For Win XP and Win 7 Question

How do I know if a printer is actually there.
In Printers And FAXes it say all are ready but that is bogus.
I know one is off and is is "Ready". Haha.

Is there some printer ping or other test.

No, I do not want to print a test page since I will have to walk a mile
to see if it prints. Yes on the same LAN.