jhs1...
I've found a handy little utility that can be set to run
in a command file by placing it in the startup folder so
it runs when Windows starts back up.
It's called defprint (for Default Printer). It was written
by Stuart Anderson and can be downloaded from this page on
NetAdminTools.com:
http://www.netadmintools.com/art194.html
The utility is explained on that page, as well. I played
with it and created a simple .cmd file which could be
placed in the Windows Startup folder, with the assumption
that you placed the defprint executable in, say, C:\defprint
and assuming your Adobe PDF Writer is on port FPP1, and it's
the only printer on that port:
Code
C:\defprint\defprint /D FPP1:
End Code
You can find out which port your Adobe PDF Writer is on by
opening a CMD Prompt from the folder where you placed the
executable and running the command:
defprint /P
This will list all your printer names and port locations.
It worked just fine for me.
Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by way of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.
sublime1-ga
Searches done, via Google:
"default printer" "windows XP"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22default+printer%22+%22windows+XP%22 |
Request for Answer Clarification by
jhs1-ga
on
30 Sep 2005 08:29 PDT
Comments Re:
Answer
Set a specified printer to be the default printer when Windows XP starts
Answered By: sublime1-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:47 PDT
>>>>>>
Thanks! This seems to work ok. I would like to try it a little
longer, but so far so good.
First odd thing: Although the help syntax says to use the
?PrinterName? (Acrobat PDFWriter), it is actually the ?PortName?
(LPT1:) that is required.
Second odd thing: In the process of discovering this, I shortened the
PrinterName. Defprint worked just fine. However the printer no longer
worked and gave a weird error message. Evidently something in the
driver expects the original name.
Third odd thing: The Brother no longer resets itself to be the default
printer! I also changed the PrinterName for it, and maybe that upset
whatever routine was looking for a specific printer name to reset to
be the default. So, looks like you answered both questions!
Thanks again. This takes care of an aggravation. The Brother print
quality is falling off, but the scanner & fax work just fine. So, I?ll
just buy a laser printer & keep using the other functions.
For anyone else reading this, my Brother MFC 6800 has a few bad ?habits.?
When the toner gets low, it refuses to print at all until the
cartridge is changed. With most laser printers, you can shake the
toner and decide when the print quality requires a new cartridge. The
Brother web site has, if you chase it far enough, a FAQ on ?disabling?
this. When you finally chase it down, the answer is ?it cannot be
disabled.? It is now saying ?Change Drum Soon? so it may abruptly quit
working until I put in a new drum. That's not gonna happen!
I called the Brother Tech Support a year ago, because there was a
streak on the print. After waiting over an hour, the fellow had me do
some complicated cleaning, but no help. It was getting time for him to
quit, so he told me I needed a new drum. Of course, the new drum made
no difference. Office Depot was kind to refund my money, since I had
bought the printer from them. I bought from Office Depot because they
do support their products, so there is less chance of getting a dud
there.
The second call to Brother Tech Support with another Tech went much
better. He gave me a very simple cleaning instruction ? just remove
the drum assembly & wipe the glass below it. That fixed it perfectly.
The first guy had me go thru this much more complicated procedure that
took about 30 minutes. Then he just told me to buy a new drum, without
even mentioning the simple thing that fixed the problem. Oh, Brother!
Regards, Joe
|
Clarification of Answer by
sublime1-ga
on
30 Sep 2005 13:11 PDT
Joe...
You said:
"First odd thing: Although the help syntax says to use the
'PrinterName' (Acrobat PDFWriter), it is actually the 'PortName'
(LPT1:) that is required."
I noticed the same thing, which is why, in the code I suggested,
I used the port name, though the helpfile suggests that either
printer name or port name will work, but I also wasn't sure it
wouldn't act differently on your system.
I'm also a little surprised that your Acrobat PDFWriter is on
LPT1, if I can infer that from the comment above. LPT1 is used
as the default port on most systems, and I wonder if having it
on that port (along with a physical printer?) might be part of
the confusion your system was displaying. My Adobe Printer is
on FPP1, which is why I used that in my example.
I can also believe that changing the printer name could cause
confusion for the printer driver, as you noted.
As for your printer tech experience, I can confirm that some
techs simply have more experience than others. I worked as a
copier tech for Xerox at one time, and though good training
is provided, nothing takes the place of experience in the
field, which the second tech obviously had.
I'm glad to hear that things are working out.
Best regards...
sublime1-ga
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
jhs1-ga
on
09 Oct 2005 15:16 PDT
Hello,
Everything is working just fine. I am completely satisfied with the
answer and thank you very much for your help and excellent answer.
Please mark this as closed and answered.
|
Clarification of Answer by
sublime1-ga
on
09 Oct 2005 15:46 PDT
Joe...
Thanks very much for the feedback and the rating!
Best regards...
sublime1-ga
|
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2 Comments
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