No Workgroup? Can't print to printer on Jet Direct...

[deh1217]

Hi,
I recently tried over the phone to figure out the configuration of this office and thought somebody may have some insight.
Ok,
Basically in this office we are in a NT Domain. User gets authentication from PDC or BDC. WE use 9x workstations.
Incidentally we have jet direct which was configured by Jet Direct software which was installed on an NT server.
So this user comes in for the day and wants to use our printers. No problem I install Client For Microsoft Networks, TCP/Ip, create a user account.
So user logs on and then in printers properties I choose Network printer and am allowed to browse to the specific printer. All is fine and it prints.
Now she goes back to this office and this is where I must be missing something.
This office has a Jet Direct but they don't use a workgroup or a domain (?????????). The IT guy told me over the phone when he goes to add a printer it Just automatically finds the printer attached to the Jet Direct.
Seems that now that when adding a printer and going to network it looks for our Domain which obviously it can't find.
I suggested over the phone that the IT guy just uninstall Client for MS Networks and install necessary protocols.
I am not saying I am correct but wouldn't you have to be part of the same Workgroup atleast to "see" the printer? Maybe not but bear with me I am used to either a good old fashioned peer to peer workgroup or Domain.
Anyway so since I configure this machine to be part of our domain she can no longer print to the printer in her main office. She gets a Network error.
I had the IT guy check for valid IP address, incidentally they are statically assigned. He claims that the IP address is valid.
What am I missing here? Basically after he explained the setup I am in a state of HUH? I mean they have a NOvell file server but that is all it is. They share files and printers in a peer to peer but not in the same workgroup.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated or even a proper question that I may not be asking to get to the bottom of it.

Thank you very much.

Happy Holidays,
D

[Ya_know]

You keep saying JetDirect, do you mean the JetAdmin tools on the local PC? JetAdmin is nice because you can install it on the Laptop, and wherever this person goes, they can add a network printer without the need to login to the network, or change a lot of settings (sometimes changing static IP might be necessary). Jetadmin can be found on the same JetDirect CD, under the Jetadmin folder.

You don't need to login/authenticate to use TCP/IP printing. You also don't need to be in the same workgroup, because the printing is to the address only. You will need to be physically on the same network, and in some instances on the same subnet as the printer. However, when adding a port, if you adjust the discovery options (on the local pc when viewing the printer list) you can add several ranges that will accommodate additional subnets. On the other hand, if you already know the printer IP on this or other subnets, you can input it manually.

If DHCP is your game, then the pc has to be configured to gain its IP address from it. If static entries are made, then that should be enough to communicate (providing there are no duplicates). As long as the printer has a valid IP, the workstation has an IP, and the basic network properties are applied, (TCP/IP, Client for MS Network, just removing the reference to your domain could help, but shouldn’t be the problem), then he should see the available printers when adding a new port. The easiest method is to go to the add JetDirect Printer wizard, from the start menu, at Start/programs/HpjetadminUtilites/AddHP JetDirect Printer, Next, then the printer list button.

If for any reason the software may have been compromised, JetAdmin should be removed, then reinstalled on her laptop.

What relationship are you trying to maintain with these people? The reason that I ask, if you don't give a hoot, let their guy clean up the mess. If he is smart enough to get a paycheck, he can figure this out. I believe he is just struggling, and perhaps looking at you as a scapegoat. If he is pointing fingers, tell him to F.O. If he is really trying to learn and came to you for advice, cool. There has to be an easy fix. Just make sure he is using his head, and that he understands this is his problem--and he needs to use some key troubleshooting skills or this problem wont go away. You can’t be expected to have all of the answers to his problem.