printer on remote desktop

I have a client using remote desktop to get onto their network at work.
Trouble im having is getting the local printer to print when they are using
the remote desktop.

The printer works fine locally, its a hp psc700 series all in one printer.
I made it shared then tried to find it (with the add printer wizard) on the
remote network but couldn't get it to find it.

 

Making it shared does not enumerate the device on your remote site. If the remote site uses WINS, you can add an entry.

But why not just set the remote desktop client to enumerate local devices, including your printer, and select it?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312135

Problems occur when the local printer is connected using USB or DOT4.
The solution you have already half done:
. Create a share for the printer
. Create a local MAPPING to the SHARE for the printer. Assign it to LPT2: (there is a reason for this choice).
. Set your local default printer to the SHARE on lpt2:

Windows does not care that the printer is physicly connected to your USB port. Printing to the SHARE on LPT2: will access the printer. (and make it available under Remote Desktop).

 

Thanks for the link, Bill, I'll try that.

If the printer box is checked on remote desktop options and it's still not working, i have some questions.

It probably is a usb printer. Im not sure I fully understand the printer mapping and how to do it. Do i make the name LPT2 instead of what I have?
I dont think that's it. or do i check the LPT2 box on ports (and that doesnt sound right either).

I went to the help on my XP machine (the person im helping is running 2000
pro) but couldn't find anything except about mapping a drive which is not applicable for this.

Thanks in advance.

 

Since you have already shared this locally attached printer, you need to do one more step.

Start, Printers and Faxes, and click on Add a printer on the left.
Click Next at the start page.
Click "A network printer attached to the network or another computer. "
On the next page, click "Browse for this printer" and click Next.
Your local printer as a shared printer should appear on the list. Select it. Click Next.
Choose any port other than USB or TCP. It does not matter what you choose (as long as you have nothing on that physical port). Click next and follow the prompts to conclusion.

When asked if you want to set it as the default printer, say yes.

XP does not care that the port you chose (LPT2: as I suggested) does not have a physical printer connected there. Since it is a Network printer, it wants a "logical" and not a "physical" port assignment. And since you have set it to your Default printer, no Windows application will have any issue with it either.

And neither will Remote Desktop.

Just remember that you are printing to a network printer, and not a physical printer. Always choose the Network printer and not the physical printer. Even though the printer is connected to your workstation.

Test it.

 

Almost there...

I have the same problem. I followed the instructions, but the documents (even the test page)won't print unless I go back over to my local machine and change the port back to the DOT port. The documents sit in the queue with an error message until I make the change then they print. I have the same problem when I try to print from my local machine. The problem seems to be in the port selection. I need a port type that will allow the printer to get pulled over to the remote session AND print on my local machine. Should I make a new port?

Thanks for your help!
ouraycpa