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Capturing AppleTalk printers

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Capturing AppleTalk printers

When you set up a printer on an AppleTalk network to be used with Services for Macintosh, you can specify whether Print Server for Macintosh will capture the printer, that is, prevent the printer from accepting print jobs from any source other than Print Server for Macintosh. Capturing gives you complete control over the printer.

If a printer will be used exclusively by users of x86-based computers, you should capture it. Doing so ensures that users do not accidentally bypass the print server and send print jobs directly to the printer or reset the printer, which might cause spooler problems. You will also avoid LaserPrep Wars.

Note that if a source other than Print Server for Macintosh prints jobs on the printer, you should not capture the printer. For example, don't capture printers if you use Apple LaserShare (which provides spooled printing for Macintosh clients) or if you use a minicomputer that sends print jobs from minicomputer users to the printer.

If a printer is not captured and multiple sources send jobs to that printer, no jobs will be interrupted; however, while the printer is printing a job from one source, it will appear busy to the other sources.

Note

  • Print Server for Macintosh is not available on the 64-bit versions of the Windows operating systems.