Unable to Map (Net Use) LPT1 in Windows XP
Whenever try to perform “net use lpt1″ command, the system cannot and unable map to the printer share/queue properly. Instead, it will prompts you for user id and password (if no user id and/or password is specified when issued net use commad). For example,
Command Prompt:\> net use lpt1: \\computer_name\printer
The password is invalid for \\computer_name\printer.
Enter the user name for ‘computer_name’: user
Enter the password for ‘computer_name’:
System error 5 has occured.
Access is denied.
To make matter worse, no matter what security settings and permissions you have changed, the net use command simply is not working.
The reason for this issue is because in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, non-administrators cannot remap an LPT port to a network printer, when the LPT port is already assigned to the local parallel port. In other words, only a member of the Administrators group can use the net use command tomap the LPT port for a local (hardware) parallel port to a network printer. According to Microsoft, this behaviour is desinged to help improve security.
Solutions
To solve the cannot net use lpt1 problem, there are several ways:
- Log on as an administrator
- Use the devcon disable *PNP0401 command to disable the LPT port mapping to the local parallel port when the computer starts. The devcon disable *PNP0401 command is for LPT1. To find the hardware ID for other LPT ports, use the devcon findall * command. The devcon command must run when the computer starts. For a computer in a domain, you can set up Group Policy to run devcon as a computer startup script. To set Group Policy, open the appropriate group policy, open Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Scripts (Startup/Shutdown)\Startup, and then add the command. Alternatively, the command can be run individually at each workstation by adding a command to Startup folder for All Users or particular users. Devcon utility can be found here with its information.
- If your program can print to the LPT2 port or the LPT3 port, use the net use command to map the network printer to the LPT2 port or the LPT3 port. Most computers do not have physical LPT2 or LPT3 ports, so a non-administrator can map an LPT2 port or an LPT3 port to a network printer.”
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Entries (RSS)
February 3rd, 2006 04:33
Thanks for posting this! I never would have thought to use devcon.
I’ve been trying (in vain) to tighten security on our network. And I am absolutely befuddled as to why Microsoft is so adament about having its users run as Administrators on Windows XP workstations. Come guys… I rather a system allow for LPT port redirects then having everyone run as the God user.
Anyways… I’ve been working on logon scripts for OU’s in our domain. LPT redirects work just fine when the logged in user has admin rights. But! LPT redirects still aren’t working (for even power users) even when there isn’t a locally defined LPT port.
And (perhaps on a related note), devcon doesn’t seem to work for my login scripts. Here’s what I’m trying:
I have devcon.exe copied to my NETLOGON share
I map L: to \\server\NETLOGON
In my logon script I run:
PATH = L:\
devcon disable *PNP0401
Any ideas?!
February 3rd, 2006 15:28
I believe devcon needs administrative rights too to function properly.
February 6th, 2006 23:03
Think I figured it out…
As far as I can tell, LPT port disable seems to be working. Forget about using the PATH command and just use START.
Example:
START L:\devcon\disable *PNP0401
Hope this helps anyone else who’s a bit rusty with batch files
February 28th, 2006 22:14
Hi Guys. I have been using the devcon utility to disable LPT1 for many of the computers in the office, then using net use to re-map the LPT1 port to a network queue. This is well documented and works. My problem is that a few computers in the office will not allow me to disable the LPT1 port. When I check the LPT1 setting in Control Panel it is “greyed out” so I can’t disable it there either. I’ve done numerous “google” searches but come up without any information about this issue.
Any info would be appreciated - Eric
March 1st, 2006 02:49
Is the users been assigned Administrator rights?
March 1st, 2006 04:44
Hi - the users do not have Admin rights to the machine - but I do as a local IT support person but it is still “greyed-out” for me. Further I had one of the NTAdmins (full power over the NT LAN) try by logging on to the machine - still greyed-out. We obtained the local Admin password and still greyed-out. No one at any level in the oganization can log in and disable the LPT1 port through either the Device Manager or through devcon utility - strange! The NTAdmins in the organization are still stratching their heads. I thought I may find the solution through some user groups.
Any other suggestions are appreciated.
Eric
May 21st, 2006 10:25
The devcon utility is a waste of time. It also requires local admin rights to run.
The easiest way around this problem is to go to device manager, and change the properties for the LPT1 port and change to LPT2, or any other port you are not using.
Once this has been done, any unpriviledged user can map LPT1.
Cheers,
Jonathan.
August 22nd, 2006 22:12
I agree with Jonathan, changing the LPT1 port settings to use LPT2 allows LPT1 to be accessed and works very nicely. It’s amazing how many ancient DOS 16 bit apps are still floating around needing these types of workarounds.
December 12th, 2006 23:39
Disabling LPT1 in device manager or the BIOS will work also. Of course this will not allow a user to switch back and forth between a local and network printer if they have that requirement.
February 25th, 2007 02:24
Well here we go again. If you think we have problems with the net use in XP /2003 wait until you try vista.. The Net Use work great in a parent
but try handing it down to a child and guess what! its not available.. What does this mean!! Well anybody running a 16-bit dos program currently will not see any redir’s when you have redirected to a usb port. For excample open a command box (Dos Box) type: Net Use Lpt2: \\servername\printername /persistent:yes then do a dir *.* > lpt2 works great ! Now start your dos application and try to print to the same lpt port… Read write error or I/O error.. The reason.. When your dos application starts it becomes the child application and permissions do not pass to the child.. Can you change this? NO at least I have not been able
ahh just a few moments with uncle bill would be nice.. Let me know if there is a fix for this .
I will post anyhing I find.. Currently working with MS as I’m not the first guy to run into this.. cheers all
March 4th, 2007 18:26
ok same problem, printer not ready in vista 16 bit dos program, BUT I GOT MY NETWORK PRINTER to print from DOS in Vista… under propeties for the shared printer use printergroup in the botton, mark the “network printer” AND mark “LPT 1″, then it works….But but but, when you restart the pc, same problem is there again, any there can find solution for this….
April 14th, 2007 11:08
I have a problem with lpt also. When I use net use command, it’s say ok, but I still cannot print. My network deltail: computer1 connect direct to HP laser 1320 by USB and share this printer with name’s hplaserj (default share name). Computer2: I install hp 1320 driver in LPT2. I use command: net use lpt2: \\computer1\hplaserj.
I have check it is map OK, but I still cannot printing.
I thinks have some virus in my network, but I can’t find out it. Somebody have any idea??
Thanks so much.
If Someone have some idea please send mail to me: thanhtung0811@yahoo.com.
June 8th, 2007 04:36
Check and see if you have an error message in your printer queue if so delete it out, because the errors are holding up the rest of your print jobs also PowerPoint presentation
take long to spoon.
September 8th, 2007 15:01
System error 1202 has occurred. The local device name has a remembered connection to another network resource
September 27th, 2007 22:23
@ Kuldeep:
try “net use lpt1″ to see what your LPT1 thinks it is.
otherwise delete your LPT mapping by running “net use lpt1 /d” If you’re gonna script the delete you might need to add a /y or a /yes to confirm (can’t remember which)
May 20th, 2008 02:26
XP Pro solution to net use … issue
One caveat that may not work for you:
You must disable LPT1 on the bios of the affected XP workstation
this worked for me!
yes, Just disable the LPT1 in the bios.
You may also try changing it to lpt2- i did not test that
I AM the man!!!