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Full Version: Print using Windows XP box as a print server
InsanelyMac Forum > Discuss and Learn > Internet(s), Servers, and Networks
craigolio
I am trying to use my hackintosh in a Windows Server 2003 environment, with every other computer in the network being an XP machine. If I can make this work, then I will be authorized to buy several (real) macs for the office. But I have a few problems:

We use a Richoh Aficio 3235 printer/copier/scanner etc. in the network. It uses 'user authentication' so print costs can be itemized. Ricoh does not have an OSX driver that supports user authentication, according to their support pages.

Is there a way to setup some sort of hardware or software solution wherein the OSX machine could send it's print job to a windows machine (or something) and that machine would take it and send it to the Ricoh printer (using user authentication, i.e. using the windows printer driver) on behalf of the OSX Leopard machine?

To fill in any questions: the Ricoh printer is connected to the Domain via a fixed IP address. That is, when setting up a windows machine to print to it, first I connect the windows machine to the domain, then I add a new printer, then I setup that new printer to print to an ip port at 192.168.100.243

I know very very little about servers, so any help would be appreciated. I can tell you that simply sharing the printer on one of the windows xp machines does not work. When I try that, I am able to set the OSX machine to print to the XP shared printer, but it does not work. The XP machine print spooler shows that it is receiding a job, but the job does not print. I am at my wits end! Surely this is possible!

Thanks for any help!!

Craigolio
craigolio
Hmmm . . . nothing.

Am I asking the wrong question?

That is, should I not be using an Win XP box as a print server, but instead use some dedicated piece of hardware for the task? I really don't know!

Thanks for any help!
Tyrone Shoe
My best suggestion would be to share the printers off a 2003 server box and then install UNIX services on the server. Its available via add/remove programs -> Add/remove windows components. It will setup LPR print queues on the windows box with the same name as the windows share for the printer.

We use this to avoid paying for AIX printer drivers at my workplace.
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