Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Amrit Kohli
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Amrit Kohli

Guest
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Hey guys,

Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need the
NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a shared
printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for whatever
reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me. I
searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the files on
the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most of the
files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386 subdirectory,
like there are on the previous version of Windows.

So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF file for
Windows Vista 32-bit?

Thanks,

Amrit Kohli

"Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:

> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall size of CD
> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I suspect.
> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't have an
> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway, and have
> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval versions, which
> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy about where
> they come from.
>
> --
> Charlie.
> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>
> TMiller wrote:
> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you need it
> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files are
> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they even need
> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and pass it on
> > to the appropiate client.
> >
> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to make you
> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install drivers for
> > multiple platforms.
> >
> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has always
> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS architecture
> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86. They are
> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they be?
> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at all
> >> suprised they aren't.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Charlie.
> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >>
> >> TMiller wrote:
> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a disk.
> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then asks me
> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the NTPRINTER.inf
> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003 assuming that
> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I agree with
> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit driver
> >>> for a specific printer.
> >>>
> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't make it
> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and you've
> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
> >>>>
> >>>> --
> >>>> Charlie.
> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>
>
>
 
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

The files are not flat on the DVD. You can only get the 32bit ntprint.inf
from a machine that has the 32bit OS installed.

\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository

--
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.

"Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9A71449C-0D09-4DAA-9FCB-57743CC2626C@microsoft.com...
> Hey guys,
>
> Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need the
> NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a
> shared
> printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for whatever
> reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me. I
> searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the files
> on
> the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most of the
> files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386
> subdirectory,
> like there are on the previous version of Windows.
>
> So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF file for
> Windows Vista 32-bit?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Amrit Kohli
>
> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>
>> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall size of
>> CD
>> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I
>> suspect.
>> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't have an
>> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway, and
>> have
>> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval versions,
>> which
>> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy about
>> where
>> they come from.
>>
>> --
>> Charlie.
>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>>
>> TMiller wrote:
>> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you need it
>> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files are
>> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they even
>> > need
>> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and pass it
>> > on
>> > to the appropiate client.
>> >
>> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to make
>> > you
>> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install drivers
>> > for
>> > multiple platforms.
>> >
>> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
>> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has always
>> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS
>> >> architecture
>> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86. They are
>> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they be?
>> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at all
>> >> suprised they aren't.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Charlie.
>> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >>
>> >> TMiller wrote:
>> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a disk.
>> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then asks
>> >>> me
>> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the NTPRINTER.inf
>> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003 assuming
>> >>> that
>> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I agree
>> >>> with
>> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit
>> >>> driver
>> >>> for a specific printer.
>> >>>
>> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't make it
>> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and you've
>> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> --
>> >>>> Charlie.
>> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>>
>>
>>
 
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Alan,

Thanks for your response.

I think it's really silly that you can't get the ntprint.inf files from the
installation disc of the 32-bit operating system. Why did Microsoft decide
to do that? I own both the 64-bit and 32-bit installation disc, so I should
be able to access the drivers I need.

I was able to resolve my issue, however, because as it turns out, my laptop
with 32-bit Vista arrived today and that worked out. It just seems really
silly to not have another way to do this.

Amrit

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> The files are not flat on the DVD. You can only get the 32bit ntprint.inf
> from a machine that has the 32bit OS installed.
>
> \windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository
>
> --
> 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.
>
> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9A71449C-0D09-4DAA-9FCB-57743CC2626C@microsoft.com...
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need the
> > NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a
> > shared
> > printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for whatever
> > reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me. I
> > searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the files
> > on
> > the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most of the
> > files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386
> > subdirectory,
> > like there are on the previous version of Windows.
> >
> > So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF file for
> > Windows Vista 32-bit?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Amrit Kohli
> >
> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall size of
> >> CD
> >> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I
> >> suspect.
> >> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't have an
> >> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway, and
> >> have
> >> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval versions,
> >> which
> >> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy about
> >> where
> >> they come from.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Charlie.
> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >>
> >> TMiller wrote:
> >> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you need it
> >> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files are
> >> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they even
> >> > need
> >> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and pass it
> >> > on
> >> > to the appropiate client.
> >> >
> >> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to make
> >> > you
> >> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install drivers
> >> > for
> >> > multiple platforms.
> >> >
> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
> >> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has always
> >> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS
> >> >> architecture
> >> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86. They are
> >> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they be?
> >> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at all
> >> >> suprised they aren't.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Charlie.
> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >> >>
> >> >> TMiller wrote:
> >> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a disk.
> >> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then asks
> >> >>> me
> >> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the NTPRINTER.inf
> >> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003 assuming
> >> >>> that
> >> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I agree
> >> >>> with
> >> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit
> >> >>> driver
> >> >>> for a specific printer.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't make it
> >> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and you've
> >> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> --
> >> >>>> Charlie.
> >> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
 
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Yes I totally agree. Our Program Management team are working on this along
other channels. The print team got shot down on this one.

