Connecting to printers on sp from SELF-Managed Windows machines.

Notes:

• These instructions apply to SELF-Managed machines (for ENET managed machines send an email to enet@enet.umn.edu with the name of the machine and the list of the printers that need to be added).


• Your University Internet ID (X.500) and your ENET usernames MUST MATCH or this WILL NOT WORK.


• if you are using the Enet network; Your machine must be regestered with Enet and connected to its assigned port, or
  You should be able to connect with either "eduroam" wireless (on campus) or UofM-VPN, or
  You may be able to connect a wired machine in the .umn.edu campus network (test to make sure).
  Otherwise, you will not be able to access \\sp.ad.enet.umn.edu (it is not available off campus).


• We highly recommend that you DO NOT set any printer from our (or any) print server as your default (Use one of the local psuedo printers on your machine - if you don't have any create a fake one that prints to file). Choose the printer you want when you print. Setting the default printer to a non-local printer will make many of your programs start and respond slowly (particularly Acrobat and MS Office).

Directions for adding printers (from sp) to SELF-Managed Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP machines:

• Log in as the user who will be using the printers (we recommend it NOT be an Administrator of the machine)
  (NOTE - if you are installing a printer for many users of an AD connected machine, Add the printer with an account that has Administrative rights on the machine, but test with a user account).


• Run this TEST to verify your machine is working correctly (and is in a network with access to the print server):
  • Click Start->Run
  • then type \\sp.ad.enet.umn.edu in the run box.
  • Click Ok.
    DO NOT LOG IN
  • This should open a connection to sp (It will show you a list of printers, OR ask for a password [DO NOT LOG IN])
  • Close all windows associated with \\sp.ad.enet.umn.edu.


• Copy the AEM-connect.bat file to your Desktop (Last updated: 2019 Oct 15):
  • NOTE: this may not be needed on AD attached Windows machines (you should get a list of printers in the test above).
  • If you are an AEM user:
    Copy the AEM-connect.bat file to your DESKTOP.
  • If needed (this is NOT needed on AD attached Windows machines, it is needed on personal machines),
    Edit the AEM-connect.bat file with windows notepad so it has your plain University Internet-ID (AKA username - DO NOT INCLUDE the @umn.edu).
    Instructions are in the file. (Also See: the Microsoft documentation on .bat files.)
  • Run the AEM-connect.bat file (it uses your University Password).
    (Note: You will have to run the AEM-connect.bat file each time you log-in to authenticate yourself to sp.)


• Start->Run: "\\sp.ad.enet.umn.edu"
  (Note: If you don't get a list of printers - close it, you need to run the AEM-connect.bat first)


• Switch to DETAIL view - the driver names of the printers will be in parenthesis.


• "Connect.." to the printer (you will have to manually select the correct driver).


• If a suitable driver is not in your list, use the "MS/Generic text" print driver (this is a lightweight driver that may not work, but it allows you to go to the next step, this will also save you time if there are issues installing the correct driver later).


• Then change the driver in the printer settings (you will then be able to use the "Windows update" button to get a more complete list of printers, or point it at a downloaded driver from the manufacturer).


• NOTE for HP Printers (on Windows 10, 11, and 8):
  We recommend you use these drivers on Windows 10 for HP printers:
  HP LaserJet (Black & White): HP LaserJet P2050 Series PCL6
  HP Color LaserJet: HP PageWide Color Flow MFP 586 PCL-6
  - OR (may not available anymore): HP Color LaserJet 5500 PS Class Driver
  HP PageWide Color (inkjet): Either a LaserJet driver above, or the exact Pagewide driver for that printer.
  
  (DO NOT use a color driver on a black & white printer - it may cause the printer to crash).
  The HP Universal drivers WILL NOT WORK with our print server.
  (Many HP LaserJet drivers do not work at all on Windows 10 when connecting to a Samba print server like ours)


• NOTE for XEROX Printers:
  We recommend you use the driver here:
  http://www.xerox.com/global
  NOTE: This driver may work for other brands, including HP printers.
  - Make sure you use the PS version (second one listed when you click "DOWNLOAD FOR FREE").
  


• NOTE for Windows 10/8: You can use the "Windows update" button to find the correct print driver while connecting.