How To Add LPT Ports in Windows Server 2003 (323345)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
This article was previously published under Q323345
For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 262032.

IN THIS TASK


IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes how to add additional LPT ports on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer.

By default, there are 3 LPT ports available in Windows Server 2003. These ports are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3. You can add additional LPT ports, up to LPT9. After you add additional LPT ports, the ports are displayed as available printer ports in the Add Printer Wizard.

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How to Additional LPT Ports

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Ports

    The current LPT ports are displayed in the right pane.
  4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.
  5. Type a name for the new value. To do this, type LPT#, where # is the number of the LPT port that you want to add, and then press ENTER. For example, type LPT4.
  6. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.
  7. Click Start, and then click Run.
  8. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
  9. Stop and restart the Spooler service. To do so, type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each line:

    net stop spooler
    net start spooler

  10. Type exit to quit the command prompt.
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REFERENCES

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Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/15/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbHOWTOmaster kbprint w2000print kbFilePrintServices KB323345 kbAudITPro
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