Now that you have the fileset installed, copy them to a file share
someplace.

You need ntprint as well as all the prn??? directories.

--
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.

"Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:87355FD9-C780-4FFD-9DD7-78110D3BAEB3@microsoft.com...
> Alan,
>
> Thanks for your response.
>
> I think it's really silly that you can't get the ntprint.inf files from
> the
> installation disc of the 32-bit operating system. Why did Microsoft
> decide
> to do that? I own both the 64-bit and 32-bit installation disc, so I
> should
> be able to access the drivers I need.
>
> I was able to resolve my issue, however, because as it turns out, my
> laptop
> with 32-bit Vista arrived today and that worked out. It just seems really
> silly to not have another way to do this.
>
> Amrit
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> The files are not flat on the DVD. You can only get the 32bit
>> ntprint.inf
>> from a machine that has the 32bit OS installed.
>>
>> \windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository
>>
>> --
>> 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.
>>
>> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:9A71449C-0D09-4DAA-9FCB-57743CC2626C@microsoft.com...
>> > Hey guys,
>> >
>> > Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need the
>> > NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a
>> > shared
>> > printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for
>> > whatever
>> > reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me. I
>> > searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the
>> > files
>> > on
>> > the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most of
>> > the
>> > files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386
>> > subdirectory,
>> > like there are on the previous version of Windows.
>> >
>> > So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF file
>> > for
>> > Windows Vista 32-bit?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Amrit Kohli
>> >
>> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall size
>> >> of
>> >> CD
>> >> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I
>> >> suspect.
>> >> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't have
>> >> an
>> >> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway, and
>> >> have
>> >> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval versions,
>> >> which
>> >> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy about
>> >> where
>> >> they come from.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Charlie.
>> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >>
>> >> TMiller wrote:
>> >> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you need
>> >> > it
>> >> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files
>> >> > are
>> >> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they even
>> >> > need
>> >> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and pass
>> >> > it
>> >> > on
>> >> > to the appropiate client.
>> >> >
>> >> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to
>> >> > make
>> >> > you
>> >> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install
>> >> > drivers
>> >> > for
>> >> > multiple platforms.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
>> >> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has
>> >> >> always
>> >> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS
>> >> >> architecture
>> >> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86. They
>> >> >> are
>> >> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they be?
>> >> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at all
>> >> >> suprised they aren't.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Charlie.
>> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >> >>
>> >> >> TMiller wrote:
>> >> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a disk.
>> >> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then
>> >> >>> asks
>> >> >>> me
>> >> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the
>> >> >>> NTPRINTER.inf
>> >> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003 assuming
>> >> >>> that
>> >> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I agree
>> >> >>> with
>> >> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit
>> >> >>> driver
>> >> >>> for a specific printer.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't make
>> >> >>>> it
>> >> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and
>> >> >>>> you've
>> >> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> --
>> >> >>>> Charlie.
>> >> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Alan,

Glad to hear someone out there is listening and advocating for common sense.

Well, I did copy all the entire ntprint.*** directory along with the inf
file and it installed the additional x86 drivers on my 64-bit box. However,
when I go to add that printer on the 32-bit Vista box, it errors out when it
attempts to aquire the drivers from the 64-bit box. I'm not at the computer
at this moment, so when I get home tonight, I'll write again and respond with
the details of the error. Maybe you can help me figure that out.

Thanks for your response and help.

