First Powershell script

jimhadley · 2018-04-11T13:28:33.000Z

Ok so I am trying to get my feet wet in powershell. I want to start small so I figured that adding printer(s) using IP addresses would be the best way to do this. I found a script online that claims to work. I have made some changes to it to fit my environment.

Here is what I’m using.

Start-Process powershell.exe
Set-ExecutionPolicy -scope Process bypass
####################################################

Change these values to the appropriate values in your environment

$PrinterIP = “1.1.1.1”
$PrinterPort = “TCP/IP”
$PrinterPortName = “IP_” + $PrinterIP
$DriverName = “SAVIN SP 8300DN PCL 6”
$DriverPath = "\unc_path\to\my\drivers"
$DriverInf = “\unc_path\to\my\drivers\OEMSETUP.inf”
$PrinterCaption = “Printer_Name”
####################################################

ComputerList Option 1

$ComputerList = @(“Xname of my PC”)

ComputerList Option 2

$ComputerList = @()

Import-Csv “C:\Temp\ComputersThatNeedPrinters.csv” | `

% {$ComputerList += $_.Computer}

Function
CreatePrinterPort {
param ($PrinterIP, $PrinterPort, $PrinterPortName)
$wmi = [wmiclass]“\$ComputerName\root\cimv2:win32_tcpipPrinterPort”
$wmi.psbase.scope.options.enablePrivileges = $true
$Port = $wmi.createInstance()
$Port.name = $PrinterPortName
$Port.hostAddress = $PrinterIP
$Port.portNumber = $PrinterPort
$Port.SNMPEnabled = $false
$Port.Protocol = 1
$Port.put()
}
Function InstallPrinterDriver {
Param ($DriverName, $DriverPath, $DriverInf)
$wmi = [wmiclass]“\$ComputerName\Root\cimv2:Win32_PrinterDriver”
$wmi.psbase.scope.options.enablePrivileges = $true
$wmi.psbase.Scope.Options.Impersonation = `
[System.Management.ImpersonationLevel]::Impersonate
$Driver = $wmi.CreateInstance()
$Driver.Name = $DriverName
$Driver.DriverPath = $DriverPath
$Driver.InfName = $DriverInf
$wmi.AddPrinterDriver($Driver)
$wmi.Put()
}

Function CreatePrinter {
param ($PrinterCaption, $PrinterPortName, $DriverName)
$wmi = ([WMIClass]“\$ComputerName\Root\cimv2:Win32_Printer”)
$Printer = $wmi.CreateInstance()
$Printer.Caption = $PrinterCaption
$Printer.DriverName = $DriverName
$Printer.PortName = $PrinterPortName
$Printer.DeviceID = $PrinterCaption
$Printer.Put()
}
foreach ($computer in $ComputerList) {
CreatePrinterPort -PrinterIP $PrinterIP -PrinterPort $PrinterPort -PrinterPortName $PrinterPortName -ComputerName $computer InstallPrinterDriver -DriverName $DriverName -DriverPath
$DriverPath -DriverInf $DriverInf -ComputerName $computer
CreatePrinter -PrinterPortName $PrinterPortName -DriverName `
$DriverName -PrinterCaption $PrinterCaption -ComputerName $computer
}
####################################################

I am using Powershell ISE (running as as admin) when I run the first 2 lines of the script I do get the powershell window to come up and the prompt for "The Execution policy helps you from scripts… " I click yes and then I do the command PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> get-executionpolicy
Bypass (and that’s showing)

Where I’m failing is right after that when I try to run the whole script. The Script appears to run but it’s not creating the port or any part of it. I do not get any errors. I am using “Option 1” as I have several different printers in several differnt locations, and I don’t really need to set up a “mass” of PC’s right now. Ideally I would like to be able to add several printer to this script so I can just run it once and be done with it. Also not have to put in the name of the PC. I would like to just be logged in as admin (or myself … I am a domain admin) and run the script and all of the printers would be installed.
I have chanaged the IP address, path statements and PC name, but I have those correct in the script a

Thank you.

Neally · 2018-04-11T13:35:42.000Z

Welcome!

If you post code, please use the ‘Insert Code’ button. Please and thank you!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING! Read if you're new to the PowerShell forum! Programming & Development

Hi, and welcome to the PowerShell forum! Don’t apologize for being a “noob” or “newbie” or “n00b.” There’s just no need – nobody will think you’re stupid, and the forums are all about asking questions. Just ask! Use a descriptive subject. Don’t say “Need help” or “PowerShell Help”, actually summarize what the problem is. It helps the rest of us keep track of which problem is which. Don’t post massive scripts. We’re all volunteers and we don’t have time to read all that, nor will we copy…

jitensh · 2018-04-11T13:49:28.000Z

Its cool you are getting your hands on Powershell, but there are few things you can do more efficiently by not usi, in this case,se use GPO

learn.microsoft.com

Step-By-Step: Setting up Printers via Group Policy

zed · 2018-04-11T14:10:53.000Z

That looks REALLY complicated.

I recently wrote a script to add printers. If the drivers are on the machine already, you don’t even need admin rights to do it.

There’s 3 commandlets you need:

Add-PrinterDriver -Name $Drivername -InfPath [Path to .inf]
Add-PrinterPort -Name $portname -PrinterHostAddress [IPAddress]  
Add-Printer -Name "StupidCopier" -DriverName $Drivername -PortName $portname

If drivers are already installed you can use Get-Printerdriver | select Name and set $Drivername to it’s exact name in double quotes.

jimhadley · 2018-04-11T15:03:30.000Z

@ Neally Ok sorry I will use the insert code next time

@ JitenSh Thanks I will look into that. Question for you we do not use a print server it’s all printing by IP is that still possible ?

