How to Back Up and Restore a Print Server Configuration

ID: Q214795

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Printer Migrator (Printmig.exe) utility, included in Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit Supplement 3, allows you to back up or restore a print server configuration. Configuration data is written to the Pm.cab file using the Microsoft Cabinet (CAB) file format. The Printmig.exe tool also saves current server status information to the Pm.log file. Both files are contained in the default folder, %Systemroot%\System32\Spool\Pm. The following data is written to the Pm.cab file:

  • Printers: all defined queues.


  • Print monitor ports.


  • Printer Migrator recognizes and backs up the following ports:


    • Hewlett-Packard Network Port


    • LexMark MarkVision Port Monitor (IP/DLC)


    • Jet Admin


    • LPR Port


    • Local Ports


    • Digital Network Port


    • AppleTalk Port Monitor



  • Print Drivers: x86, Alpha, Mips, PPC.


  • Share Point information: All Share point information, including file and printer shares.


NOTE: Printer Migrator does not back up the actual printer monitor, only the defined ports. After you complete a restore operation, reinstall the original set of port monitors to ensure complete functionality.


MORE INFORMATION

Performing a Print Server Backup


To perform a print server backup, follow these steps:
  1. On the Actions menu, click Backup.


  2. In the Target Server box, type the NetBIOS name of the computer to back up. If you leave this box blank, Printer Migrator backs up the local computer.


  3. In the CAB storage folder box, you can type the folder where the backup files will be stored. The default folder is %Systemroot%\System32\Spool\Pm.


  4. Click OK.


Printer Migrator then writes the printer configuration data to the Pm.cab file. This file may contain driver files, registry information, and any other files contained in the Printer Migrator folder, with the exception of old Pm.cab or Pm.log files.

Command-line Options

Printer Migrator uses the following command-line syntax:

printmig [\\target] [/d]
  • If you do not specify a target, Printer Migrator backs up print information from the local computer.


  • The /d option disables the Windows NT Spooler. When you use this option, Printer Migrator prevents backup or restore activity, but enumerates the target computer and populates the tree view with relevant information. Use this option if you are unable to gain access to the target computer when the Windows NT Spooler is started and you want to check which printers are installed. This option is provided in case you do not have sufficient access permissions to modify the Windows NT Spooler information.


Restoring a Print Server


To restore a print server, follow these steps:
  1. On the Actions menu, click Restore.


  2. Type the file name of the Pm.cab file to be used for the restore in the File name box.


  3. Type the NetBIOS name of the destination computer in the Target Server box. If you leave this box blank, Printer Migrator restores to the local computer.


NOTE: Printer Migrator temporarily stops both the Windows NT Spooler service and the Print Service for Macintosh service (if installed) on the target computer to restore the print queue information. Before running the Restore command on a print server, make sure that:
  • The backup computer and the target computer are both running the same operating system and belong to the same CPU family (x86, Alpha, and so on).


  • Print monitor information is consistent between the backup and target computer. If a monitor has not been installed on the target computer, Printer Migrator displays a warning to remind you to install the monitor or service and then run the restore command again.


  • You have administrative rights on the target computer.


During the restore process, the Printer Migrator utility display a progress report. The contents of this report are saved in the Pm.log file.

Enumerating Remote Target Command

To enumerate (list) a remote computer's queue information in the utility's display window, follow these steps:
  1. On the View menu, click Target.


  2. In the Target Server box, type the NetBIOS name of the target server, and then click OK.


  3. On the View menu, click Restore Local.


The utility's title bar identifies the computer for the corresponding tree view. This computer is the target of all subsequent operations until you change the entry in the Target Server box. All the information that is displayed is saved during the backup procedure and includes the following:
  • Printer queue data


  • Print driver data


  • Print monitor data


  • Print port data


  • Print processor data


Disabling the Progress Report

The lower pane of the Printer Migrator window displays a continuous progress report of backup and restore activities including .cab compression, .cab folder placement, status of related services, and warning messages given. By default, this report is stored in the Pm.log text file in the Printer Migrator folder. To disable saving progress information to a log file, do the following:
  • On the Options menu, click Log To Text.



NOTE: You can use a standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad, to view the contents of the Pm.log file.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbprint kbtool ntdomain
Version : winnt:3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: October 4, 1999
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