Automatic Printer Driver Installation
for Windows 95/98

Applicable to: FreeBSD 3.x, 4.x
Updated: March 5, 2000

This Sheet describes the procedure to set-up Samba so that Windows 95/98 computers can automatically install printer drivers across the network when setting up the printer using Windows' Add New Printer Wizard.

1. Create the printer driver directory:

   # mkdir /usr/smbshares/printer
   # chmod 0775 /usr/smbshares/printer
   # chown root:staff /usr/smbshares/printer

2. Create a Samba share by editing /usr/local/etc/smb.conf or using swat:

   [printer$]
        path = /usr/smbshares/printer
        write list = me
        guest ok = Yes
        browseable = Yes

   Restart smbd:

   # kill -HUP `cat /var/run/smbd.pid`

3. On a Windows 95/98 machine, search through the C:\Windows\Inf\Msprint*.inf files for the name of the printer you want to install.

   If the printer isn't listed, as for the HP LaserJet 2100, use the OEM disk that came with the printer and install the printer driver on a Windows 95/98 machine. Then look through the OEM's .inf file for the name string. For the HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 6, the .inf file is HP2100_6.INF.

   Make note of the exact case-sensitive name string.

4. Copy (or FTP) the .inf file from the Windows machine to /usr/smbshares/printer. (Watch the CR/LF conversion between Windows and Unix.)

5. Check that the "[Strings]" section header in the .inf file is capitalized, or else the next step fails.

6. Update the printer definition file:

   # make_printerdef HP2100_6.inf "HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 6" >> printers.def

   Watch out for case-sensitivity.

   Make_printerdef will print out a list of required files to the console. Copy all the files listed from the Windows machine to /usr/smbshares/printer. Make sure the file names match EXACTLY the names listed, case and all.

7. Edit /usr/local/etc/smb.conf, or use swat, to add the following parameters:

   [global]
        printer driver file = /usr/smbshares/printer/printers.def
   [LaserJet]
        printer driver = HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 6
        printer driver location = \\%h\PRINTER$

   Restart smbd.

8. Test to be sure the printer drivers can be automatically loaded onto a Windows 95/98 machine. (You'll need to reboot the Windows machine first to get it to recognize the \\PANDORA\PRINTER$ share).