@ Andrew2816 I’ve looked at that but here’s my logic behind not doing that . I have 56 printers across 6 sites, a few have the same drivers. So I would have to put all of the drivers on all of the machines. We currently do no use PXE boot or imaging, so I don’t really have a way to do that easily. Of course I’m not looking at changing current setups, just speeding up my repetitious and time consuming process(es)

Thank you all for the in site.

DoctorDNS · 2018-04-11T16:41:16.000Z

Why not start simple. Begin by creating a printer port. Then create a printer and install drivers. When you have each function running, THEN put it all together.

zed · 2018-04-11T18:16:42.000Z

JimbobH:

@ Neally Ok sorry I will use the insert code next time

@ JitenSh Thanks I will look into that. Question for you we do not use a print server it’s all printing by IP is that still possible ?

@ Andrew2816 I’ve looked at that but here’s my logic behind not doing that . I have 56 printers across 6 sites, a few have the same drivers. So I would have to put all of the drivers on all of the machines. We currently do no use PXE boot or imaging, so I don’t really have a way to do that easily. Of course I’m not looking at changing current setups, just speeding up my repetitious and time consuming process(es)

Thank you all for the in site.

I would say if you can do it with GPO, that would be much easier.

In my case, all of my machines are not domain joined and I’ve got hundreds of printers across 20+ locations.

I created a spreadsheet (.csv) of my whole printer fleet with headers like their name, IP, Driver, and default gateway. Then I wrote this script that will allow users to pick from a list of printers at their location to install. All needed drivers are already installed so no admin rights are required though, I believe you could specify the .inf path and run it elevated and it should work fine.

#Gets your current Default Gateway
$Gateway = Get-wmiObject Win32_networkAdapterConfiguration |
           where {$_.IPEnabled} | select -ExpandProperty DefaultIPGateway

#Imports data from the CSV for everything matching your gateway
$mysite  = Import-csv -Path \\101.2.0.30\lwnw\scripts\Printeradd\printers.csv | where Gateway -eq $Gateway

#=====Listbox GUI=======
$wshell = New-Object -ComObject Wscript.Shell

[void] [System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("System.Windows.Forms")
[void] [System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("System.Drawing") 

$objForm = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Form 
$objForm.Text = "Select a Printer to Install"
$objForm.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(300,200) 
$objForm.StartPosition = "CenterScreen"

$objForm.KeyPreview = $True
$objForm.Add_KeyDown({if ($_.KeyCode -eq "Enter") 
    {$x=$objListBox.SelectedItem;$objForm.Close()}})
$objForm.Add_KeyDown({if ($_.KeyCode -eq "Escape") 
    {$objForm.Close()}})

$OKButton = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
$OKButton.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(75,120)
$OKButton.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(75,23)
$OKButton.Text = "OK"
$OKButton.Add_Click({$x=$objListBox.SelectedItem;$objForm.Close()})
$objForm.Controls.Add($OKButton)

$CancelButton = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
$CancelButton.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(150,120)
$CancelButton.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(75,23)
$CancelButton.Text = "Cancel"
$CancelButton.Add_Click({$objForm.Close()})
$objForm.Controls.Add($CancelButton)

$objLabel = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
$objLabel.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(10,20) 
$objLabel.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(280,20) 
$objLabel.Text = "Please select a printer to install:"
$objForm.Controls.Add($objLabel) 

$objListBox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.ListBox 
$objListBox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(10,40) 
$objListBox.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(260,20) 
$objListBox.Height = 80

#Populates the listbox with printers on your subnet
foreach ($i in $mysite)
{
[void] $objListBox.Items.Add($i.printername)
}

$objForm.Controls.Add($objListBox) 

$objForm.Topmost = $True

$objForm.Add_Shown({$objForm.Activate()})
[void] $objForm.ShowDialog()

$selected = $objListBox.SelectedItem

$selectedprinter = $mysite | where printername -EQ $selected

#installs the printer

If ($selected -eq $null)
{
$wshell.Popup("No Printer Selected",0,"Done",0x1)
}
Else {
Add-PrinterDriver -Name $selectedprinter.PrinterDriver
Add-PrinterPort -Name $selectedprinter.IPAddress -PrinterHostAddress $selectedprinter.IPAddress  
add-printer -Name $selectedprinter.PrinterName -DriverName $selectedprinter.PrinterDriver -PortName $selectedprinter.IPAddress
$wshell.Popup("$selected has been added.",0,"Done",0x1)
}

Making GUIs in powershell is ridiculous but I just copy/pasted boilerplate code for a listbox.

jimhadley · 2018-04-12T09:21:14.000Z

Thanks all for the point in the right direction, I had a co-worker take a look and he got it working using pretty much what @ Andrew2816 said, he even figured out how to install the drivers without them already on the machine.

Now on to add to this so I can get powershell scripts for all of my sites

ltson · 2018-04-13T13:09:54.000Z

@JimbobH

Welcome to PowerShell!
I’m still a noob myself, and I probably spend too much time playing with scripts that haven’t gotten anywhere, but the ones that have worked out have saved me HOURS every week. Find every repetitive task you have and beat at it with PowerShell!

Eternal thanks to @Neally and @JitenSh ! They have both helped me directly and indirectly because their posts are always super helpful.

@alexw @jitensh

Neally · 2018-04-13T13:58:32.000Z

Neally is just allergic to GUIs with PowerShell … :¬)