Printer for Dell Wyse Thin Client Windows Embbeded 7

Michi_II,

You may want to tell us what model of thin client you have. If your installed model has WTOS or Xenith Installed, you will not be able to install a printer queue. If you are using a WES7, or WE8S thin client, a print queue is not recommended. Please let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Dear Mister RMONTAVLO

I use different models. For example: Z90D8 (WIN8), D10D(THIN OS), D90D7 (WIN7 32-Bit), Z90D7(WIN7 32-Bit), 3209(WIN7 32-Bit), D90D8 (WIN8). I've tried to install with Windows "Start" Command and sharing printserver. It runs, but i've had to disable the writting filter. Could i be possible that i can install with registry merge? I want also to install with a bat-File with Scirpting Language. First step, send file (.bat) to c: (User) and then Execute bat-file. But as user in Commandline "Start" command is access denied. Also with browser the installing command to printserver is blocked.

Thanks for helping

Mike

Mike,

The first thing you need to understand is that a Thin client is not the same as a computer. As you have already discovered with the WES devices, you need to disable the Write Filter, and if you need to install anything, you need to use the Administrator account.

The other important thing that you should know about thin client is that the Flash used by thin clients is designed for Many Reads, and Few Writes, that's why we use the write filter (to minimize the write to the flash). We do not recommend that you install a print queue on the thin client since this implies many writes to the flash, reducing the life of the flash drive and possibly voiding the warranty.

"We do not recommend that you install a print queue on the thin client since this implies many writes to the flash"

Wait, what?

A locally attached printer requires that the thin client have a printer object created.  Disabling the filter in order to create this is exactly what we were directed to do.  When the filter is re-enabled, that should allow jobs to be sent to that print queue without being written to the flash, just like any other application activity.

Please further explain your answer, as readers of this forum should have some expectation of getting technically correct answers.

Thanks.

You can install the printer drivers by disabling the write filter. Once the driver is installed, enable the write filter. Go to www.wyse.com/kb and select the knowledge base tab. Search on "Third party drivers" for a knowledge base article on how to properly install drivers on a Windows-based thin client. The KB article is 10687.

Wait a second - you're completely ignoring your previous response.  Can you please explain how the installation of a local printer queue results in many writes to the flash, and is not recommended by Dell?  This is very important for some of use who are receiving contradictory information.

Thanks.

GueroJose,

Installing a Print Server is different than installing a Print Driver. You can install the print drivers on your WES7 thin client by disabling the FBWF first. Install the drivers and then then enable the FBWF. This is meant to service your personal printer.

More information on installing drivers on WES7 devices can be found at www.wyse.com/kb and search for document number "10687"

Yes, I realize that a driver is different from a server.  Where in the original post was it stated that he was wanting to make a thin client a print server?

And furthermore, even if one did create a print server on a client, I don't see how this would require many writes to the flash.  Seems to me like you may be trying to confuse the issue rather than acknowledging that your initial response was flat-out wrong.

GuroJose

I'm not trying to confuse anybody. In a printer server environment you have many people printing to the printer (print server). On an individual's thin client being used as a print client, you have 1 person printing. In a printer server, the print files are stored in the print queue, and the more print jobs from many people will increase the amount of files that need to be stored, hence more writing.

The flash drive installed on the thin client, unlike an SSD, was designed for many read cycles, few writes.

You will need to take that into consideration.

I appreciate your comments, but am hoping that you or someone in an official capacity at Dell can clarify.  If what you say is true, then this seems to be a major design flaw of the Wyse thin clients, and we will not be buying any more.  Please correct me if I have any of the following wrong:

1. Wyse clients (at least, the Z90D7) have both RAM and flash.
2. With the write filter enabled, NOTHING is written to flash; all changes are written to the write filter cache, which resides in RAM.
3. When the system is rebooted, the contents of the RAM cache are lost, and not written to the flash.
4. There is nothing about printing that requires the write filter to be OFF.
5. Print jobs are like any other type of transient data (documents, web pages, etc.), and would reside only in the write filter cache, in RAM; there is nothing about a print job that requires long term storage on the system, whether it's a locally attached or shared network printer.

"the more print jobs from many people will increase the amount of files that need to be stored, hence more writing".  Perhaps you can specifically explain this statement to any others who, like me, are not understanding what you mean.

Thanks.

GueroJose,

You are correct:

1. Wyse Windows-based thin client have Flash and RAM
2. With the FBWF enable, all writes are done on RAM and are deleted after reboot or logoff
3. A reboot or logoff will clean the RAM
4. As long as the FBWF is enabled, nothing (including print queues) will be written to flash
5. Print jobs, as long as the FBWF is enabled, are transient and will be deleted after signing off or reboot.

My apologies for the confusion.

To the original poster - I hope your question got answered.  If what you're trying to do is just create a printer queue, you should be able to disable the write filter, create the printer & install the driver, share the printer if you wish, then re-enable the filter.

Thanks.