How to Print from a Windows-Based Virtual Machine in Virtual PC

This article discusses the different modes that you can use to print from a Microsoft Windows-based virtual machine in Virtual PC.

Printing Modes for Virtual PC

Virtual PC 5.0 and later has three modes that you can use to print:

• Emulated printing
• Networked printing
• Universal serial bus (USB) printing

When you use Emulated printing, Windows sends your document to a virtual printer. Virtual PC then uses the Apple Mac OS printing system to print the document from the Macintosh computer's default printer.

When you use Networked printing, Windows sends your document to a Windows-based networked printer by using Windows-based printer drivers. Network printing takes full advantage of your printer's printing features.

When you use USB printing, Windows sends your document directly to the printer, either through USB or through the network. USB printing takes full advantage of your printer's printing features.

The following methods explain how to configure and to install the various printing options for Virtual PC versions 5 and 6.

Method 1: Configure Emulated Printing in Windows

If you installed your own copy of Windows, you must use Add Printer Wizard in Windows to install the appropriate Macintosh printer.

Mac OS Setup

If you have never printed to your printer from a Macintosh program before, you must install the appropriate Macintosh printer drivers (if they are not already installed) and select your printer in the Apple Mac OS 9 Chooser or in the Apple Mac OS X Printer Center as the default printer. See the appropriate Apple Mac OS Help Center topic for more information about how to install and configure printer drivers. Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

Windows-Based Virtual Machine Setup

Install the Macintosh Printer (Inkjet) Driver

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Double-click Add a Printer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Local printer attached to this computer.
5. Click to clear the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play Printer check box.
6. Click Next.
7. Click LPT1 port, and then click Next.
8. In the Manufacturers box, click Epson.
9. In the Printers box, click Epson AP-3260, and then click Next.
10. Under Printer Name, type Mac Printer (Inkjet).
11. Under Do you want to use this printer as the default printer, click Yes.
12. Click Next, and then click Do not share this printer.
13. Click Next, and then click No under Do you want to print a test page.
14. Click Next, and then click Finish.

Install the Macintosh Printer (PostScript) Driver

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Double-click Add a Printer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Local printer attached to this computer.
5. Click to clear the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play Printer check box.
6. Click Next.
7. Click LPT1 port, and then click Next.
8. In the Manufacturers box, click Apple.
9. In the Printers box, click Apple LaserWriter II NT, and then click Next.
10. Under Printer Name, type Mac Printer (PostScript).
11. Under Do you want to use this printer as the default printer, click Yes.
12. Click Next, and then click Do Not Share this printer.
13. Click Next, and then click No under Do you want to print a test page.
14. Click Next, and then click Finish.

Method 2: Configure Network Printing

If you are printing to a printer that is attached to a Windows-based network, follow these steps:

Mac OS Setup

No setup is required in Mac OS. Network printing does not use the Macintosh computer's printing system.

Windows-Based Virtual Machine Setup

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Double-click Add a Printer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Network printer, and then click Next.
5. Click Browse to locate the shared printer on the network.
6. Click OK, and then click Next.
7. Set the printer name. Click Next.
8. Print a test page, and then click Finish.
9. Windows configures your printer, and then it copies the printer driver through the network.

Method 3: Configure USB Printing

To take full advantage of your USB printer's printing features, you must configure Windows with specific knowledge about your printer. To use USB printing, your printer must be connected directly to your Macintosh computer by using a USB cable. If your printer uses a USB-to-serial port adapter or a USB-to-parallel port adapter, you must use Emulated printing.

USB printing also requires a USB printer driver for Windows. Earlier versions of Windows (Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT) cannot use USB printing because these operating systems do not include support for USB devices. When you are running a virtual machine that is configured to use USB printing, the printer is not available to Mac OS or to other virtual machines.

Mac OS Setup

No setup is required in Mac OS. USB printing does not use the Macintosh computer's printing system.

Virtual PC Setup

1. Start Virtual PC.
2. Click Settings in the Virtual PC List dialog box.
3. Click USB.
4. Click to select the Enable USB check box.
5. Click to select the check box for the USB printer that you want to use.
6. Click OK.

Note When you enable USB in Virtual PC, it effectively "disconnects" the printer from your Macintosh computer's USB port and "connects" it to the virtual USB port of the virtual machine. While the virtual machine is running, the printer is not available to Mac OS. If Mac OS tries to use the printer while the Windows-based virtual machine is running, Mac OS behaves like the printer is physically disconnected and it generates an error message.

Typically, the printer is automatically returned to the control of Mac OS when you close the virtual machine window, or when you quit Virtual PC. Sometimes, the printer may not appear in Mac OS when Virtual PC releases it. If this problem occurs, physically turn off the printer, disconnect its USB cable, turn the printer on, and then reconnect it.

Windows-Based Virtual Machine Setup

The Windows USB printer setup procedure for a virtual machine is the same as the procedure that you follow for a real personal computer. If you have the CD that came with the printer, follow the instructions that came with it. If you downloaded the printer driver from the printer manufacturer, follow the instructions that came with the driver. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer' instructions exactly. The order that you perform the steps in can be crucial.

Note Epson printers require special setup instructions.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about how to print from Virtual PC 6.0, see the help topic How to Print with Virtual PC:

• On the Help menu, click How To Print with Virtual PC.

For more information about how to print from Virtual PC 5.0, see the help topic About Printing:

1. On the Help menu, click Virtual PC Help.
2. Click Help Topics, and then click Printing.

You can access the Virtual PC help topic from Help Center by following these steps:

1. On the Help menu, click Mac Help.
2. In the Help Center pane, click Virtual PC Help.
3. Click Help Topics, and then click Printing.