Good articles in experts exchange on RDP, remote desktop, terminal services and remote printers

experts exchange

http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Server/Remote_Desktop-Terminal_Services/

1. Most common terminal servevices issues are printer related.
   1. Note that local firewalls (firewall software installed on te PC are often a culprit of printer failures. though most firewalls have an allow list they do not work, especially if the XP firewall and a 3rd party security software(smantec, spybot,etc...) is installed. Before troublshooting further, try disableing or uninstalling(3rd party)
2. Given the numerous updates to windows and windows servers try this 1st
   1. update the RDP client to the latest version (currently 6.0)
   2. install/connect the printer to the local (client) computer and run a test print
   3. Find and install the generic driver for the printer on the Terminal Server
   4. redirect printers using the printer redirect tool (TSPPRINT,exe)
      1. the tools scans the event log for the printer,, and updates the INI file for the generic driver installed on the Terminal Server
   5. avoid installing printer drivers if possible. (these will cause slow login/loggoff, server crashes etc
3. usb printer drivers often do not work when connected locally, but do work when mapped thru a shared printer
4. Check printer port settings ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302361 

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