Question : How to release connections to XP shares automatically

Hi

I recently had to reload a XP machine due to the HP scanner drivers and application, having lost some sort of sync. But anyways, after I have done this, the XP machine has always been used as a print server. Now after the install I have to sometimes connect 20 times a day to the PC and close the sessions, this is unacceptable for me.

I know XP Pro has got the 10 connection limit, and at no single 1 time will 10 users print at the same time. But these connections are not being released, if I go to computer management -> shared folders -> open files, all these connections access  \PIPE\spoolss.

I have already set the autodisconnect pamameter with net config to zero. But still these connections are not being dropped, I don't need a print server nor do I need to get server 2003 for doing this.  As I said, everything was working fine before the reinstall.

Any ideas? I have got a server running server SBS 2003, if I share the printer through that PC will this in theory only create one connection to the XP Pro machine with the printer attached? I don't want to do this... but as a last resort I may...

Answer : How to release connections to XP shares automatically

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314882 - This Microsoft KB seems to be the answer. I changed the default AutoDIsconnect time from 15 minutes to 1 minute. With this change a persons connection is dropped 1 minute after they print, therefore freeing up the connection for someone else to use which is exactly the behavior I was looking for. Hope that helps you!