Using Windows XP (pmanager)

Note: You can replace pmanager in the instructions below with pmanager1 or pmanager2, depending on how you set up your Windows accounts on your laptop. For example, T61p laptops will use pmanager1.

To use a campus network printer, you need to install the driver intended for that printer on your computer. Windows XP can take advantage of Rensselaer's pmanager servers, which makes installing a printer very easy. Note that, if the printer has special features such as two-sided, color, or large paper sizes (B size paper or the large-format, roll-feed plotters), you will then need to configure the printer driver to select those features.

Before installing the printer, you will need to know the name of the printer you want. Check the list of public printers.

You will find it helpful to first configure your Windows account for pmanager. Doing this avoids having to supply your User ID and password when you print.

64-Bit Printing

For 64-bit printing, you must replace pmanager in the instructions given below with pmanager64.

Configuring your Windows account

Note: When you configured a Rensselaer laptop, you probably did the steps below. If so, you can skip to the next section on installing a printer driver.

Start -> Control Panel, double click User Accounts
In the User Accounts window, under pick an account to change, click on your RCS userID name.
On top left of screen, under “Related Tasks,” click on Manage my network passwords.
When "Stored User Names and Passwords" window appears, click on Add.
In "Server" field, enter pmanager.win.rpi.edu.
In the "User" name field, enter: win\youruserid (for example, win\smithq3)
In the "Password" field, enter: your 8-character RCS user ID password.
Click OK.

Installing a Printer Driver using Windows XP

Shortcut method (especially if you are installing several printers)

Click the Start button and select Run.
Enter \\pmanager.win.rpi.edu.
If prompted, log in as win\youruserid with your RCS password.
Double-click the printer you would like to install.
Click Yes to confirm installation.

The printer queue window will open; this window can be closed.

To see what printers have been added to your system, click the Start button and select Printers and Faxes.

Regular method

From the Start menu, select Printers and Faxes.

1. When the Printers and Faxes window appears, select Add a printer; it should appear as the first item.

2. When the Add Printer Wizard opens, click Next>.

3. In the next window, select "A network printer..." to connect to one of the RCS public printers.
Click Next>.

4. In the next window, select "Connect to this printer..." . The “Name” field requires the network address of the printer, which is defined by the server name followed by the RCS printer name.
The server name is \\pmanager.win.rpi.edu\.

If you do not know the printer name, after either selecting or typing the server name, simply type the ending backslash ( \ ). After you do this, a drop-down list of printer names will appear, allowing you to select one. The example below shows the two-sided printer in the VCC machine room, named vclw, but you can substitute the name of any printer in the list.

5. A window similar to the one below will open warning you about viruses and asking if you want to continue. Click Yes.

6. Next, a window will open asking if this should be your default printer. Unless this is the printer you use most often, select No. Click Next>.

7. On the final screen, click Finished to complete the installation. The printer is now installed and can be selected from within application programs in Windows.

Last modified: June 23, 2009