcap Text for a listing of all the print queues available.
Q:FTP is not installed on the new print server, so how do
I obtain the listing of queues like I did before?
A: There's two ways to obtain the listing of print queues
available -
1) Use wget then rename the file appropriately
2) Obtain the script in AFS that is part of the Perl package. It's called lwp-download
http://www.fnal.gov/docs/products/perl/man/lwp-download.1.html
lwp-download -a http://fnprt.fnal.gov:631/flpr-defaults.txt
