How to Set a Networked Printer to Identify Which Computer a Printout Originated

In an office with many employees sharing a networked printer, it is sometimes difficult to determine from which PC each printout originated. This is a simple means to do just that.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC running MS Windows
• Networked printer

1. This solution requires a file to be generated and stored on each PC. To begin, open a text file editor, such as Microsoft Notepad. Type in the following characters exactly as they appear below:
   
   @
   @N
   @T
   @W80

2. Save this file as "separator.sep" under the Windows System32 sub folder. For Windows 2000 and XP users, this is found under C:\WINNT\system32. To save a file with an extension other than .txt, choose the "Save as" option and then change the "Files of type" dropdown box to "All files." When you type in the full name, "separator.sep", the file will be saved with the .sep extension.

3. Open the printer settings window by clicking Start > Settings > Printers. The default printer should have a small black circle in the icon's top left corner with a white check. Right click this printer icon and then left click "Properties" on the menu that pops up. Now click the "Advanced" tab at the top of this window. Towards the bottom right, there should be a button labelled "Separator Page..." Click this button. In the window that pops up, click the "Browse" button. The window that pops up now should default to the "system32" folder. Find the "separator.sep" file that you created earlier. Click to select this file and then click the "OK" button. On the "Printer Properties" window, click the "OK" button to close it. Now close the "Printers" window and you're finished.

4. When the operator of the PC with this new separator page submits a document for print, it will be lead by a separator page with the PC name and the time that the job was submitted. Configure each user in the same manner and you will be able to easily tell where each print job originated and at what time.

Resources

• Microsoft Help and Support Article
• How to Combine MS Word and MS Excel Spreadsheets into One Document
• How to Print to Tray 3 on a HP LaserJet P2015 Printer
• How to fix the "C:\Documents.xls' could not be found." error in MS Excel

[kpk627764]

on 5/28/2008 i want every printout displaying that message (Computer name and Date & Time)

[ermims]

on 1/24/2008 Actually, no. What this returns is the username of the person who's logged in when the print job was submitted.