Amrit

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> Yes I totally agree. Our Program Management team are working on this along
> other channels. The print team got shot down on this one.
>
> Now that you have the fileset installed, copy them to a file share
> someplace.
>
> You need ntprint as well as all the prn??? directories.
>
> --
> 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.
>
> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:87355FD9-C780-4FFD-9DD7-78110D3BAEB3@microsoft.com...
> > Alan,
> >
> > Thanks for your response.
> >
> > I think it's really silly that you can't get the ntprint.inf files from
> > the
> > installation disc of the 32-bit operating system. Why did Microsoft
> > decide
> > to do that? I own both the 64-bit and 32-bit installation disc, so I
> > should
> > be able to access the drivers I need.
> >
> > I was able to resolve my issue, however, because as it turns out, my
> > laptop
> > with 32-bit Vista arrived today and that worked out. It just seems really
> > silly to not have another way to do this.
> >
> > Amrit
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> The files are not flat on the DVD. You can only get the 32bit
> >> ntprint.inf
> >> from a machine that has the 32bit OS installed.
> >>
> >> \windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository
> >>
> >> --
> >> 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.
> >>
> >> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:9A71449C-0D09-4DAA-9FCB-57743CC2626C@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hey guys,
> >> >
> >> > Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need the
> >> > NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a
> >> > shared
> >> > printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for
> >> > whatever
> >> > reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me. I
> >> > searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the
> >> > files
> >> > on
> >> > the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most of
> >> > the
> >> > files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386
> >> > subdirectory,
> >> > like there are on the previous version of Windows.
> >> >
> >> > So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF file
> >> > for
> >> > Windows Vista 32-bit?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >> >
> >> > Amrit Kohli
> >> >
> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall size
> >> >> of
> >> >> CD
> >> >> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I
> >> >> suspect.
> >> >> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't have
> >> >> an
> >> >> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway, and
> >> >> have
> >> >> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval versions,
> >> >> which
> >> >> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy about
> >> >> where
> >> >> they come from.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Charlie.
> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >> >>
> >> >> TMiller wrote:
> >> >> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you need
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files
> >> >> > are
> >> >> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they even
> >> >> > need
> >> >> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and pass
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > to the appropiate client.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to
> >> >> > make
> >> >> > you
> >> >> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install
> >> >> > drivers
> >> >> > for
> >> >> > multiple platforms.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
> >> >> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has
> >> >> >> always
> >> >> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS
> >> >> >> architecture
> >> >> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86. They
> >> >> >> are
> >> >> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they be?
> >> >> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at all
> >> >> >> suprised they aren't.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Charlie.
> >> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> TMiller wrote:
> >> >> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a disk.
> >> >> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then
> >> >> >>> asks
> >> >> >>> me
> >> >> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the
> >> >> >>> NTPRINTER.inf
> >> >> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003 assuming
> >> >> >>> that
> >> >> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I agree
> >> >> >>> with
> >> >> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit
> >> >> >>> driver
> >> >> >>> for a specific printer.
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't make
> >> >> >>>> it
> >> >> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and
> >> >> >>>> you've
> >> >> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
> >> >> >>>>
> >> >> >>>> --
> >> >> >>>> Charlie.
> >> >> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
 
Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

Re: Printer Manager and 32bit drivers

If the x64 driver ships in Vista there should not be a need to add the 32bit
driver since the Vista client will install the driver from the local 32bit
driver store.

If the driver does not ship in Vista, the driver name for the x64 driver
must exactly match the driver name used for the 32bit driver. If they do
not match, you cannot make an RPC connection to the printer share. You
would have to fall back to an SMB connection using \\server\share as the
Local Port name.



--
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.

"Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E371549A-2B88-4184-B61A-A8310964125D@microsoft.com...
> Alan,
>
> Glad to hear someone out there is listening and advocating for common
> sense.
>
> Well, I did copy all the entire ntprint.*** directory along with the inf
> file and it installed the additional x86 drivers on my 64-bit box.
> However,
> when I go to add that printer on the 32-bit Vista box, it errors out when
> it
> attempts to aquire the drivers from the 64-bit box. I'm not at the
> computer
> at this moment, so when I get home tonight, I'll write again and respond
> with
> the details of the error. Maybe you can help me figure that out.
>
> Thanks for your response and help.
>
> Amrit
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> Yes I totally agree. Our Program Management team are working on this
>> along
>> other channels. The print team got shot down on this one.
>>
>> Now that you have the fileset installed, copy them to a file share
>> someplace.
>>
>> You need ntprint as well as all the prn??? directories.
>>
>> --
>> 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.
>>
>> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:87355FD9-C780-4FFD-9DD7-78110D3BAEB3@microsoft.com...
>> > Alan,
>> >
>> > Thanks for your response.
>> >
>> > I think it's really silly that you can't get the ntprint.inf files from
>> > the
>> > installation disc of the 32-bit operating system. Why did Microsoft
>> > decide
>> > to do that? I own both the 64-bit and 32-bit installation disc, so I
>> > should
>> > be able to access the drivers I need.
>> >
>> > I was able to resolve my issue, however, because as it turns out, my
>> > laptop
>> > with 32-bit Vista arrived today and that worked out. It just seems
>> > really
>> > silly to not have another way to do this.
>> >
>> > Amrit
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The files are not flat on the DVD. You can only get the 32bit
>> >> ntprint.inf
>> >> from a machine that has the 32bit OS installed.
>> >>
>> >> \windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> 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.
>> >>
>> >> "Amrit Kohli" <AmritKohli@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:9A71449C-0D09-4DAA-9FCB-57743CC2626C@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hey guys,
>> >> >
>> >> > Well, my problem is that I have Vista 64-bit installed and I need
>> >> > the
>> >> > NTPRINT.INF file from Vista 32-bit to install my 32-bit driver for a
>> >> > shared
>> >> > printer. I have both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista discs, but for
>> >> > whatever
>> >> > reason, neither of them have the NTPRINT.INF file available to me.
>> >> > I
>> >> > searched for the file on the disc and I searched the contents of the
>> >> > files
>> >> > on
>> >> > the disc, and nothing turned up. I think Microsoft has hidden most
>> >> > of
>> >> > the
>> >> > files used by the OS on the DVD for Vista. There isn't an i386
>> >> > subdirectory,
>> >> > like there are on the previous version of Windows.
>> >> >
>> >> > So, my question remains...how do I get a copy of the NTPRINT.INF
>> >> > file
>> >> > for
>> >> > Windows Vista 32-bit?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks,
>> >> >
>> >> > Amrit Kohli
>> >> >
>> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Actually, it has more to do with what's on the CD and the overall
>> >> >> size
>> >> >> of
>> >> >> CD
>> >> >> images, and not creating confusion about which one to use where, I
>> >> >> suspect.
>> >> >> And in the vast majority of enterprise environments, you wouldn't
>> >> >> have
>> >> >> an
>> >> >> issue at all, since they are generally on volume licensing anyway,
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> have
>> >> >> access to the media one way or another. Or you can use eval
>> >> >> versions,
>> >> >> which
>> >> >> are downloadable, or TechNet/MSDN versions, etc. It isn't fussy
>> >> >> about
>> >> >> where
>> >> >> they come from.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Charlie.
>> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >> >>
>> >> >> TMiller wrote:
>> >> >> > So you need the entire OS to install a printer driver? All you
>> >> >> > need
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > the printer subsystem for each version. How many "Windows" files
>> >> >> > are
>> >> >> > referenced by a printer driver? 10, 15, 20? It isn't like they
>> >> >> > even
>> >> >> > need
>> >> >> > to be able to use that driver, just install and manage it and
>> >> >> > pass
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > to the appropiate client.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I guess this really isn't much of a "feature" as a sales tool to
>> >> >> > make
>> >> >> > you
>> >> >> > buy a server product you don't really need so you can install
>> >> >> > drivers
>> >> >> > for
>> >> >> > multiple platforms.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> I didn't miss your point. No, it does not, nor has it ever had,
>> >> >> >> ntprinter.inf for any architecture other than its own. That has
>> >> >> >> always
>> >> >> >> been the case for NT/2000/2003. It used to happen with MIPS
>> >> >> >> architecture
>> >> >> >> servers, then Alphas, then Itanium, and now x64 back to x86.
>> >> >> >> They
>> >> >> >> are
>> >> >> >> different architectures. They aren't all on the CD. Should they
>> >> >> >> be?
>> >> >> >> Well, I suppose one could ask for it, but ultimately I'm not at
>> >> >> >> all
>> >> >> >> suprised they aren't.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> Charlie.
>> >> >> >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> TMiller wrote:
>> >> >> >>> I think you are missing my point. I have the 32 driver on a
>> >> >> >>> disk.
>> >> >> >>> When I Add Driver, it process the files from the disk and then
>> >> >> >>> asks
>> >> >> >>> me
>> >> >> >>> for the x86 version of NTPRINTER.inf. I think the the
>> >> >> >>> NTPRINTER.inf
>> >> >> >>> should be installed by default on the 64 version of 2003
>> >> >> >>> assuming
>> >> >> >>> that
>> >> >> >>> I will want both 32 and 64 bit printer drivers installed. I
>> >> >> >>> agree
>> >> >> >>> with
>> >> >> >>> you completely that it is up to me to actually supply the 32bit
>> >> >> >>> driver
>> >> >> >>> for a specific printer.
>> >> >> >>>
>> >> >> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" wrote:
>> >> >> >>>
>> >> >> >>>> This has always been the way it is, I'm afraid. They don't
>> >> >> >>>> make
>> >> >> >>>> it
>> >> >> >>>> particularly easy to add drivers for other architectures, and
>> >> >> >>>> you've
>> >> >> >>>> always had to have the appropriate disks available.
>> >> >> >>>>
>> >> >> >>>> --
>> >> >> >>>> Charlie.
>> >> >> >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 
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