Need help with Windows XP Home

TerryHough · Post by **TerryHough** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:18 pm

This isn't specifically a PB problem... but I need help.

I have to be able to run a legacy program from the MSDOS era that
prints to LPT1. Up through Win98SE and even on Win2000 this was never
a real problem... just captured the LPT port when I told the system that
the printer would be used to print from MSDOS programs.

Now, I am having problems doing this with Windows XP Home. There
doesn't seem to be a way to capture the port like before.

The Win XP Help file says to mark the printer as shared and then use the
command NET USE LPT1: \\NOTEBOOK\PRINTER /PERSISTENT:YES
at the command prompt.

The PRINTER is shared but unless the system is connected to a network
the above command cannot find the shared printer. Once connected to
a network the command works correctly and the MSDOS program can
successfully print to the printer.

However, this is a standalone system. It is not normally connected to a
network. How can I get to the shared printer in that case.

I hope someone can give me a clue... I am pulling my hair out.

TIA
Terry

GedB · Post by **GedB** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:58 pm

Have you tried creating a File printer.

In the Add Printer Wizard

1) Choose local printer and remove the check for auto detecting. Next.

2) In "Use the following port" choose FILE: (Print to file). Next

3) Select Generic / Text Only

TerryHough · Post by **TerryHough** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:37 pm

GedB wrote:Have you tried creating a File printer.

There is probably a clue there, but I don't get it.

The printer was installed as a local printer and shared. It works perfectly
with Windows program printing.

I just can't get the old MSDOS program to print at all. It is trying to send
output to LPT1 but cannot find it.

If I missed your point, chastise me and tell me more.

Terry

blueznl · Post by **blueznl** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:19 pm

-> control panel
-> printers
-> select your printer
-> properties
-> ports
-> select the printer port you want to assign

from now on printing to that port will print to that printer

(and this does not belong in this area, mod, could this be moved to off-topic?)

TerryHough · Post by **TerryHough** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:50 pm

Thanks blueznl (and I am chastised for posting in the wrong area)

Your pointers are appreciated but don't solve the problem. Been there,
done that, as they say.

The problem is that a MSDOS program (no matter how compatibility is set)
will not print to LPT1 directly. In other versions, this is handled by
capturing the printer port. In WinXP this is handled differently and there
is no "capture" setup.

Using WinXP Home, try copying a text file to LPT1 directly. If it works for
you, please tell me exactly how the printer is setup.

Terry

GedB · Post by **GedB** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:53 am

Sorry Terry, completely missed your point.

I thought you were capturing the printer port and redirecting to a file.

Please ignore my ramblings.