How to add a printer port (lpt3)

Summary

This document describes how to add an LPT port to a computer based on Microsoft Windows Server 2003.It is also applicable to XP systems.

By default, three LPT available ports exist in Windows Server 2003, including LPT1, lpt2, and lpt3. You can add an additional LPT port until lpt9. After an additional LPT port is added, the port is displayed in the Add Printer wizard as the available printer port.

How to add an additional LPT Port

Click Start/run.

Note: improper use of the Registry Editor can cause serious problems. You may need to reinstall the operating system. Microsoft does not guarantee that it can solve problems caused by improper use of the Registry Editor. You are at your own risk to use the Registry Editor.

In the displayed dialog box, type regedit and click OK.

Find and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Ports

The current LPT port is displayed in the right pane.

On the editing menu, point to new, and then click the string value.

Enter a new value name. Type LPT #, where # is the serial number of the LPT port to be added, and then press Enter. For example, type lpt4.

Log out of Registry Editor from the File menu ".

Click Start/run.

In the displayed dialog box, type cmd and click OK.

Stop and restart the offline service. To do this, enter the following command at the command prompt and press enter after each line:

Net stop Spooler
Net start Spooler

Type exit to exit the command prompt.