win2k print server with win xp clients

[brad]

i have a win2k print server that i have just built, my
problem is that in addition to my win 2k clients i also
have some winXP Pro clients. when i go to the additional
driver tab on my printers i only can install drivers for
os's older then win2k i am wondering if there is a way to
add winxp as a choice in the additional drivers window.

 

[Alan Morris\(MSFT\)]

If you manage the server remotely using an XP client you will see that the
XP driver is listed. The UI on Windows 2000 does not have XP in the string
definitions.

The drivers are the same version and if you have service pack 4 for Win2k
the core driver files are build off the XP drivers.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Bruce Sanderson]

To add to what Alan said, depending on what version of the printer drivers
you installed on the Windows 2000 computer, the may or may not work with
Windows XP clients.

From an XP client:

1. click Start, Run and key \\ followed by the print server's name (e.g.
\\printserver), then press Enter
2. in the Explorer window that opens, click on "Printers and Faxes" at the
bottom of the list of printers
3. now you are looking at the Printers folder on the Windows 2000 computer;
click File, Server Properties, Drivers

If the "version" is "Windows 2000 or XP" this is a "Version 3" printer
driver and should work for Windows XP clients without any further action on
your part. If the "Version" is "Windows NT 4.0 or 2000", this is a "Version
2" printer driver that quite likely won't work well with the XP clients. I
suggest you see if the printer manufacturer's web site has an updated
Windows 2000 driver. Alternatively, you may find that the "Windows XP"
driver will install and work correctly on the Windows 2000 computer.

See also http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/AddDrivertoOldOS.htm and
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterNoPP.htm.