Table of Contents
Using a Windows Print Spooler for Network Printing via Linux
Linux has very limited support for printers. As such, it may be easier to connect your printers to an old Windows box on the network and use Linux's Postscript printing features (which are quite complete).
What You Need
Here's exactly what you'll need for this setup.
- Old Computer Running Windows or ReactOS
- Printer Connected and Driver Loaded
- Print File (freeware Windows program)
Setting it Up
If the Windows computer is not already on your network, get it hooked up and share a folder that will act as your print spooler.
Now, make sure that the printer works. Try to “Print a Test Page” from Windows.
Next, install Ghostscript and Print File on the Windows computer.
In the startup group, create a shortcut to Print File. You start Print File with the /s flag in order to run it in spooler mode.
"C:\Program Files\PrintFile\PRFILE32.EXE" /s:f:\data\print\*.ps
Now, use the Linux “Postscript” printer and select the “Print to File” option. Save the file to your mapped printer spool share and it will be printed automatically.
Print File
I also keep a copy of Print File on this website, in case I need it later. Please download it from the Print File website (http://www.lerup.com/printfile/) instead. You are likely to get a newer version than the one I have listed here. As of December 2007, this program was still actively worked on.