PCS Public Printing from Windows XP

These instructions explain how to set up your computer (running Windows XP) for printing to most PCS Public Printer locations. 

PCS offers these instructions as a basic guide to connect your laptop computer to our printers.  There is no formal support but should you encounter problems please review your help menu or other sources.

Setting Up Printers

Visit the PCS Public Printer List for a complete list of the public printers and make a note of the Location, Print Server IP Address, Queue/Printer Name and Printer Model that you wish to use. 

You will also need to download an appropriate print driver from the PCS Public Printer Driver page, or visit the manufacturer’s website for the printer you’re trying to install and download a driver from there. 

Installation of print driver

1. Click on the Start Menu.

2. Click on Printers and Faxes (or, if your Start Menu looks different, click on Settings, then Printers and Faxes).

3. Click on Add a printer.

4.  The Add Printer Wizard window appears.  Click Next.

5. Select the “Local printer attached…” option, and make sure that the box marking “Automatically detect and install…” is unselected.  Click Next. 

6. Select Create a new port and choose Standard TCP/IP as the type of port.  Click Next.

7. The Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard window appears.  Click Next.

8. In the Printer Name or IP Address box, enter the Print Server IP Address of the printer you are trying to add.  The Port Name will automatically fill in to resemble the IP Address and you may leave it as is.  Click Next.

9. If this window does not appear, skip to Step 10.  If you do see this window, make sure Standard is checked and Generic Network Card is chosen.  Click Next.

10. Click Finish.

11. The Install Printer Software window will appear.

12. Use the Manufacturer and Printers lists to select the driver for this printer, or click Have Disk... and locate the driver you downloaded for this printer.  If you do not find the correct driver, please visit the PCS Public Printer Driver page to find the driver you need to download.  Once you have selected the driver, click Next.

13. Under Printer name, enter the printer’s Queue/Printer Name.  Click Next.

14. If asked if you'd like to print a test page, select No and click Next.

15. Click Finish.  The printer has now been added, but you’ll need to configure it further.

16. Click on the Start Menu.

17. Click on Printers and Faxes (or, if your Start Menu looks different, click on Settings, then Printers and Faxes)

18. Right-click on the printer you just added and select Properties.

19. Click on the Ports tab.  The port used for this printer will already be highlighted.  Click on Configure Port.

20.  Make sure that LPR is the selected Protocol and then, under LPR Settings, enter the printer’s Queue Name.  Also make sure that the box next to LPR Byte Counting Enabled is checked.  Click OK.

21. Click Close on the printer’s Properties window. 

The printer has now been completely added and configured to work with the PCS Public Printer system.