Local network printer drivers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joel Konkle-Parker
  • Start date Start date
J

Joel Konkle-Parker

I'm on a workstation that connects to a central network printer through
TCP/IP (a Lexmark Optra SC 1275). Do I need to download drivers from
Lexmark and install them on my local machine? Or do network printers
have some method of delivering the correct drivers to connecting computers?
 
Joel Konkle-Parker said:
I'm on a workstation that connects to a central network printer through
TCP/IP (a Lexmark Optra SC 1275). Do I need to download drivers from
Lexmark and install them on my local machine? Or do network printers
have some method of delivering the correct drivers to connecting
Click to expand...
computers?

You didn't mention which OS you use.

However, on Windoes, my experience is:

Install the printer on your system as if it were connected to LPT1. Skip the
printer test. Then go to <start> <settings> <printers> <file> <properties>
for the new printer. Select <details> and then add a network port for the
Lexmark. Probably, you'll need the network address or the MAC address for
the printer.
 
John said:
Install the printer on your system as if it were connected to LPT1. Skip the
printer test. Then go to <start> <settings> <printers> <file> <properties>
for the new printer. Select <details> and then add a network port for the
Lexmark. Probably, you'll need the network address or the MAC address for
the printer.
Click to expand...

My OS is Windows 2000. I can add the printer ok, that's not the problem.
I'm just wondering about driver versions. Is it 'better' to just go with
Windows' default drivers for the printer, assuming it'll all get worked
out through some automagic scheme, or do I and other individual clients
like myself all need to go to Lexmark and download drivers for the
network printer?
 
Joel Konkle-Parker said:
My OS is Windows 2000. I can add the printer ok, that's not the problem.
I'm just wondering about driver versions. Is it 'better' to just go with
Windows' default drivers for the printer, assuming it'll all get worked
out through some automagic scheme, or do I and other individual clients
like myself all need to go to Lexmark and download drivers for the
network printer?
Click to expand...

You've got a shared $5,000 printer capable of a bunch of networks types and
protocols. Lot's of room for time-wasting mistakes. Assuming you have many
workstations sharing the same machine, doesn't it make since to download the
W2K drivers to a shared location for all to use? And to do a few
<Alt-PrntScrn> saves of the settings process to document for others to use?
 
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