When the Bit Count Does Not Match between the Server and the Client

If the print server is Windows Server 2008/Server 2008 R2/Server 2012/Server 2012 R2/Server 2016 and its OS bit count does not match that of the client computer, you may not be able to correctly install an additional driver on the print server.

To solve this problem, specify the setup information file (ntprint.inf) of the operating system with a different bit number when installing the additional driver on the print server.

The following describes how to install the additional driver by specifying a setup information file on a different computer from that of the print server.

Tips

  • Before starting this procedure, prepare to configure a different client computer from that of the print server and install the operating system that has a bit number different from that of the print server.

  • On the print server side, the system drive of the client computer is assigned as the network drive. Configure the setting to share the drive to be assigned in advance.

This example shows the operation when installing Windows Server 2008 (32-bit version) on the print server and Windows 7 (64-bit version) in the client computer.

  1. Configure the setting to share the drive (ordinarily, drive C) where the client computer's operating system is installed.

  2. On the print server, assign the drive (example: "C") of the client computer, which is shared in Step 1, as the network drive (example: "z").

  3. Install the 32-bit operating system driver on the print server.

  4. Open the Properties screen in the driver installed.

  5. Select the [Sharing] tab, and select the [Share this printer] check box.

  6. Click [Additional Drivers].

    The Additional Drivers page appears.

  7. Select the [x64] check box in the [Processor] column, and click [OK].

  8. Specify the folder that contains the 64-bit operating system driver.

    This displays a page to request a setup information file.

  9. Click [Browse], and specify the setup information file [ntprint.inf] in the client computer to which the network drive is assigned.

    supplementary explanationSpecify the following file.
    [z:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ntprint.inf_xxx]
    In the path above, "z" represents the assigned network drive. "_xxx" at the end of this path varies depending on the driver version.

    supplementary explanationThe setup information file may be stored at a different location depending on your client computer. If folder [amd64] resides in the same hierarchy as that of [ntprint.inf], specify a setup information file for 64-bit operating system under that folder. To additionally install a 32-bit operating system driver, specify a setup information file under folder [i386] that is in the same hierarchy as that of [ntprint.inf].

  10. Click [Open].

    Installation starts.

  11. When the installation is complete, click [Close].

    The additional installation of the 64-bit operating system driver is then completed.