Calling 911 IT Tech's.

Ok, so, this Easter weekend the network division came down and upgraded our network. Good for them, they suck. Nothing is working.

One big problem is the printers in the classrooms. I have to go around to all of them and assign the workstation to the printers again. I only have 1200 or so workstations to hit and was wondering if there is a tool out there on the net to make this task a bit easier.

I love my job but, sure hate when the powers that be show up and always manage to screw thing up. FUBAR.

Help.

[CRider]

I'm not one for writing scripts (maybe Aces is?) but I gotta imagine it could be done with a startup script, or maybe push it out via SMS. Things I've not done, but know can be done.

Originally Posted by CRider

I'm not one for writing scripts (maybe Aces is?) but I gotta imagine it could be done with a startup script, or maybe push it out via SMS. Things I've not done, but know can be done.

One of the peeps that came down said there is a tool online that I can put on a thumb drive and when I put it in the putter will take care of it.

So, I asked if he ever used it and he said no. Then I asked if it works and he says he didn't know. Great advice. Not going to be happy for the rest of the week. Maybe a good time to have a few or more.

Every time there show up I get the K-Y Jelly out. Damn, off to the store.

[CRider]

If it runs automatically when inserted, I guess that'd be an auto-exec file of some sort. As long as you're setting them all up for the same printer, I'd imagine that would work just fine.

Originally Posted by CRider

If it runs automatically when inserted, I guess that'd be an auto-exec file of some sort. As long as you're setting them all up for the same printer, I'd imagine that would work just fine.

Hell no. I got 28 printer in classrooms that need to be assigned.
Looks like a fun week for me.
I better get my ration card out, going to need it. Can you say J.D.

[markk96-cr]

So I take it there is no print server?

I have a VB script that I used a few times, that edits the workstation, but it needs to run at login.

[markk96-cr]

Originally Posted by redmondp

One of the peeps that came down said there is a tool online that I can put on a thumb drive and when I put it in the putter will take care of it.

So, I asked if he ever used it and he said no. Then I asked if it works and he says he didn't know. Great advice. Not going to be happy for the rest of the week. Maybe a good time to have a few or more.

Every time there show up I get the K-Y Jelly out. Damn, off to the store.

I would beat the network guy for not wokring with you or giving anyone fair warning that they would change.

A print server is a IT persons best friend in this instance.

[Madmike]

Might try referencing this document. Creating the script described and executing it at startup on the clients might do the trick. I have not used it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321025

[Acesfull]

Wish I could help but it seems the military does things totally different than the civilian way (the way things should be done). The network at my guard base I go to for my weekends is really wacked. Ive seen the way they network the printers there and its totally ridiculous.

At my company we dont run print servers. We have a jetdirect card in all of our HP printers and assign it a unique IP address. So its just like another computer on the network. Then all you have to do is install the printer using a tcp/ip port and no matter how we change the network the printer is still setup the same. It gives us lots of flexibility. The only reason I see to run a print server is if you are running more than 254 addresses on the same subnet. But then again you could always segment the network into another subnet so you shouldnt really ever run out of IP addresses internally. *shurg* gotta love the military way of doing things

Aces. That's the way we do it. Each printer has it's unique IP address but they took all my IP ranges for printers away and issued new one's. So, first I had to go remote into all the HP printers and set the new IP address, gateway, and subnet. Then I have to hit every workstation and laptop in the schools (I take care of 4, HS, ES, and two ES/M. I could remote into all the workstations but have to get permission first. We also have 25 Xerox Networked Copier/Printers for Admin. use. This will just be alot of work and very boring. I know it's not a big deal, all I have to do is change the port on the workstation. I get paid by the hour though.

[Acesfull]

Yeah to me it sounds like there is no other way around it... sorry bro

[anton]

are you running on a Windows Domain? If so, do you know anyone who has domain admin rights?

Easiest solution is to (and this may be over your head) assign the computers in your classroom to an active directory OU. Next create a group policy object to use that printer. Assign that printer to the OU for your classroom and on next logon it should install the printer. If it doesn't do it the first time, open a command prompt and type gpupdate /force

[Acesfull]

i believe all military computers are on a windows domain, what anton is saying may work. I'm not an MCSE or MCSA sooooo i have very little exerpience with a domain server.