In our office, we are using Windows XP with run-time version (that comes bundled with X) for our users. There are few NT users that have MS-Access installed explicitly. For the XP users, we are finding a peculiar problem – whenever they are trying to print some report / form, the default printer ‘ACROBAT DISTILLER’ is picked up. When somebody unknowingly clicks OK, the printing goes to a different printer (on network) – some printer whom we do not know why picked up. However, if we delete the ACROBAT DISTILLER from the list of printer, then the next printer (in alphabetical order) is picked up – it never picks up the system default printer. Interestingly, when the print job is issued from word, ppt, XLS, browser, then the correct – system default printer is picked up. This is causing lot of trouble – confidential printings are getting printed in some other parts of the office. Any clue why this is happening and how we can force the ‘system default’ printer to be used. Thanks in advance, Best regards, Poolak

Okay, simple. Someone installed Acrobat program to create PDF files, on the workstation in question. It set the printer acrobat distiller as the default printer on that workstation. Open printer folder, right click on printer you want as default, and select set default from the property menu. Steve

Hi Steve, It is different. The system default printer is not disturbed, only printing from Access picks up acrobat distiller. We have set the default printer to some specific n/w printer and MS-word, XLS - all follow that rule in picking up the default priner. Also, in these PC, we never installed acrobat distiller. It is mysterious (to me)! Thanks in advance, Regards, Poolak

In order for a user to access the Adobe printer they would have had to install it as a shared network resource printer or installed it as an add-in to MS Access. I believe that MS Access will default to the last printer used. You should be able to remove the Adobe printer from the Printer folder and/or have the user use the drop down box in MS Access to select the correct and default printer. It should remember this printer the next time they print from MS Access. HTH Bryan

Hi Bryan, In our scenario, the MDB file is in fileserver and all people map to the drive and use it. Depending on the location persons and printers, default printer varies from person to person. I will try this but since it is a single copy of MDB file (shared by so many people), "last printer used" is a confusing thing. I wonder why things are stable in NT environment where MS access follows the system default printer (like Word, ppt do). The only difference in XP (in our case)is that we are using runtime Access on XP. Incidentally, the XP where the full functional Access is installed, the behaviour is like NT - the trouble is with XP + run-time Access. We are in difficult situation - appreciate your help. Best regards, Poolak