Losing local port for printer


  1. Posts : 31
    Windows 7
       #1

    Losing local port for printer


    Hi,

    every now and then (more now than then ) I lose a printer that's configured with a local port to a server. I set that one up with add printer, then local port, new port "\\server\printer". Often when I try to use that printer again, I note it's greyed out, and markes as "Use offline". When I check properties, it's not bound to any port anymore. I can't from that dialog use "add port", because I get a message then, that the port already exists. So I gotta delete that port, and reassign the printer. That is quite annoying, being that this doesn't happen rarely, but more often.
    So, two questions: What was the mscsomething command, where I can see created local ports, to delete them? And, how can I stop Windows from losing the connection between that port and the printer?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #2

    anyone maybe has news on this ? It's still happening after every reboot...
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #3

    Hi there

    1) After a re-boot your machine might not be connected to the network - before trying to print make sure you can ping the remote machine / device. Sometimes - especially if you are printing from an XP machine it can take maybe 10 mins or so before all parts of a network can actually "see" each other. Make sure your Network discovery on W7 is not turned off as well.

    2) You don't have to delete and re-create the local port each time -- you can use an existing port.

    In the control panel ==> Devices and Printers you can see ports already defined in the add printer option.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I'm printing from windows 7 to a 2003 server. When I say I *lose* the port, I mean exactly that: in printmanagement.msc the port is gone. Or better, not visible. Because when I try to recreate it, I can't because windows says it's already there. I have to delete the printer, reboot several times, and somewhen I can recreate the port. Haven't figure what really gets rid of that nonvisible port then...

    Edit: Just found something out: When I create the port *before* I try printing to it, I can instantly create it, when I look at the printer then, it's still offline but connected to that port and I can switch it online. May have been just luck though, have to retry that a few times. Still, the port was lost again, and that was what not may happen...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Vista
       #5

    the problem is not related to windows 7 only , we are facing the same in win xp
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    that's strange... because my XP install before never had such a problem... btw, I solved that problem by using a USB to parallel converter...
      My Computer


 

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