Environment
Novell iPrint Client for Windows 4.20
Novell iPrint for NetWare Novell NetWare 6.5
Novell iPrint for NetWare Novell NetWare 6.5
Situation
Error Message: The printer name is invalid
Error Group: Windows
Error Code: 1801
Error Group: Windows
Error Code: 1801
Resolution
Fix 1: Load NDPSM with consistent switches.
If you are implementing custom iPrint maps, then be sure to load the Manager using consistent /DNSNAME or /IPADDRESS values. If those values are going to change, then modify the custom map pages to reflect the change.
Fix 2: Review workstation's registry
Check the workstation's registry at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Novell-iPrint\Settings\Server Names. Do old ShortInstallName values exist under that location? If yes, delete those old values.
If you are implementing custom iPrint maps, then be sure to load the Manager using consistent /DNSNAME or /IPADDRESS values. If those values are going to change, then modify the custom map pages to reflect the change.
Fix 2: Review workstation's registry
Check the workstation's registry at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Novell-iPrint\Settings\Server Names. Do old ShortInstallName values exist under that location? If yes, delete those old values.
Additional Information
Cause:
Novell Support has seen two different reasons for this problem. More reasons could exist and will be documented as they are encountered. NOTE: The steps below will cause the problem, so don't implement them. The purpose of listing these steps is to help you understand how to get into this problem state.
Cause 1: /dnsname= parameter when loading NDPSM.NLM
Many iPrint customers use the /dnsname= switch when loading NDPSM. This causes the iPrint printers to be installed with that DNS name in the printer name instead of the server's IP Address. The following scenario can result in an 1801 error.
a. Load NDPSM with /dnsname=[someDNS_Name]
b. Add a printer to a custom iPrint map. This will cause the DNS name to be put in the ipp URL for the iPrint install parameters.
c. Unload NDPSM and then Load NDPSM with /dnsname=
This will cause the previous dns name value to be blanked out.
d. Workstation will receive the 1801 error when installing printers from the custom map page. But, they will not receive the error when installing from the default iPrint page (http://[ip_or_dns_iPrintServer]/ipp).
Cause 2: Changed ShortInstallName value
The ShortInstallName feature is enabled in sys:\Apache2\htdocs\ippdocs\iprint.ini. Change ShortInstallName = DEFAULT to ShortInstallName = [WhateverName]. This will require the printer to be re-installed to the workstation. Instead of the name in the Windows Printers folder displaying like:
[pa_name] on [ipp://IPorDNS]
The name will display as:
[pa_name] on [WhateverName]
This can shorten the length of the printer name a lot, especially if a DNS name is being used.
If a workstation has record in it's registry of a short name of X, and later the iprint.ini changes the value to Y, then the iPrint client can become confused and think the printer name is invalid.
Novell Support has seen two different reasons for this problem. More reasons could exist and will be documented as they are encountered. NOTE: The steps below will cause the problem, so don't implement them. The purpose of listing these steps is to help you understand how to get into this problem state.
Cause 1: /dnsname= parameter when loading NDPSM.NLM
Many iPrint customers use the /dnsname= switch when loading NDPSM. This causes the iPrint printers to be installed with that DNS name in the printer name instead of the server's IP Address. The following scenario can result in an 1801 error.
a. Load NDPSM with /dnsname=[someDNS_Name]
b. Add a printer to a custom iPrint map. This will cause the DNS name to be put in the ipp URL for the iPrint install parameters.
c. Unload NDPSM and then Load NDPSM with /dnsname=
This will cause the previous dns name value to be blanked out.
d. Workstation will receive the 1801 error when installing printers from the custom map page. But, they will not receive the error when installing from the default iPrint page (http://[ip_or_dns_iPrintServer]/ipp).
Cause 2: Changed ShortInstallName value
The ShortInstallName feature is enabled in sys:\Apache2\htdocs\ippdocs\iprint.ini. Change ShortInstallName = DEFAULT to ShortInstallName = [WhateverName]. This will require the printer to be re-installed to the workstation. Instead of the name in the Windows Printers folder displaying like:
[pa_name] on [ipp://IPorDNS]
The name will display as:
[pa_name] on [WhateverName]
This can shorten the length of the printer name a lot, especially if a DNS name is being used.
If a workstation has record in it's registry of a short name of X, and later the iprint.ini changes the value to Y, then the iPrint client can become confused and think the printer name is invalid.