Force character printer

I am installing a dot matrix printer for a business app. running from a DOS shell. I need the printer to be treated as a character printer with no spooling. Is there any way to do this with Windows 2000.

Thanks

RT

 

Why!!!???

Is it because you mistakenly think not spooling will allow you to print from a DOS program?

If you have other reasons to want to do this explain why and what you are trying to accomplish.

If all you need is to print from a DOS program get back and I will tell you how!

Mike

 

Yes all I need is to print from command shell.

I have been able to get the application to print. However, inconsistently and, when it does print, very slow response.

If you know of any way to get the app to print every time quickly, I'm open to trying anything.

Thanks
-RT

 

OK!

What brand and model of printer?

Does it print a windows test page correctly and at normal speed?

What port is it installed on, LPT1? Or is it attached by com port or Network share?

What port does your dos program expect to print to?

Mike

 

I will be away traveling for the next week beginning tomorrow Tuesday after 3 PM.

Just checking is this issue resolved?

Mike

 

If this was resolved please post what was done.

It may be of help to others.

Mike

 

No

This has not been resolved.
I haven't had time to work with it in the past week and will more than likely not have time this week either. As soon as I pick this project back up I'll post.

 

- Okidata Microline 320 Turbo
- Yes, it prints Win Test Page normally
- Installed on Lpt1 and is shared out. (most comps will print via network however right now I'm trying to print locally to Lpt1, I'll cross the network share bridge later)
- DOS expects to print to Lpt1

- It does not print if 'Print Directly to Printer' is selected

 

Do me 2 more tests!

1. Start-Run-CMD
in open cmd prompt
type (or paste) the below and hit enter

dir >lpt1

Should print a directory of the folder the cmd prompt is in.

2. Print something from MS Word or Notepad.

Did the issues effect the above?

Mike

 

Now only once the above is done and posted back to me.

Go to Device mgr-then to Ports (COM & LPT).

First how is printer listed?
ECP printer port etc?

Next dbl click that port.

Click port settings. Where is dot? Never use an interupt?

Is the Enable legacy Plug and play box checked?

Don't change anything yet depends on ECP setting just get me the info.

Also reboot go into BIOS setup. Find LPT port settings for LPT1 and the possible settings, don't change but let me know what is available.

Mike

 

dir >lpt1 OK!
print from notepad OK!

From Device Manager:
ECP Port (LPT1)
Dot = 'Never Use an interupt'
Enable Legacy PnP is NOT checked

From BIOS: Parallel Port Setup:
Port [Enabled]
Mode [ECP]
Base I/O Address [378]
Interrupt [IRQ7]
DMA Channel [DMA3]

 

OK!

Do this

device mgr
use irq 7
enable legacy

Reboot for these changes to take place.

Do the above first but you will get slightly more performance if your BIOs has EPP support. If you do go to EPP then make sure the device manager settings stick after the change.

Mike

 

Still nothing.

It prints from windows (notepad, etc...) and piping from DOS, but nothing from my dos app.

The printer will show that it is spooling for about 15 seconds, then show printing and another document will start spooling. repeat...repeat ... repeat

If I select in printer properties to hold printed jobs I get a very full spool log very quickly as the printer is acting like it is recieving a new job every 15-20 secs or so.

I'm confussed and now remember why I dislike printers.

 

Did you have the EPP?

In the printer icon settings Advanced and try print directly to the printer.

Mike

 

Yes, EPP

When I select 'Print Directly to Printer' it either prints nothing (from dos app) or communication error and doesn't print (from notepad).

-

 

Geeze

One other important question, is the dos program on this HD or from a network share?

OK put it back to spooling.

Does the dos program have any Config or settings for the printer?

Also have you set the Compatability of this program back to Win95?

Win 2000 SP4

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279792

Another track: DOSBOX
http://www.dosbox.com/

Mike

 

One other thing to try that i have used before!

Do this first before my last post.

Share the printer if not already shared give it a share name say DM (for dot matrix).


Once shared go to cmd prompt and type

net use lpt1 \\computername\dm /persistent:yes

now run the different tests.

Mike

 

OK this may be it!

In the printer control panel select Ports-Configure Port.

Change timing from 90 to 15.

Mike

 

OK,

The printer prints fine all windows aplications. Once I try to print from the dos app I can no longer print from anything, even if I 'cancel all documents'.

I think it is not so much a windows problem as what the app is sending to the printer. So now the program in a little more detail....

It is a point of sale application, the print command is to print an invoice. In native dos enviroment it works fine. The application sends the invoice as well as printer formatting info (pitch, quality, etc...), I'm not sure how differently this info is from dos (character based print) to windows (graphics based print), but I'm pretty sure this is where my problem is comming in.