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On this page:
Overview
Collect Printer Information
Configure

Overview

LPR provides an option for non-Kerberized printing (usually under special circumstances) to connect a Windows XP computer to an Athena printer in departments, labs, and centers.

LPR provides facilities for checking the status of print jobs in a print queue and for removing a job from the queue. For more information, see Printing From Athena - Basic Printing Commands.

Collect Printer Information

You will need to determine the name of your printer and print server before you can configure Windows XP for LPR.

The printer name can usually be obtained by using the printer's test page feature or by contacting your local network administrator. Once you know the printer name, you can easily determine the printer server name by looking it up in the hesiod database.

To Find Out the Printer Server Name for Your Printer Using Athena:

1. Log on to Athena using SecureCRT or similar software.
2. At the Athena command line, type the following:
     hesinfo name-of-printer pcap
   where name-of-printer is the name (e.g., nil) of your printer.
   
   Example: < hesinfo nil pcap
   
   Result: nil:rp=nil:rm=MULCH.MIT.EDU:sd=/usr/spool/printer/nil:ka#0:pc#0

Notes:

• In the example above, the printer name is "nil", and the name that follows "rm=" is the print server name: MULCH.MIT.EDU.
• If your printer is not listed in the hesiod database, see Set up Printer on MITnet or contact the Service Desk with questions.

Configure

Once you have learned the name of your printer and print server, you can begin configuring Windows XP for LPR.

Note: You must be logged on to Windows XP with Administrator privileges to complete the following procedure.

1. After logging on to Windows XP via an Administrator account, go to Start>Printers and Faxes.
   Result: The Printers and Faxes window appears.
   
2. From the Printer Tasks panel, choose Add a printer. When the Add Printer Wizard: Welcome dialog appears, click Next.
   Result: The Add Printer Wizard: Local or Network Printer window appears.
   
3. Do the following in this window:
   • Leave the default option for Local printer attached to this computer.
   • Uncheck the option to Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer.
     
4. When finished, click Next.
   Result: The Add Printer Wizard: Select a Printer Port window appears.
   
5. Select Create a new port, and choose LPR Port from the pull-down menu.
   
   Note: If LPR Port is not one of the options, you must install "Print Services for Unix" as follows:
   
   
   1. In Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs.
      Result: The Add or Remove Programs window appears.
   2. Click Add/Remove Windows Components.
      Result: The Windows Components window appears.
   3. In the scrolling list of items, highlight the entry for Other Network File and Print Services, but leave the checkbox blank. Then, click the Details button.
   4. When the details window for Other Network File and Print Services appears, select the Print Services for Unix checkbox.
   5. Click OK to close the details window.
   6. Depending on how Windows XP was installed on your computer, you may be prompted for the Windows XP CD. If so, insert the CD and follow the instructions provided to finish installing Print Services for Unix onto your computer.
   7. Click Next, then Finish to complete the installation.
   8. Return to Step 4 above.


6. Once the LPR Port option has been selected, click Next.
   Result: A window appears for entering a print server and printer (print queue) name.
7. Enter the print server name in the first field and the printer name in the second field. Use lower case, and include .mit.edu only as illustrated below. Then, click OK.
   
   Result: The Install Printer Software window appears.
8. In the Manufacturer window pane, select the manufacturer name (e.g., HP for Hewlett-Packard). In the Printers pane, select the exact printer model, then click Next.
   
   Note: For network printers, select the PostScript model of the printer (the model name ending in PS).
   
   If the exact model of your printer does not appear in the list, you will need to install the correct printer driver from the CD (that shipped with the printer) or download the driver from the manufacturer's web site. Use the Have Disk button to select the driver from the CD or from the location on your computer containing the downloaded driver.
   Result: The Name Your Printer window appears.
9. Name your printer or leave the default provided.
   
   Tip: Choose a name that will be easy for you to recognize, such as the official printer name (e.g., NIL) or the name of the building or room where the printer is located.
   
   Note: Depending on your system configuration, you may also see a Printer Sharing window. Unless you want other people to have access to your computer to send their print jobs, select Do not share this printer (if prompted). If you change your mind later, you can easily change this after the printer has been installed by right clicking on the printer and selecting Sharing...
10. Click Next. A window appears for printing a test page. Click Yes if you want to print a test page.
    Note: Your test page will not print until you click Finish during the next step.
    Result: The completion window summarizes your printer setup selections.
    
11. Verify your settings, then click Finish.
    Result: Your printer setup is now complete. Check the printer for the test page if you printed one.

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