Network Printer: OFFLINE

I installed a netgear print server, and it worked great. Then I restarted
my Vista system. Now it shows as offline, and nothing I do can get it
online again. I turned off the Windows firewall, and it had no affect.

The same print server prints fine from my old XP system. Any suggestions?

Through my own trial and error, I found this to work....

For each user configured on the Vista desktop, one must associate the
printer port to a "persistent" network connection.

Launch a DOS command window (start/run/cmd)

If desired, enter

net help

to see the commands available

Enter

net use LPT1 \\[printservername]\P1 /persistent:yes

where [printservername] is the name of the PrintServer device.

This mapping of LPT1 to the PrintServer port as a persistent connection must
be done for EACH user defined for the Vista desktop.

((WHY one needs to get down to the "DOS level" to establish this is beyond
me. But, it works, and that's all I need to know.))

To verify, exit CMD window and step through each user on Vista to confirm
that the printer is available to each user and works correctly.

Microsoft has a hotfix for the Vista offline problem. You must request
hotfix # 934455. When the Microsoft tech emailed it to me, it came
with a disclaimer and the suggestion that I wait for SP1. I loaded the
hotfix and it worked like a charm. The hotfix is password protected and
must be requested from Microsoft Tech Support.

I am having the same problem.

I tried to access Microsoft Support by e-mail to request the Hotfix you
suggested but it would not accept my Product Key and suggested a
numerical sequence that is different from mine??? Mine is a legitimate
copy of Windows Vista Ultimate and I'm using the 64bit OS.. ??

Added to that, the instructions include a place to list my credit card
number so I can be charged for the information. Doesn't make sense
that they would charge for this Hotfix.

How did you get in contact with them?

Thanks for the help as I would like to get a copy of Hotfix #934455

To get a hotfix, go to the following website.

Contact Us: Hotfix Request Web Submission Form:
https://support.microsoft.com/contac...1410&WS=hotfix

All you need is the KB article number ( 934455 ) and a valid email address.

It usually takes less than 8 hours for them to reply. You will get a link
for hotfix download and a password to open/install the file.

Then the fun starts. Questions like why do you want this ? What's your
computer doing that warrants you wanting this file ? Please send more info.
Yada Yada. No thanks.

This does not happen. There is no "fun". All that is required is to say
one is having a problem that requires that hotfix and the MS person will
ask for your email to send you the password and download link. End of story.

That form that I pointed you to is automated. You send in the form, you get
a link to download the file, period. There is never a charge or question
about a Hotfix, since this is the result of a known bug in the software.

I was able to fix this by doing the two following:
Disable SNMP on the tcp/ip port then disabling the "MAC Bridge
Miniport" network adapter that some software had installed...all is well
now :)

Ironically, this problem persists even in x64 with SP2.

Is there any fix for SP2?

Try this:

login to your network printer and disable SNMP, then edit your printer
port settings and do the same ( disable SNMP ) some printers, unless set
correctly, do not support SNMP and that might cause prointer to appear
offline.

Hope that helps.


--
kosiara