Copyright © 2007 Aaron Tindall All Rights Reserved
Support
Q) For what is Virtual Print Server used?
A) Virtual Print Server is used in any place when a pocket print server is called for, but unavailable due to expense, lack of physical connectivity, IP availability, or any other such restriction.
Q) Why not just share the printer on the network?
A) In most cases sharing the printer is a better solution. However, if the software producing the content needs to directly address the printer with its own driver or is incompatible with printer sharing the standard solution will not work.
Q) How do I address the printer on the client side?
A) Either by IP address or domain name of the host computer with the port specified in Virtual Print Server.
Q) How do I start Virtual Print Server on startup?
A) In Windows copy the shortcut from the Virtual Print Server folder to the Startup folder in the Start-Programs menu. For Unix/Linux add a reference to your .login file. For other operating systems please consult your operating system manual.
Q) The first time I ran Virtual Print Server everything was fine. However, now I don't see it when I start it. Where is it?
A) If your operating system supports a tray, Virtual Print Server will run from the tray to avoid cluttering your work environment. To bring up the Virtual Print Server Control Panel simply click the Virtual Print Server icon in your system tray.
Q) I click "Start" but the traffic light stays red. What is wrong?
A) You do not have any active printers defined. Define a printer on a port and make sure that the active box is selected. Then click Save. Then click Start.
Q) I get a warning message from Windows XP/Vista when I start the application. Why?
A) This is the Microsoft Firewall. Choose to allow the application to run and Windows will open up that port on your firewall.
Q) Virtual Print Server says that it is up and running, but I cannot seem to access the printer from the client side. What's wrong?
A) Make sure that you have properly set the IP or domain name of the server on the client side. Try pinging the IP address or domain name from the client to make sure the connection is available. If the client is behind a firewall relative make sure that the port or ports specified are open. If the client is behind a router relative to the client, make sure that the ports are being properly forwarded to the server.
Q) My hard disk crashed, so I've had to reinstall Virtual Print Server. But I've lost my key. What can I do?
A) e-mail aaronjt@cox.net with the full name of the registrant.
Q) Why default to port 9100, then 9101, etc.? Can I use another port?
A) Port 9100 is the de facto standard for pocket print servers. You can use any available port.
Q) Can I have the same printer on two different ports?
A) Yes.
Q) Is it okay to have multiple printers on the same port?
A) This is allowed. But make certain you understand why you are doing this. The result is that all print jobs sent to that port would go to all printers defined to that port. One note of caution would be to make sure that they are similar enough printers that they understand the same types of data (use the same or similar drivers.)
Q) What is the "capture" option?
A) This is a file capture. If enabled all data sent to the printer will be sent to a capture file as well.
Q) I have a question not covered in the FAQ. What other support is available?
A) e-mail aaronjt@cox.net with your question or leave a comment on the comments section of http://www.tucsontindalls.net/guestbook.cgi.