Printing from a Laptop - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When I attempt to print a document an error message is displayed saying it cannot connect to WHITEHALL or address 129.105.203.9. Why is this?
Q. When I use Laptop Printing from home should I also bring a digital copy of my document with me to campus?
Q. When I print a document it is always duplexed (doubled-sided). How can I change this?
Q. I have a Macintosh computer; can I use the NUL Laptop printing system?
Q. Do any of the printers support color printing?
Q. What applications does this software work with?
Q. Why does the Pharos client attempt to update itself every time I print a document?
Q. Why does my print job not appear on the release station on campus?
Q. When I go to release my print job it asks for another password, why is this?
Q. Can I print out a job for a friend but have them release the job and pay for it without me being there?
Q. Does the NUL Laptop printing system support other Windows versions besides XP and Vista?
Q. Does the printing software affect my other printers?
Q. How do I make a printer my default printer?
Q. Can I install multiple NUL Laptop printers?
Q. I accidentally installed the wrong printer, can I remove one printer?
Q. When attempting to install a Laptop Printer I get an installation failed error message. Why is that?
Q. I have additional questions about this software, who do I contact?

Q. When I attempt to print a document an error message is displayed saying it cannot connect to WHITEHALL or address 129.105.203.9. Why is this?

A. This error message is usually an indication that your computer does not have a network connection and/or is not properly connected to the trusted Northwestern network. When off campus or on the dorm network you must use the Northwestern VPN before printing a document.

If you are not sure you are on the Northwestern network, you can use http://www.whatsmyip.org/ to verify your IP address is on the NU network. If it reports your IP address starts with either 129.105 or 165.124 then you are on the Northwestern network.
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Q. When I use Laptop Printing from home should I also bring a digital copy of my document with me to campus?

A. Yes, it is always a good idea to have an easily accessible digital backup of your document. We strive to keep the server running and avoid accidental removal of queued documents. However, with the sometimes unpredictable and cruel nature of computers, we cannot guarantee with 100% certainty your document will still be in the queue when you come to campus to release it.
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Q. When I print a document it is always duplexed (doubled-sided). How can I change this?

A. Duxplexing can be turned off on a per print job basis or as a system wide setting. The process of selecting single-sided printing varies from application to application but the general process is to load the printer properties for the printer, select the finishing tab and uncheck the print on both sides option.

For example in Word, you would go to the File menu and select Print. In Print dialogue box you would first select the printer you wish to use and then click the Properties button. On the Finishing tab uncheck “print on both sides” and then click Ok twice to print. The printer will revert back to duplexing the next time you attempt to print to the printer.

For a system wide change, load the Printers and Faxes window from the Start menu or Control Panel. Right click on the printer you wish to change and select Properties. Click the Advanced tab and then click on the “Printing Defaults” button. Select the Finishing tab and uncheck “Print On Both Sides”. Click Ok twice to save these settings. Note: This setting will return any time the printer software is updated. Please always verify the printer is selected to single-sided printing before printing important documents.
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Q. I have a Macintosh computer; can I use the NUL Laptop printing system?

A. Currently our Pharos print system does not have a good way to deploy printers to OS X systems. We hope they will have something in their next version.
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Q. Do any of the printers support color printing?

A. Yes, a printer located in the InfoCommons, Science & Engineering Library, and the Tech lab (Technological Institute, MG 51) supports color printing at a cost of $0.75 for a single-sided page and $1.40 for a double-sided (duplexed) page.
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Q. What applications does this software work with?

A. Any application that supports printing. As far as any application is concern, laptop printers are normal printers and should be unaffected.
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Q. Why does the Pharos client attempt to update itself every time I print a document?

A. The Pharos client is configured to check for updates every 7 days when you submit a print job.
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Q. Why does my print job not appear on the release station on campus?

A. There are three possible causes to this problem. First, all print jobs are automatically flushed from the system after 18 hours from submission. If you attempt to release a job after 24 hours it will not be in the system.

Second, release stations can only see print jobs for the printer they are associated to. For example, if you print something to the InfoCommons printer, only the release stations there can see the print job. If you accidentally submitted the print job to the wrong printer, please ask the local service desk to move the local printer for you. Please note: not all printers are compatible and your job may not properly print.
Third, print jobs are associated with the NetID entered in when submitting the job. The system does not check the validity of the NetID on job submission making it possible for you to submit a job with a mistyped NetID or password. Please ask the desk staff to see if your job is still in the print queue under a different NetID. To assist in finding the job you should know the approximate time of submission and name of your job.
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Q. When I go to release my print job it asks for another password, why is this?

A. On job submission Pharos does not validate your password. If you mistype your password, Pharos will store that in its database and prompt for it when you release the job. In situations like this, you will need to enter in what you believe you used as a password to release the job.
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Q. Can I print out a job for a friend but have them release the job and pay for it without me being there?

A. Yes, this is possible. Print the job as you would normally but enter in your friends’ NetID and a pre-agreed upon password. NOTE: Under no circumstances should you or your friend share your actual NetID password. Once the job is submitted your friend can log into the release station normally and when prompted, enter the pre-agreed upon password to release the job.
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Q. Does the NUL Laptop printing system support other Windows versions besides XP and Vista?

A. NUL only support printing on XP and Vista. It may be possible to install the client on other Windows operating systems but this is completely unsupported.
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Q. Does the printing software affect my other printers?

A. There should be no effect on any other printers you have. Note: If you have Pharos printers installed from another institution, it is highly recommended you completely uninstall them before installing the NUL Laptop printing software.
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Q. How do I make a printer my default printer?

A. From the Start menu or the Control Panel, open the Printers and Faxes window. Select the printer you wish to be the default, right click on it and select “set as default printer.” This works for any printer, not just library laptop printers.
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Q. Can I install multiple NUL Laptop printers?

A. Yes, the Pharos print system supports simultaneous installation of all printers listed on our website.
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Q. I accidentally installed the wrong printer, can I remove one printer?

A. Yes, you can remove one printer by opening up the Printers and Faxes window from either the Start menu or the Control Panel. In this window find the print you wish to remove, right click on it and select delete. This will remove the printer but retain other Pharos related applications on your computer. Please see this page for instructions on how to completely remove the Pharos software.
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Q. When attempting to install a Laptop Printer I get an installation failed error message. Why is that?

A. To install any of the Laptop Printers you must be an administrator on your computer. Unlike Windows Vista, Windows XP does not check to see if you have the necessary rights before starting the installation process. To solve this problem please contact your system administrator for help in running the setup program with administrative rights.
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Q. I have additional questions about this software, who do I contact?

A. You can contact the Main Library Reference Desk at refdept@northwestern.edu or 847-491-7656.
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