WinXP Pro, default printer keeps changing

[cubby1223]

This has been a multi-year problem for someone I know. Every reboot the default printer is different from the one he wants to be set as the default printer. Year or two ago I searched around the internet, saw several people with a similar problem but no solutions. Did find a command line tool to set the default printer, and put it in the startup folder. Worked fine up until recently, when the default printer will switch while in Windows. The computer has had the whole workup of anti-virus/anti-malware/etc. scans.

Has anyone seen this specific problem and been able to fix it? He's not too worried about fixing it, as he's planning on upgrading soon. But I'd still like to find out if I can, I'm sure I'll run into it somewhere else.

 

[montag451]

Hi,
Firstly, is he running as an administrator when he changes the printer over.
Also, what apps does he have the problem with? All apps?

What printers has he got installed?
Has he tried uninstalling all other printers then reinstalling them?

 

[cubby1223]

His user account has administrator privileges. It's not that an app is giving problems, it's just an inconvenience when something changes the default printer. There are I want to say 6 or 7 printers in the office. All networked, either with a direct ethernet connection, or print server boxes. Off the top of my head there is a LaserJet 4, two HP C5100s, Deskjet 5400, Epson Photosmart, and another HP inkjet. The inkjets are usb only and were a trainwreck to get working with usb print servers, finally got him to buy printers with ethernet built in (the C5100s) but the old inkjets are still hooked up in the office.

Lastly, I have not tried uninstalling all the printers and reinstalling them. If next time I'm out there he hasn't upgraded his computer yet, I will definitely try that.


Thinking about it more, the first time this started being an issue, Windows was sticking to using a software printer driver that was installed along with Microsoft Office called "Office Document Writer". Every reboot Office Document Writer was returned to being the default printer. And if I uninstalled it, would recreate itself on reboot. If that means anything.

 

[robisbell]

it's something the office or company IT person needs to address, sounds like a networking issue on the server.

 

[RebateMonger]

Sounds annoying.

While maybe not an ideal solution, have you tried removing the MS Office Document Image Writer option from MS Office itself?

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: robisbell
it's something the office or company IT person needs to address, sounds like a networking issue on the server.

That is why I'm looking into this. Curious what experience you have that makes it sound like a server issue?

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Sounds annoying.

While maybe not an ideal solution, have you tried removing the MS Office Document Image Writer option from MS Office itself?

Yes, that's the proper name of the printer driver. Toss that into Google and I'm again seeing the large number of people with the same initial problem the computer had. The problem now is a bit different. He was describing the pattern he thinks is happening, when you look at the printers folder, whichever printer he sets to be the default printer, after a certain amount of time the system changes the default to the one above it in the list.

Writing this out, sounds like a possible workaround would be delete them all & install the one I want to be the default, first.


Thanks for the link. I know I didn't remove that component initially because the command line utility was a good enough workaround. It's worth an attempt, I know that component never gets used.

 

[robisbell]

well, since they all should be handled by the server, or at very least it should have some control over them, and then broadcast them out on the network.

 

[RebateMonger]

Are your clients logging onto their PCs using Remote Desktop sometimes?

Remote Desktop will change the User's default printer to the same as the remote connecting computer.

"Symptoms
Every time you logon to a remote computer using the Remote Desktop, the target computer may lose it's default printer setting.

If a local printer is made available in a Remote Desktop session:

After you establish the remote connection and log on to the remote computer, the local printer that is connected to the client becomes the default printer on the remote desktop. If the client has more than one printer attached to it, the default printer for the computer becomes the default printer on the remote desktop."

 

[RadiclDreamer]

It could possibly be a group policy set wrong, only way to know for sure would be to contact the sysadmin and have him/her check the policy

 

[nottacompwiz]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU RebateMonger!!

Have been having this problem forever seems like. Searched many times for answer and you nailed it (and so simple a solution to : ) )

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: nottacompwiz
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU RebateMonger!!

Have been having this problem forever seems like. Searched many times for answer and you nailed it (and so simple a solution to : ) )

Glad I could help. I always wondered if this was the cause that people are reporting.. Thanks for letting me know. - RebateMonger

 

[nottacompwiz]

I'm not the one that started this thread, just happened upon it searching and searching for an answer.............and........thanks AGAIN, lol!


I have a couple of computers that I only access remotely. One is "MY" computer with my only printer hooked up to it. I use a "common family" computer to access it remotely.

You can not imagine all the printing problems I've had by that computer adding
a "redirected" version of itself and making it the default printer EVERY time I logged on to it remotely....all the computers on the network would sometimes print and sometimes not. I have a large family and have to solve every computer problem they have which includes having to "fix it" every single time they couldn't print something.

Couldn't find this fix anywhere till now, it's not usually that hard to find a fix (I'm pretty good at searching internet for what i need) ....... I bow to you sir!!

 

[flashvenom]

If anyone is still having this problem, after some regedit tinkering, I found that my printer name was too long. If your printer name is too long (i.e. "HP Laserjet 1200 Series PCL 5 John Default") the default printer will get screwy. Change the name of your printer, set it as default, restart, and you should be golden.