A Network Printer Install Wizard

[blinkdt]

NetPrintWizard.au3

There were over one hundred downloads of my earlier script, so I thought I would share this revised Network Printer Install Wizard with those of you who, like me, install a few printers during the unattended install routine. My install routine runs from CD. After first logon, however, the routine is transferred to a network share . . . it pauses and I am prompted to name the machine, assign it to a workgroup, install printers, and then make application selections using WPI (mostly preconfigured), all run over the network. This is the only interuption in an otherwise unattended install: takes about 30 seconds to walk through this portion and works great for my purposes.

The Wizard is a Graphical User Interface created with AutoIt. It relies in part on ADPRINTX.EXE, a freeware utility that manages printers from the command line, which performs flawlessly, every time. No dialogues to contend with, no .inf driver issues. Wow. Pure genius and so simple to use. But ADPRINTX is not applicable in most of my installation scenarios, where I have settled on using the HP DirectJet 300X as print servers to either HP LaserJet 2100 or 6L printers or newer Samsung ML-2250 models. Very reliable workhorses. Simple .vbs scripts are used to add ports during the install routine, and a balloon tip and flashing tray icon serve as progress indicators.

Several printer references in the GUI are struck out: my goal is to complete this as printers are aquired. It certainly is easy enough to add printers now that I have this thing working.

FYI, you will only be able to adapt this script if you have some familiarity with AutoIt (no, I'm not going to create a GUI to configure the GUI!). In my case, I find that if I want something badly enough I will take the time to learn.

Edited February 8, 2007 by blinkdt