Server 2008 +RDP+printer

[wirelessguy]

I have a customer that is running a HP6500a plus wirelessly on his network. He is connecting thru RDP to a server offsite. His printer is not showing up when he logs in to the server (2008). Does printer drivers have to be installed for his printer on the server he is connecting to? Any help would be appreciated. He is running XP sp3. I know there is a problem with dot4 printer redirecting to TS but since this is on a network, that should not apply.

thanks WG

[RicheemxX]

Does printer drivers have to be installed for his printer on the server he is connecting to?

Generally speaking yeah you have to install the drivers on any device that is trying to print to a printer even on a network with the exception of iPads/iPhones which would use Airprint but not if he's connecting through RDP.

First off he needs to make sure the printer is even connected to the network. I'd start by running the Wireless Setup Wizard from the printer. Once its connected he can then run the install software from the server. It should then be visible to at least the server. If he wants to print from any other devices on the wireless network the printer should show as a shared device and should install everything but he may still need to add the drivers to each manually.

If he's still having issues he can try the HP diagnostic tools

or checkout the HP sites suggestions

HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One Printer Series - Installing the Printer Software on a Wireless or Wired (Ethernet) Network


PS if this is your customer and you are getting paid for this support and this works I want my share

[RicheemxX]

Just out of curiosity why does he have it setup networked wirelessly then connected to a server and why is he trying to print through RDP? If he's trying to print from his local machine (and not off the server of course) it would be much easier to setup ePrint and send the project across that way.

He wouldn't have to remote into the server, add on whatever files then mess with printing. He could just email the files directly from the local machine to the printer via ePrint for printing.

[Steve R Jones]

Enabling "Fallback" printing in Group Policies on the server might/should help.

[wirelessguy]

Just out of curiosity why does he have it setup networked wirelessly then connected to a server and why is he trying to print through RDP? If he's trying to print from his local machine (and not off the server of course) it would be much easier to setup ePrint and send the project across that way.

He wouldn't have to remote into the server, add on whatever files then mess with printing. He could just email the files directly from the local machine to the printer via ePrint for printing.

the server, as stated in original post is located offsite. So he is using rdp to connect to the server to run quickbooks 2012 enterprise. The 6500a plus can be connected wirelessly, wired network or usb. he chose wirelessly.

[wirelessguy]

Generally speaking yeah you have to install the drivers on any device that is trying to print to a printer even on a network with the exception of iPads/iPhones which would use Airprint but not if he's connecting through RDP.

First off he needs to make sure the printer is even connected to the network. I'd start by running the Wireless Setup Wizard from the printer. Once its connected he can then run the install software from the server. It should then be visible to at least the server. If he wants to print from any other devices on the wireless network the printer should show as a shared device and should install everything but he may still need to add the drivers to each manually.

If he's still having issues he can try the HP diagnostic tools

or checkout the HP sites suggestions

HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One Printer Series - Installing the Printer Software on a Wireless or Wired (Ethernet) Network


PS if this is your customer and you are getting paid for this support and this works I want my share

it is already installed on his local network and working correctly. The printer is shared. it just does not show up on when he connects thru rdp. I havent seen any drivers for the printer for server 2008 . Possibly use windows 7 drivers? Will it install without the printer actually being there?

[Steve R Jones]

Enabling "Fallback" printing in Group Policies on the server might/should help.

Besides doing the fallback thing - on the Server 08 - Add printer - if you try to manually add the printer - click the Windows Update button to get a ton of additional drives.

[Nina Denial]

If you can't find printer drivers for server 2008, you can try software solution for printer redirection like FabulaTech Printer for Remote Desktop. It doesn't require to have printer drivers installed on the server and works with both RDP and ICA protocols.