Printing - Win2K and WinXP - need some info.

Hi all

Just wondering if there any experienced users out there that can help explain how the printing works in Win2K and what changed when they brought out XP.

My problem...

I have a service running that checks a certain network directory for a certain type of file. It then picks up that file and reads off certain information. Depending on the information read, it then prints out barcodes on 1 of our many barcode printers that are peppered around the LAN and WAN using the UNC names. The printers are Zebra and Datamax Allegros, and they have their own internal language so I have set them up in the PCs running the service as Generic/Text Only printers.

Now this service works like a dream on WinXP.

Win2K however is giving me a hell of a headache. It does everything its supposed to do, except for giving me barcodes at the printer end. ie the service copies files, does updates etc and also sends printouts. It seems the pintouts aren't getting there or they are been manipulated by Win2K to prduce undesirable results.

So I need to figure out if Win2K adds escape codes or something, even though Ive specified RAW or TEXT in the print processor properties.

Is there anyway of catching and viewing what Win2K is sending to the printer ?

OK well thats all I can think of. Any help or expertise explaining WIN2K printing to me would be much appreciated.

TIA

 

UPDATE:

The service prints to a HP laserjet without fault. This has definately got something to do with what Win2k sends as a printjob.

There are settings for the print processor : Does anybody know what I would use the different options for ?

RAW
RAW[FF appended]
RAW[FF Auto]
NT EMF (with 4 different versions)
TEXT

What does it send to the laser that is causing generic printers to ignore the job ? Thats what I need to figure out now.

 

Explanation of the options Here.

As to the other, I'm puzzled as well. XP should be doing things the same way 2K did for printers/printing.